Te Tuhi

Te Tuhi, on William Roberts Road opposite Pakuranga Plaza, is a public contemporary art gallery that has been exhibiting in Pakuranga for more than 40 years, giving local families direct access to significant work by New Zealand and international artists alongside a full programme of community classes.

What Te Tuhi offers Pakuranga families

The gallery’s own name comes from the legend of Manawatere, a Māori voyager who made his tuhi, or mark, on a pōhutukawa tree at Cockle Bay using red ochre, a story that still stands today even though the original mark has gone. Te Tuhi traces its roots to the Pakuranga Arts Society, founded by local women meeting in a garden shed in the early 1960s, before opening in 1975 as New Zealand’s first purpose-built arts centre.

Today, Te Tuhi presents significant exhibitions and projects, and also offers free English language guided tours of current exhibitions for walk-in visitors. Beyond viewing art, the centre’s multi-purpose rooms, studios and meeting spaces are available for hire, catering for groups of 10 to 200 people, and are used for classes, social functions, community gatherings and individual music and dance practice. All spaces are wheelchair accessible with step-free access, accessible toilets, and two accessible carparks on William Roberts Road.

Visiting Te Tuhi in Pakuranga

The gallery is open every day from 9am to 5pm, closed on public holidays. Te Tuhi Café operates on site, serving families visiting for an exhibition or a class. A shared kitchen with ovens, fridges, a microwave and sterilizer is available for groups hiring a room, alongside trestle tables, chairs and whiteboards included with every booking.

Given its position directly opposite Pakuranga Plaza, a visit to Te Tuhi pairs naturally with a wider shopping trip to the mall, or with other errands in the same central part of the suburb.

For more on education and arts options across Pakuranga, see our Education, Arts & Tutoring page, and our Pakuranga suburb page for the fuller local picture. You can also visit the Te Tuhi website directly for current exhibitions and event hire enquiries.

Families with children who enjoy creative activity are encouraged to check Te Tuhi’s own current class timetable directly, since public programmes for both children and adults run on a rotating basis throughout the year.