Join us this year at Pukeahu for Wellington Heritage Festival. From astronomy to blueprints, the largest musical instrument to a historic crèche, there are events for everyone!

Wellington Heritage Festival 2024 includes more than 150 events throughout Wellington, the Kāpiti Coast and the Wairarapa that explore people, places and stories.

There are events at Pukeahu between 26 October and 13 November.

11am – 4pm, 26 October: The Carillon: Then and Now

Explore the magnificent Carillon Tower – a Wellington landmark and quintessential part of Pukeahu. The Pukeahu Education Centre will be open from 11am to 4pm, showcasing photographic, digital and audio resources about the Carillon and reproductions of the original Carillon blueprints. At 2.30pm, hear from Heritage Architect Lianne Cox as she discusses the project to seismically strengthen this important building.

12 – 1.30pm, 29 October and 30 October: Practices of Compassion

The Pukeahu Education Centre had a life before it was renovated into the space it is now. In the early 20th century, Meri Hōhepa, Suzanne Aubert and the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion opened a crèche in the building that would later be the Pukeahu Education Centre.

In these two unique events, explore the practices of the Sisters of Compassion over the 20th century and now, through the lens of the historic crèche and the ongoing mahi of the Compassion Soup Kitchen.

12 – 3pm, 2 November: Measuring Space and Time from Pukeahu

I mōhio rānei koe (did you know) that Pukeahu has a starry history? Discover the history of astronomy at Pukeahu in the 19th century at this day of fun events.

At 12.15pm and 2.15pm join a local astronomy expert on an X marks the spot guided park tour, visit the Pukeahu Education Centre to revel in the historic photographs of the 1874 and 1882 Transit of Venus observations, hear from Massey University Lecturer David Johnston about place-based astronomical history in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara at 1.15pm, or take your time sun gazing in the park with Wellington Astronomical Society’s specialised solar telescopes. 

12 – 1pm, 13 November: Pukeahu National War Memorial Park walking tour

If you fancy a walk around Pukeahu, and maybe learning about some of its secrets, join a Pukeahu local for a special guided tour. Opened in 2015, Pukeahu is a space for remembrance, reflection and recreation, and there is always more to discover.

Join us this October and November at Pukeahu and explore some of the lesser-known histories and parts of Pukeahu that make it a feature of Wellington’s heritage landscape.