LIVE DAY | Exploring the Past
Step back in time at Howick Historical Village to explore daily life in the past.
Delve into the world of ancestry and artefacts with two talks spread throughout the day. Learn about the Victorian passion for collecting and their Cabinets of Curiosity at 11:00 with Lexie Palmer-Gapper, General Manager. Then, at 1pm hear from Seonaid Harvey, Senior Research Librarian Family History, Central Auckland Research Centre on how to begin your own family history research.
Experience the Village bustling with life, with costumed villagers and performances by Morris dancers at 10:30am and 11:30am and the bagpipe band at 12:00pm! Try your hand at calligraphy or making a silhouette portrait and meet bookbinders from the NZ Association of Book Crafts. Be the first to see the new Coach House display and learn about early transportation in Auckland.
There will be something for everyone with the coal range in Puhi Nui homestead fired-up and traditional treats on offer. Make butter or attend a Victorian school lesson. Visit the sweet shop, filled with old-fashioned lollies & fudge.
Explore the gardens and unwind at the Homestead Café for brunch or lunch. Make a day of it!
Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $46, child under 5, members & annual pass holders - free. Unlimited door sales available.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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60% Yes, supporting people is important!
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25.7% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.3% ... It is complicated
Flower Pressing Workshop
Step back in time and discover the delicate Victorian art of flower pressing at Howick Historical Village.
Explore the gardens, gather flowers and foliage, and learn how to press and preserve them as keepsakes, just as the Victorians once did. Historical interpreter Ruth Page will guide you through the process and share tips for the best results.
📅 Dates:
• Saturday 21 March
• Saturday 28 March
• Saturday 11 April
• Saturday 18 April
⏰ 1:30–3:30pm
💲 Cost:
$28 (bring your own heavy book)
$42 (flower press included – yours to keep)
🎟 Includes entry to explore the Village (open 10am–4pm)
📩 Bookings essential – places are limited
A relaxing, creative afternoon surrounded by history and gardens — perfect for nature lovers and craft enthusiasts alike
Late Summer Harvest!
Experience a sun-kissed day at Howick Historical Village, celebrating the last of summer's bounty. Explore how the season’s harvest was gathered, preserved, and enjoyed in the 1800s, before the season changed.
The end of summer was a time to enjoy long, warm, dry days but also to prepare before autumn crept in. Pantries were filled as food was preserved, boots were waterproofed, curtains rehung. Honey made by busy bees all summer, was extracted from the hives.
Join us to experience the gentle turning of the seasons, where work and pleasure met, and the closing days of summer were truly cherished! Churn cream into butter or attend a Victorian school lesson. See the blacksmiths and woodturners at work and learn the art of bookbinding. Meet the Village beekeeper in a talk at 2 pm. Taste fresh baking, hot from the coal range in Puhi Nui Homestead and the bread oven. Visit the sweet shop filled with old-fashioned lollies and fudge!
With games, crafts and performances by Morris dancers at 11:00 & 12:00, and the bagpipe band at 12 pm and plenty to entertain all ages, this will be a Live Day not to miss!
Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $46. Child under 5 years, members & annual pass holders - free entry.
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