Regular tours at the Hocken
Behind the scenes tours
Every Thursday at 11am (tours are 50 minutes)
Join one of our friendly guides and learn about the Hocken. Check out the amazing materials in our archives, ephemera, maps, music/AV, photographs, pictures and published collections. Bookings not required. Limit of 10 people per tour. Tour starts at Hocken reception.
Current exhibition
Ruruku: an exhibition by Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki waka club
24 May-2 August 2025
Ruruku: an exhibition by Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki waka club celebrates kaupapa waka with visual storytelling and taoka from Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki, a community and whānau-based waka club based in Karitāne. Named for the community-led Ruruku Project, which brought to life the club’s third traditionally inspired sailing waka Kuramātakitaki, made from contemporary materials and methods, the show celebrates waka, raraka, and honoka across Te Waipounamu, Aotearoa and Te Moananui-a-Kiwa, and the revival of waka traditions in the 21st century.
Exhibition viewing: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10am-5pm, 24 May-2 August 2025
During open hours, Ruruku Rā weavers may be at work in the gallery on te rā harakeke – the harakeke sail being woven for the club’s waka.
Hauteruruku and Kuramātakitaki in Waikouaiti Bay. Photograph by Muriwai Schweikert-Doyle (Whakatōhea, Te Rarawa, Tiamana).
Upcoming events
Guided tours of Ruruku: an exhibition by Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki waka club
45-minute guided tour with co-curators and artists Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki during Puaka Matariki Festival 2025.
11am-12pm, Saturday, 21 June
11am-12pm, Wednesday, 25 June
11am-12pm, Wednesday, 9 July
Limited to 20 participants per tour. Book a place or first come, first served on the day.
Email hocken@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 8868
Waka craft workshop - for all ages
2-hour workshop with co-curators and artists Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki, to make your own mini waka craft from traditional and contemporary resources, learn how to make taura: four-plait rope to tie your waka, and have your (polaroid) photo taken with Kuramātakitaki waka. Presented as part of the Puaka Matariki Festival programme 2025.
11am-1pm, Saturday, 12 July
Limited to 20 participants. Book a place or first come, first served on the day.
Email hocken@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 8868
The Hocken Collections and Gallery are open to all researchers and exhibition visitors:
Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm
Sunday–Monday, Closed