PlAN YOUR VISIT

SELF-GUIDED VISIT
Our Grounds are always open, free of charge

You are welcome to wander our grounds at any time. There are QR codes set on plinths, posts and noteworthy trees around our site. By scanning codes with a smartphone, visitors can access our stories and history. The exhibitions in Te Whare Hononga and in Hatherly Hall can also be viewed, Mon-Friday 9am-3pm.

Our buildings are occasionally closed for private events, so if you have your heart set on viewing the exhibitions inside Te Whare Hononga or Hatherly Hall, please contact us beforehand to make sure they are open on the day you plan to visit.

TE WHARE HONONGA EXHIBITIONS
Open 9am-3pm Monday-Friday, free of charge.

Created in partnership with Ngati Te Whiti hapū, this award-winning whare wānanga explores local history and highlights stories of justice and reconciliation. The space is rich with visual elements - woven architecture, stained glass, contemporary pou with interactive touchscreens, a large-scale Treaty Sheet and a nine-minute animated video retelling St Mary’s conflicted relationship with Māori, paying special attention to the voices that have long called for peace. There is no requirement to be formally welcomed into the space, you’re welcome to come right in!
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LAMENT AND HOPE EXHIBITION
Open 9am-3pm Monday-Friday, free of charge.

“Lament and Hope” showcases a series of short documentary-style videos that capture our community’s reflections on the changes to St. Mary’s, expressing their loss over the Cathedral’s closure since 2016 and sharing their hopes for the future. Filmed inside the Cathedral's messy construction site, the backdrop contrasts with wonderful memories of baptisms, weddings, and spiritual encounters. The videos can be viewed via a touchscreen in Hatherly Hall, next to the Cathedral doors, where you can catch a glimpse of the restoration. The videos were created by award-winning director and long-time member of St. Mary’s, Katie Wolfe (Ngāti Mutunga).
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CATHEDRAL
Closed for restoration

The Cathedral’s historic Church of St. Mary - has been closed since 2016 for earthquake strengthening. St. Mary’s is the oldest stone church in New Zealand and plays a significant role in New Plymouth’s history. Visitors can look through the glass doors in Hatherly Hall to view the renovations underway.
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Church services are held in Hatherly Hall and across the road at The Peace Hall.

Booking Form

The below tours & guided experiences must be booked in advance.
All donations & tour fees go towards our work and restoration of the Cathedral.
More information for teachers is available here.

MEET & GREET
Allow 60 minutes - $30 per person.
Available Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm. Advance booking required.

A host will meet you in the courtyard outside Te Whare Hononga for an introductory talk, to answer basic questions and point out areas of interest, and then will leave you to explore at your own pace with our map brochure and scan our QR codes around the site to learn more.

RECONCILIATION TOUR -
Allow 90-120 minutes - $100 per person. (enquire for group rates)
Subject to availability of tour guide. Advance booking required.

Join us for a reflective 90-minute journey through the Taranaki Cathedral precinct. The tour explores how the history of St Mary’s, New Zealand’s oldest stone church, is interwoven with the Taranaki Land Wars. The tour continues through the old churchyard to view the soldiers’ graves, then circles the Cathedral and pauses in Hatherly Hall for a peep into the Cathedral, which is currently closed for earthquake strengthening. At Te Whare Hononga, you’ll view the large-scale Treaty of Waitangi exhibition and our animated history video, which acknowledges the pain of the past and shares how we are working towards peace and reconciliation today.  We suggest giving yourself an additional 30 minutes after the tour to spend more time with the exhibitions, which include the Lament & Hope mini documentary series & interactive touchscreens in Te Whare Hononga that share local stories and worldview. You are also welcome to wander the grounds and scan our QR codes for a deeper dive into our history or take the short walk to the Pūkākā summit, where panoramic views provide deeper context to our shared story.

CLASS EXPERIENCE -
Allow 60-90 minutes - $150+GST per class
Available Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm. Advance booking required.

A guide will host your students for 60-90 minutes, with age-appropriate history kōrero, activities, an animated video, and time for Q&A in Te Whare Hononga and around our site. The experience provides an overview of the history of Pūkākā Pā, early settlers, Te Tiriti, and the Land Wars. Let us know any specific learning outcomes you hope to achieve so we can tailor your time with us to an engaging experience. You are welcome to spend more time after the talk exploring the interactive touchscreens that share local stories and worldviews at Te Whare Hononga, or walk to the Pūkākā summit, where panoramic views provide deeper context for our shared story.   Teachers are encouraged to use Te Whare Hononga as a resource to enhance the NZ History Curriculum. If you plan on bringing more than one class, please either book two tours or contact us for other options.
More information for teachers is available here.