Focus Weekend: Hutt Valley, 2nd - 3rd November 2024
Wellington Heritage Festival 2024 spans over 4 weekends between 26th October - 17th November, each with a different regional focus. We're continuing with our second Focus Weekend, shinning a spotlight on incredible events across the Hutt Valley on the weekend of Saturday 2nd - Sunday 3rd November.
With our Focus Weekends system, you can experience multiple heritage-themed events across the region in a single weekend, minimizing travel time and maximizing your experience. Whether you're interested in walking tours, creative heritage, or unique historical insights, there's something for everyone.
We'll release more blog posts like this one in the coming weeks, you can read our previous blog post Pōneke Focus Weekend now, with 2 more focus weekends releasing soon. Keep an eye on our website to discover more!
Discover The Heritage of Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt
From Petone to Mangaroa, delve into the captivating stories that have shaped Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt into the communities they are today. During this weekend you can connect with the past by exploring the many open days, exhibitions and hands on experiences throughout the valley. Below are only SOME of the events in the area; there are many more options around the wider region on our Events page!
Saturday, 2nd November
Discover Nuku Tewhatewha at The Dowse 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday | The Dowse Art Museum, 45 Laings Road, Lower Hutt | Free - Find out more Start your weekend by exploring the Nuku Tewhatewha exhibition at The Dowse Art Museum and discover more about one of Te Awa Kairangi’s greatest treasures.
Petone Wharf - Captured in Art and Photography 10.30am-4pm Tuesday-Sunday | 223 The Esplanade, Lower Hutt | Free - Find out more Continue your day down by the seaside, visiting the Artspace Gallery to see an exhibition of photographs, art and prints celebrating Petone’s historic wharf.
Robert Orr Historic Homestead Open Day 10am-5pm Sat 2 & Sun 3 Nov | 132 Kings Crescent, Lower Hutt | Koha - Find out more Heading up the valley, explore the beautifully ornate Robert Orr Historic Homestead. Originally built in 1885, the house contains historical artefacts collected by the family over the years. Take a breather and relax in the historic gardens before continuing your journey.
Upper Hutt Blockhouse Open Day 11am-3pm Sat 2 Nov | Blockhouse Lane, off McHardie Street Trentham, Upper Hutt | Free - Find out more A rare opportunity to explore this Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga property. Inside is an exhibition from Whirinaki Whare Taonga, telling the early story of Upper Hutt and its Blockhouse.
Golder Cottage Open Days 1:30-4pm Sat 2 Nov + 3 other dates | 707 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt | Koha on 2 Nov, $5 other dates - Find out more Finish off the day just a short walk away at the Golder Cottage where you can see how our early pioneers lived long before the modern conveniences of running water and electricity.
Sunday, 3rd November
Wellington Vintage Machinery Open Days 10am-3:30pm Sun 3 Nov + 2 other dates | 155a Mangaroa Hill Road, Upper Hutt | Koha - Find out more Kick off your Sunday by getting an up-close and hands on experience with the machinery of yesteryear. A traction engine and many other pieces of machinery will be running, including vintage tractors that you may even get to drive.
City of Industry: An Exhibition Celebrating Upper Hutt’s Industrial Heritage 9:30am-4pm Sun 3 Nov, + other dates | Upper Hutt Central Library, 844 Fergusson Drive | Free - Find out more Make your way down to see this exhibition that celebrates Upper Hutt’s brief reign as an industrial powerhouse through images, objects and the stories of those who made it possible.
Home: One City, Many Cultures 10am-4pm daily | 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt | Koha - Find out more Just two doors down you will find To Whirinaki Whare Taonga where you can experience the 'Home: One City, Many Cultures' exhibition, sharing the struggles and joys of ten families who travelled from other countries to make Upper Hutt their home.
Your Story: Naenae Shopping Centre 9.30am-5.30pm Monday-Saturday | Naenae Neighbourhood Hub, Lower Hutt | Free - Find out more Finish up your weekend with a visual history on the evolution of the Naenae Shopping Centre between 1940 and 1980 and read stories from the community.
Make the Most of Your Weekend
With so many events dotted along the Hutt Valley, enjoying a full day or weekend of heritage-themed activities is easy. Here are some tips to make the most of your time:
Plan Ahead: Check the event timings and locations to plan your day. Some events are within walking distance, making it easy to move from one to the next.
Secure Your Spots: Some events in our Festival require bookings and are selling out fast! Book your tickets where necessary to make sure you don't miss out. You can see which events require bookings on our Events page.
Explore More: Between events, take the time to explore other attractions, grab a bite to eat and explore nearby shops.
Stay Engaged: Don’t forget to share your experiences on social media using our festival hashtag #whf24 and check out our website for more information about the full festival lineup.
Explore More Heritage
This weekend line up is just one way to experience the Wellington Heritage Festival. With so many events to explore across the Greater Wellington Region, there’s no better time to dive into the past and discover the stories that shape the present. Be sure to check out our previous Pōneke Focus Weekend blog post and check back for future posts highlighting our other Focus Weekends as the Festival continues.
To see the full schedule for the festival, visit our events page.