Focus Weekend: Wairarapa, 16th - 17th November 2024

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.

You can also read our previous blog posts Pōneke Focus Weekend, Hutt Valley Focus Weekend and Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, & Tawa Focus Weekend. Keep an eye on our website to discover more!

Discover The Heritage of the Wairarapa

This year the festival has expanded even further into the Wairarapa, which means we now cover the entire Greater Wellington region! On the weekend of the 16th-17th November we focus in on the breathtaking Wairarapa with some truly one-of-a-kind heritage and culture experiences to share. Below are only SOME of the events in the area; there are many more options around the wider region on our Events page!

Saturday, 16th November

• Forgotten Lives: Masterton Cemetery 10-11:30am Sat 16 Nov | Masterton Cemetery carpark, Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton | Free - Booking required Join renowned historian and archivist Gareth Winter as he takes you through the tales of some of the region's unusual characters laid to rest at the Masterton Cemetery.

• Llandaff Historic Homestead Tour 1-4pm Sat 16 Nov | 183 Upper Plain, Masterton | Costs vary - Booking required Continue your day with an afternoon tour of the 1880’s historic homestead. A Shakespeare presentation awaits you in the gardens before starting your visit, followed with a tour on the history of the property and finishing off with afternoon tea.

• Bespoke Wheelwrighting Experience 10am-12pm, 2-4pm, 7-9pm Sat 16 Nov | 2070 Longbush Road, Gladstone, Wairarapa | $40 + Booking fee -Booking required Don't miss this incredible hands-on experience at Aotearoa's one and only functioning Wheel and Carriage Works. Learn about the fascinating history of wheelwrighting and participate in a hands-on wheel trying experience over an open fire!

Sunday, 17th November

• The U.S. Marine Corps in Masterton 9-10am Sun 17 Nov | Solway Showgrounds, corner of Fleet and York Street, Masterton | Free - Booking required Start your Sunday with a talk on the history of the United States Marine Corps in Masterton 1942-43 and see where they camped and lived in a showground that has changed very little since their stay.

• Cinema Walk + Film Screening 1:30-3:30pm Sun 17 Nov | Outside Regent 3 Cinemas, Queen Street, Masterton | Free - Booking required From the golden age of cinema through to the present day, learn about the rich history of cinema and theatre in Masterton starting with a Cinema Walk along Queen Street followed by a free archival film screening at Aratoi.

Other Wairarapa Events

• The Wairarapa Journey - Wairarapa Moana Bus Tour 9:40am-2pm Sun 3 Nov | Featherston Railway Station, Featherston | $25 - Booking required Learn about the Wairarapa Moana Journey through this insightful bus tour led by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. Each stop along the tour revealing the heritage stories, cultural perspective and ecological perspective of the area with a particular focus on the wetlands restoration being undertaken at Wairarapa Moana.

• Tour of the Wairarapa Archive 3:30-5pm Fri 15 Nov | 3 Albert Street, Masterton | Free - Booking required See the archive process from donation to storage on a tour of the Wairarapa Archive, one of the country’s largest and best-known community archives.

Make the Most of Your Weekend

With many exciting events throughout the Wairarapa, 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 nearby, 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 lineup 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 incredible stories that shape the present.

Be sure to check out our previous blog posts: Pōneke Focus Weekend Hutt Valley Focus Weekend Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, & Tawa Focus Weekend

To see the full schedule for the festival, visit our events page.