This spring, from 2nd October to 6th November 2026, Taranaki once again comes alive with stories, places and people from across the region’s past. Taranaki Heritage Month offers six weeks of events designed to celebrate, question and rediscover our shared history – and to remind us that a deeper understanding of yesterday helps us build a stronger tomorrow.
The programme is rich and varied. It opens with a panel discussion asking the question: Is Heritage an investment in Our Future – or a Barrier to Progress? Chaired by director, writer and actor, Katie Wolfe, and comprising panellists including Dean Raymond (Central Region Area Manager, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga); Kevin Doody (developer); Peter Reed (heritage architect); Gina Blackburn (NPDC councillor); Sean Zieltjes (project manager and planner); and Elizabeth Pishief (Historic Places Aotearoa chair). The panel discussion is followed the next day by a heritage building forum, examining the challenges and opportunities associated with restoration and adaptive reuse.
From there, the month unfolds through a series of engaging experiences including walks and tours through the Te Hēnui Cemetery, East End Reserve and Te Hēnui Walkway, Pukekura Park, central Ngāmotu, Inglewood and Hāwera. There are also archival film screenings by the Taranaki Media Archive in Ngāmotu, Ōpunakē and Hāwera, a talk at Mōkau Museum focused on how museums and community organisations can work together, and a very special visit to Parikaka Papakāinga to learn about the Parihaka story.
We are extremely fortunate to have author and academic Richard Shaw (The Forgotten Coast, The Unsettled, The Good Settler) return for a wide-ranging conversation about forgotten colonial histories, selective historical amnesia, and some of the ways in which our colonial past continues to shape our present. Shaw will be joined by Bernard Leuthart (Pou Whakahaere Tākutatanga / Clinical Director of Tui Ora).
This year Charlotte MacDonald, author and Victoria University academic, will make her Taranaki Heritage Month debut during the Landpro Speaker Event. Charlotte will discuss her recently published book Garrison World: Redcoat Soldiers in New Zealand and across the British Empire. Widely praised as a landmark contribution to New Zealand’s colonial history, the book has been recognised with major accolades, including the 2026 Ernest Scott Prize.
The team at Puke Ariki have once again offered up a fantastic range of events. These include a sequel to last year’s talk exploring Taranaki women’s voices, a presentation sharing insights from the ongoing project to digitise and conserve the important Feaver Collection of 10,000 glass plate negatives from Ōpunakē, a talk looking at the life of colonial plantswoman Mary Mitchinson of Ngāmotu’s Caledonian Nursery, and an event to bring generations together and celebrate grandparents’ week.
The Waitara Heritage Railway trip is back by popular demand, as is the tour of Heritage Preservation, our very own cultural heritage preservation studio. A service to reflect on the 1881 invasion of Parihaka, as well as a commemoration of the 1860 battle of Mahoetahi, to be attended by members of Ngāti Hauā, will again take place in November.
This year we are, for the first time, running children’s colouring in competitions throughout heritage month. So, get set to unleash your creativity and add some colour to two Taranaki heritage icons – Pukekura Park and the Hāwera Water Tower.
Many events are free or koha based, with a few requiring pre-registration, making the month an inclusive celebration for all. Whether you’re a lifelong local tracing the footsteps of your ancestors, or a visitor curious to learn more about Taranaki’s unique story, there is something here to capture your imagination.
This October and November, step into the story of Taranaki told by local people and communities. Heritage Month is your invitation to explore, reflect and be inspired.
Our full programme of events is available HERE.
Keep up-to-date with Taranaki Heritage Month events and other heritage news on Heritage Taranaki’s FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM.
