’twas the week before Christmas
It’s the week leading up to Christmas, but there are still a few things to explore in the region.
Children
Light Years Christmas
Capital E, until December 22, 9.30am-3.30pm, free
Sure to put a twinkle in the eyes of tamariki, expect an array of lightbased play activities, including interactive light up ‘‘Flickmas trees’’, stars dripping from the ceiling, a glow table, light art and much more.
Zealandia by Night
Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary, Karori, today and tomorrow, 8.30pm-11pm, child $40, adult $85
Explore the sanctuary by torchlight as your guide leads you in search of some of the more distinctive sights and sounds of New Zealand’s native forest. See unique species such as we¯ta¯, glow worms and tuatara. Your group may see some of the 130 little spotted kiwi who call Zealandia home. Bookings are essential. Go to visitzealandia.com/ Visit#tours
Take a Red Rocket to Space
Wellington Cable Car, Daily (except December 25), $10.80-$18.80 Experience the magic of the Cable Car as you blast off to Space Place on a red rocket from the heart of the city. Journey up through the hillside to the lookout perched high above the city. Disembark at the Kelburn Terminal and take a short stroll through the Botanic Gardens to Space Place and discover the beauty and greatness of the universe.
Events Wana Ake Festival
Te Papa, 10am-6pm, free, today Create! Look! Explore! Celebrate summer at Te Papa with a dynamic festival of events, activities, exhibitions and fun. Get up close with art, the world’s firstMa¯ori VR film, objects from the TVNZ 1 series National Treasures, clay makers, Ma¯ori and Pasifika art, skate culture, a garden in the sky, and more.
Waterfront Pop-up Village
Wellington waterfront, 10am-4pm, daily except December 25 TheWaterfront Pop-up Village is a unique retail precinct inWellington featuring shipping containers turned into the cutest little boutiques you have ever seen, filled with local art, design and innovation. Come and shop unique gifts, apparel, jewellery, homeware, art and much more.
Exhibitions
Some of the many exhibitions in the Wellington region include:
Chiharu Shiota: The Web of Time
Te Papa’s Toi Art Award-winning Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota’s immersive installation is on display in Te Papa’s Toi Art this summer. The Web of Time exhibition will run until late next year.
World of WearableArt – Up Close
Te Papa; adult $22.50
World of WearableArt – Up Close (Ao Ka¯kahuToi – Kia Tata) is a brand-new exhibition featuring garments from World of WearableArt, the world’smost significant wearable art competition. It opened at the weekend and will run until February 14, next year. Tickets available from ticketmaster
Portraits of Power/Portraits as Power
The New Zealand Portrait Gallery, until March next year
The New Zealand Portrait Gallery’s final exhibition of the year takes a look at how portraiture can be used to subvert these controlling power structures. It assembles 18 objects – from 2000-year-old coins of Alexander the Great to large-scale paintings created only last year. Chevron Hassett, JustUs
Enjoy Contemporary Art Space JustUs is a solo exhibition by TeUpoko-o-te-Ika based artist Chevron Hassett. Drawing from his experiences growing up in Te Awakairangi/Lower Hutt, Hassett has developed a photographic installation that explores the lived realities and representation of Ma¯ori men in contemporary Aotearoa.
The Toi 3 Hundy
Toi Po¯neke Arts Centre, until tomorrow
Are you looking for an opportunity to start your own art collection or expand on your current one? See what the residents of Toi Po¯neke have been up to in the annual cash-and-carry exhibition.
NZ Academy of Fine arts
1 Queens Wharf, until January 25, next year
The Summer Exhibition in the main gallery is showcasing works bymembers. There are more than 200 selected works on show, and there is something for everyone – including paintings of all styles and genres, ceramics, sculptures, fabrics, and bronzes.
Star Gossage: He Tangata The People
NZ Portrait Gallery, until February 14, next year
Star Gossage’s (Nga¯tiWai, Nga¯ti Ruanui) paintings emerge from her wahine (female) centered world. Showing 20 years of her artistic practice, this complex and emotive exhibition illuminates her use of the portrait and figure in the landscape to communicate themes that include unity, grief, compassion and aroha (love).