Taranaki Cathedral’s Lament & Hope exhibition showcases a series of short documentary-style videos capturing personal testimonies of St Mary’s members, who express their sense of loss around the church closure, reflect on the changes and share their visions for the future.

The intimate interviews tap the rich spiritual and social history of St Mary's Taranaki Cathedral, Aotearoa New Zealand's oldest stone church building, reflect on the sorrow surrounding its closure due to earthquake instability, and point towards hope for renewal, healing, and a reconciled future for the Church.

“Many of these parishioners have witnessed generations of worship, celebration, and naturally grief with the Cathedral’s closure”, said the Cathedral Dean, Rev Jay Ruka (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Mutunga), who is the exhibition curator.

“Their stories are not just about a building—they’re about belonging, resilience, and the deep imprint of faith and education on a community.”

The videos were created by award-winning director and long-time member of St. Mary’s, Katie Wolfe (Ngāti Mutunga).

Filmed inside the Cathedral's messy construction site, the testimonies' backdrop contrasts with wonderful memories of baptisms, weddings, and renovations. They also chronicle the pain felt in the wake of the Cathedral’s closure, a loss that is still felt across the wider community.

Despite the adversity, the exhibition communicates a hopeful tone. Many interviewees speak of a faith that outlives buildings and a desire to see the church reimagined through reconciliation. It invites visitors to engage not only with the past but with the Church’s evolving identity and mission.

“Lament and Hope” is open to the public in Hatherly Hall from 9:30 am to 3 pm, weekdays - or by appointment.

The ten mini films, curated on a large-format touchscreen, can be viewed at leisure.

Entry to the exhibition is free, and all are welcome.