Taupo, Turangi & Tongariro Arts & Crafts

Inspiring arts and crafts...

Enjoy a huge variety of arts and crafts from the Taupō region. Works reflect the landscape and spiritual background of the beautiful lake, plateaus and mountains. The arts, traditional crafts, carving and sculpture found locally require a degree of implicit knowledge, technical expertise, and special equipment to produce. The textile, metal, wood, ceramics, glass and fibre products from the Taupō community and New Zealand are featured in many of the town's galleries.

The Lake Taupō District is fortunate to have several high quality community venues for housing exhibitions as well as cultural and theatrical events. The region is also blessed with many stunning public sculptures and works of art, all of which have stories to tell. Be inspired by the performers' and artists' vision and skills; many of which are motivated by this special region.

Riverside Market

Location: Redoubt Road, Taupō
A produce and general merchandise market specialising in local products with an emphasis on variety and quality. The market is held in Riverside Park in the centre of town and operates every Saturday from 10am to 1pm. For information on the market go to their website.
Contact: 07 378 8114

Art in the Park

Location: Colonel Roberts Reserve, Taupō lakefront
Art in the park is a weekly market where local artists and craftspeople sell their own creations. The market operates on Saturdays between 10am and 3pm (subject to the weather) at Colonel Roberts Reserve on the Taupo lakefront. For those wishing to sell, a permit must be purchased from the coordinators at Taupo Artz, who are present at every market day.

Taupō Museum

Location: Story Place, Taupō
Arts, sales and history. Changing mixed media exhibitions in the art gallery showcase the work of emerging and established New Zealand artists. The museum displays a permanent collection of both old and new Taupō paintings, and the gift shop sells works by local artists. For information on the Museum and it's exhibitions go to the Taupo Museum website.

Contact: 07 376 0414

100% Pure New Zealand Ora - Garden of Wellbeing

Location: Story Place, Taupō
Taupō Museum is home to the ‘100% Pure New Zealand Ora - Garden of Wellbeing’ - a very special living exhibit and Garden of National Significance. This stunning New Zealand garden was designed to showcase the "essence of the central North Island on the world stage" and won gold at the 2004 Chelsea Flower Show (London) - the equivalent of the plant Olympics!

Lush ferns and Cordyline (the iconic cabbage tree), together with hundreds of other plants create the feel of the New Zealand bush. The sound of bird song drifts through the air while water, inspired by the geothermal area of Orakei Korako, flows down the silica terraces, from one geothermal pool to another.

Taupō Library

Location: Story Place, Taupō
Arts and infrastructure meet on the exterior of the library, with a creative proverb railing in English, Maori and Braille, cut from stainless steel and designed by Peter Langford. Also incorporated are a glass canopy designed by Mark Te Kahu and an entrance way waharoa carving by Delany Brown. Visit the new Taupō District Libraries website for information on the services available in the Lake Taupō region.
Contact: 07 376 0070

Turangi Library

Location: Town Centre, Turangi
The Battle of the Mountains that are etched on the windows of the Turangi Public library, Te Whare Putea o Turangi, were designed by Ngati Tuwharetoa artist Te Maari Gardiner. The windows facing west have the most striking etchings and represent all the mountains and Pihanga. The windows facing the eastern side show the Battle of the Mountains for Pihanga's hand. At the entrance to the library are Pihanga and Tongariro.
Contact: 07 386 8908

Great Lake Centre Theatre

Location: Story Place, Taupō
Positioned in the heart of Taupō’s central business district, the Great Lake Centre is a versatile venue purpose-built for cultural, theatrical, corporate and sporting events. It hosts many local, regional and national arts and cultural exhibitions such as antique and craft fairs, cultural festivals, travelling theatre and dance troupes, and local dance competitions and shows. For more information on what’s on at the Great Lake Centre, go to www.taupovenues.co.nz or www.eventscapital.co.nz.
Contact: 07 376 0340

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