Night at the Museum: An Unexpected Visitor
- ALL AGES
Journey back in time after nightfall, with a special candlelit tour of Te Waimate Mission House...
Location
Te Waimate Mission
344 Te Ahu Ahu Road Waimate North, Northland 0472 New ZealandRefund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 45 minutes
- ALL AGES
- Free venue parking
As the daylight fades and darkness takes over at Te Waimate Mission, join us for the second episode of our exclusive Night Tour, lit by magical candlelight. Journey back to the 1800s to find out about the people who used to live here long ago, and meet an unexpected visitor. With two nights of tours to choose from and small groups of no more than ten.
Tours will last approximately 40-45 minutes. Hot drinks will be available on the verandah afterwards and the night garden is yours to explore.
Bookings essential.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Please bring a torch with you as the path to the house from the car park will not be fully lit.
- Please turn up on time as latecomers will not be admitted.
- We will be using LED candles only, at no risk to our heritage building.
- Te Waimate Mission is located between Kerikeri and Kaikohe and is a 15-minute drive from each
. . .
OUR HISTORY:
Te Waimate Mission is the second-oldest surviving building in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a fascinating history. Following an earlier invitation from Ngāpuhi Ariki Rangatira, Hongi Hika, the mission was established by Samuel Marsden and his CMS missionaries in the 1830s as the first European-style farm - an attempt to transplant an entire food culture to the other side of the world. The mission was later transformed into the first St John's Theological College, saw a signing of Te Tiriti in 1840, and played a reluctant part in the Northern Wars. During its lifetime, Te Waimate Mission House has borne witness to important events and hosted a myriad of interesting people. It is now proudly cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, particularly children with an interest in history. While we have no lower age limit, please be aware that the house will be dark and small children may find that scary. Please note: Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The tours are supervised. Due to time constraints and poor lighting, all participants must stay together as we move around the house.
Yes, there is plenty of parking. The house is a short walk from the car park down a gravel path*. There will be no outdoor lighting, so be sure to bring a torch with you. You can explore the gardens by torchlight afterwards. (*Let us know if you need closer access to the house for mobility reasons)
Due to the lack of space during the night tours, we are not able to admit wheelchairs (although we do have wheelchair access to the ground floor during open days). For elderly and less able-bodied visitors, we can provide seating in each room. Please let us know in advance if you require this.
Te Waimate Mission House is open from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays through to Labour Day for the Winter Season. Entry is $10 for adults and free for HNZPT Members and under-18s. The garden is open all year round to enjoy.