VICTORY COMMUNITY CENTRE, 2 Totara Street Nelson

Koha (donation). No bookings required.

Join us for an immersive journey into the heart of Chinese culture. This vibrant event promises an unforgettable cultural experience for all. 

Feel the pulse of China as the festival invites you to participate and engage in the following traditional activities:

1. Martial Arts: Instructors will guide you through basic techniques. Experience the discipline and grace of this ancient practice first-hand.

2. Chinese Calligraphy Station: Grab a brush and ink as experienced calligraphers guide you in creating your own beautiful characters. Unleash your creativity and take home a personalised memento.

3. Shuttlecock: Try your skills with friendly games and challenges. Discover the joy of mastering this traditional activity and share the excitement with fellow attendees. 

Indulge your taste buds with the irresistible flavors of authentic Chinese street food, featuring:

1. Vege spring rolls: Popular Chinese snack of crispy, crunchy rolls filled with a savoury vegetable stuffing. 

2. Golden fried wontons: Similar to dumplings, wontons are shaped to resemble the type of gold ingots used in ancient China, which make them a perfect Chinese New Year dish.

3. Dumplings (Jiaozi): Experience the art of dumpling making and relish these savory delights, either steamed or pan-fried. Customize your own dumpling masterpiece.

SADLY CANCELLED.

CENTRE FOR FINE WOODWORKING. 465 Wakapuaka Road, Nelson
Koha (donation). No bookings required.

CANCELLED

The only woodworking school in New Zealand opens their doors to the public. Come and see steam bending and sharpening demonstrations and check out the exciting short course programme.

LE CREN ROOM, BROADGREEN HOUSE, Nayland Road, Stoke

$3 per half day. No bookings required.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at needlework? Join the Nelson Embroiderers’ Guild for a day of stitch and chat. Whether you are a beginner, pro or rekindling your love of embroidery, we will have a small kit available or you can bring your own stitching. Also take some time to explore Broadgreen House and the beautiful rose gardens.

THE BOATHOSE, 326 Wakefield Quay, Nelson
$15 per person. Tickets required through https://humanitix.com/nz

Come down to the Boathouse and fire up those dancing shoes for a night of singing and swaying and sashaying to your favourite songbird tunes with the Flightless Birds. Help us celebrate musical anthems and historical gems from legendary songwriters. Dinner will be served from 5-8pm with the gig starting at 8pm - see you there!

ROOM T309, NELSON MARLBOROUGH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY LECTURE THEATRE, 322 Hardy Street, Nelson
Koha (donation). Bookings are required, through https://www.afnelsontasman.org/

This event follows a series proposed by The Alliance Francaise Nelson Tasman and started from a previous Tuku 2021 event on the French history around the Top of The South.

This year, Michael Lee (author of  Navigateurs et Naturalistes - French Exploration of NZ and the South Seas) will give a conference about Jules Dumont D'Urvilles and his scientific and exploratory voyages in the Pacific.

The evening, facilitated by France Aotearoa Science, Technology and Innovation (FAST!) will enable the public to learn more about the history and discoveries of the French scientific explorer and his three visits between 1824 and 1840.

On the Astrolabe, he sailed with his officer and crew from Tasman Bay through the narrow French Pass into Admiralty Bay in the Marlborough Sounds and discovered the now-known Dumont D'Urvilles Island/Rangitoto ki te Tonga.

THE BARN at the HONEST LAWYER, 1 Point Road, Stoke
Free for jammers, otherwise SPECIAL Tuku24 price of $5 for Members and Guests (normally $10). No bookings required.

Nelson Jazz Club Night will feature Bossa Via as our guest band, who will present the history of the Bossa Nova.

Learn about the development of relaxed samba stylings which came out of Rio de Janeiro in the late 1950s.

Bring along your instrument and join in with a jam session after an evening of entertainment from Bossa Via.

NELSON PROVINCIAL MUSEUM PUPURI TAONGA O TE TAI AO, Corner of Hardy and Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Free. No bookings required.

Join us for after-school heritage-inspired craft activities at the museum.

RICHMOND LIBRARY, CONSTANCE BARNICOAT ROOM
Free. No bookings required.

Wayne Greig will be speaking about his life-long adventure with model making.  He will focus on two areas: the building of his HO scale (1:87) model railway Wayne’s Trains currently housed at the Pigeon Valley Steam Museum, Wakefield, and his 1:48 scale model of the merchant ship HMAV Bounty displayed in the Nelson College Library.

Wayne is the author of the 2016 book Three Strands of Unravelling Rope, Wayne’s view of the history surrounding the mutiny on the Bounty.

NB: Wayne also presents a book talk event on 16 April.

MOTUEKA LIBRARY TE NONINGA KUMU, COMMUNITY MEETING ROOM
Free but bookings are required, call 03 528 1047, spaces are limited.

Learn search tips for using Ancestry.com, look at various record collections for New Zealand and the UK, view Public Member Trees and sending records home from the library. Basic computer skills are essential.

THE SUTER ART GALLARY TE ARATOI O WHAKATŪ THEATRE, 208 Bridge Street, Nelson
$10 adult, tamariki (children) and rangatahi (teenagers) $5. Bookings required, email info@the suter.org.nz

Kanohi Kitea (The Seen Face) public talk is an opportunity to hear from the curator, Louisa Paul as she provides detail around the selection of the exhibition pieces and celebrates the artists who created them. 

You will also be invited to hear from our people who wear Moko Kanohi (facial markings) as they share their journey with you. 

There will be a question and answer time towards the end where you will be able to interact with the panel.

THE SUTER ART GALLARY TE ARATOI O WHAKATŪ, 208 Bridge Street, Nelson
Koha (donation). No bookings required.

Floortalk/tour of exhibition that marks the Suter's 125th; a wide variety of artworks will be on display and the floortalk will highlight a selection of artworks and related stories.

THE JAYCEE ROOM, FOUNDERS HERITAGE HERITAGE PARK, Nelson
Free. No bookings required.

Exploring maritime marvels at Founders Heritage Park, this presentation offered by curator Ari Edgecombe, dives into a rich tapestry of local nautical history, showcasing a selection of wave-worthy wonders and landlubber artifacts from the Park's collection.

Te Noninga Kumu Motueka Library

Free but bookings required, email kerrysunderlandwriter.com/tuku-24-baton-valley-talk.

Join local author Kerry Sunderland to hear about her new book, Belonging in the Baton Valley: Life in a Remote River Catchment Northwest of Nelson, which grew out of the feature article she wrote for New Zealand Geographic in late 2022, after the newest section of the Tasman Great Taste Trail opened. Kerry will discuss the 170+ year history of the place and its people.

Copies of the book will be availalbe for purchase for $19.50.

RICHMOND LIBRARY, CONSTANCE BARNICOAT ROOM
No bookings required.

Suter Art Gallery Director Julie Catchpole will be bringing a mystery item from their permanent art collection to Richmond Library for a special show and tell for art lovers.

There is so much more to an art work than simply how it looks. When was it made? By whom? For whom? From what? There are so many questions you can ask of an art work before you even get to the subject matter of a piece. Join Julie for an up-close introduction to art works and gain a greater understanding and appreciation for them.

ELMA TURNER LIBRARY, Nelson
Free but bookings are required, email to library@ncc.govt.nz or call 035468100.

Join us on this flavourful journey as we sip tea and explore diverse cultures linked to this ever-popular drink.

RUBBASOUL STUDIO, RAILWAY COTTAGE, FOUNDERS HERITAGE PARK, Nelson
$2 per person. Bookings are required, email rubbasoularttherapy@gmail.com.

Come and create your own visual story that represents your heritage, ancestry and family. Design and paint a symbolic image by including what is meaningful to you and your whānau. Express yourself creatively!

Children, adults and families are welcome. Spaces are limited to eight per session.

This art activity evolves from a concept that Mairi Lewis-Smith created for Creatives in School in 2023.

VARIOUS HOUSES IN NELSON CITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS
$60 per person. Tcikets avialable from 1 April at 102 Hardy Street, Nelson, or https://www.cancernelson.org.nz/shop

Embark on a captivating journey through time. Explore private residences around the region spanning various eras, immersing yourself in their rich histories. Indulge in a delightful self-guided tour, complemented by a tempting Devonshire tea break. Each house offers insight into its unique past through informative sheets. Once you purchase your ticket, you will get a map and a description of the houses and addresses. 

All proceeds generously support Cancer Society Nelson Tasman. 

ELMA TURNER LIBRARY, Nelson
Free but bookings required, email kerrysunderlandwriter.com/tuku-24-baton-valley-talk.

Multiple event: Event also runs 6-7pm on Tuesday 30 April at Te Noninga Kumu Motueka Library.

Join local author Kerry Sunderland to hear about her new book, Belonging in the Baton Valley: Life in a Remote River Catchment Northwest of Nelson, which grew out of the feature article she wrote for New Zealand Geographic in late 2022, after the newest section of the Tasman Great Taste Trail opened. Kerry will discuss the 170+ year history of the place and its people.

Copies of the book will be availalbe for purchase for $19.50.

THE GRANARY, FOUNDERS HERITAGE PARK, 87 Atawhai Drive, Nelson
Free. No bookings required.

Are you passionate about your hobbies?

Do you love sharing your interests with others?

Or do you want some fresh ideas for new developments?

Then join us at My Time, My Life, where we celebrate the joy of hobbies, sports, and interests in our vibrant community!

Whether you’re into arts and crafts, sports, gardening, singing or anything in between, this is your opportunity to share your enthusiasm with others eager to try something new.

ĀWIO, 16 Paru Paru Road, Nelson
Koha (donation). Bookings required, email louisapaulnelson@gmail.com.

An opportunity for weavers (medium to experienced) to come together and weave in a safe and supported environment.

Tutors Missy Broughton, Shannell Kelly and Louisa Paul will guide and share with the rōpu (group) skills and knowledge of tikanga Māori practices and weaving techniques.

We aim for this workshop to be fun and interactive.

LE CREN ROOM, BROADGREEN HOUSE, Nayland Road, Stoke
Free but bookings required, email broadgreen@ncc.govt.nz, or call 03 547 0403.

Mention a ‘smock ffrock’ and people might think country yokel in a bucolic setting. In reality, the smock frock was both utilitarian and an expression of identity, originally a mean’s garment with a fascinating social history. Join us as we explore the rustic to the richly decorative with the evolution and traditions of the Smock and Smocking.

WALL OF REMEMBRANCE. FOUNDERS HERITAGE PARK, Nelson
Free. No bookings required.

Members of Nelson Historical Society will be on site tto provide assistance for people to locate the service records of their ancestors related to WW1.

NAYLAND COLLEGE, Stoke
Free. No bookings required.

Nelson’s ANZAC Day civic service.

The Granary, Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
Free. No bookings required.

"Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible …”  Francis of Assisi.

Find out what it meant for ordinary people to do extraordinary things in the most difficult of times.

Award winning drama group, Histrionics, presents interactive and informative activities for the whole family in the Granary at Nelson’s charming Founders Heritage Park.

Come and meet some of the heroes of Nelson and New Zealand who “did their bit” for their country during times of conflict - Resistance member Nancy Wake, RAF Group Captain Leonard Trent, Nurse Mildred Rees, and 2NZEF Captain Charles Upham, among others. Read their stories, ask them questions and help them in their missions.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS/TIMES - see description
Free. No bookings required.

A collection of short commemoration ceremonies at memorials and cemeteries in Nelson, where you and your family can reflect in a more personal and private way. Led by Nelson RSA, we will remember them.

Times and Locations:

8am - 8.15am - Wakapuaka Servicemen’s Cemetery.

8.30am - 8.45am - Queens Gardens, Boer War Statue.

9am - 9.15am - Pikimai War Memorial, Cathedral Hill.

10am - 10.30am - Marsden Valley Servicemen’s Cemetery.

ANZAC PARK, Nelson
Free. No bookings required.

We will remember them. The march assembles at a new starting position on Para Para Road (Trafalgar Centre Car park) then progresses to ANZAC Park for the traditional dawn service.

THE DRAWING ROOM, ISEL HOUSE, Stoke
Koha (donation). Bookings are required, email isel.house@ncc.govt.nz

Join us for a very special piano recital with concert pianist Colleen Rae-Gerrard.

Be transported back in time to a grand drawing room of the past, as Colleen plays clasical pieces of the era on a Broadway grand piano (dated 1810), the same model played by Beethoven!

Includes an introduction by Sylvia Wesney who will delve into the piano’s history.