In the tranquil garden of historic Bell House at Howick Historical Village, explore sustainable living from past to present as part of EcoFest 2024.

With resources, demonstrations and giveaways, chat to experts on composting, chicken and beekeeping and meet local environmental groups. Learn about the remarkable 30-year project to bring the kōkako back from the brink in the beautiful Hunua Ranges, in a free talk with environmentalist Lenny van Heugten at 11am.

Members of Howick Menzshed will be showcasing some of their community and upcycled projects in the barn. Visit the Bike Hub Pakuranga on your way, to learn bike fixes and get practical tips to keep the wheels spinning.

Enter the Village itself to experience the ‘Village Fête LIVE DAY!’ Explore life in the 1850s when everything was homemade and grown and nothing was wasted. Make your own butter, learn about bees with the beekeeper at 1pm or make a rug from fabric scraps.

See the coal range fired up, blacksmiths at the forge and have fun with fair games. The gelato cart will be on site and the sweet shop open. Bring a picnic or have lunch at the Homestead Café. Make a day of it!

This event is being organised by Howick Historical Village in association with East Auckland Tourism.

Free entry to East Auckland Eco Day.
‘Village Fête’ LIVE DAY, 10am-4pm. Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $46, child under 5 – free..

Step back in time and experience an old-fashioned Village Fête! Try your hand at traditional fair games and win prizes! Meet costumed villagers, make butter, learn about bees with the beekeeper in a talk at 1pm or make a rug from fabric scraps.

See the coal range and bread oven fired up, Solomon ‘the Solo Blacksmith’ at work at the forge and go to a Victorian school lesson! The gelato cart will be on site and the sweet shop open, filled with treats. With performances by The City of Auckland Morris Dancers at 10:30am & 11:30am and The Manukau Pipes and Drums band at 12pm, there will be lots of fun for all ages!

Running alongside the Live Day in the Bell House gardens is East Auckland Eco Day. Explore sustainable living from past to present with resources, demos and giveaways as part of EcoFest 2024. Chat with experts on composting, chicken and beekeeping and meet local groups. Learn about the remarkable project bringing the kōkako back from the brink in the Hunua Ranges, in a talk with environmentalist Lenny van Heugten at 11am.

Bring the family and make a day of it!

Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family pass $46, child under 5, members & annual pass holders - free entry

The Howick Historical Village Easter Extravaganza is BACK for 2024. Come along to experience a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration!

Explore the Village with an egg hunt* and Easter trail or take photos with the Easter Bunny! Discover how aspiring bunnies are trained by the Easter Fairy in a live show by Act One Productions.**

With plenty of chocolate, crafts, face-painting, and outdoor games, there will be something around every corner. Learn how to make homemade butter, see the coal range fired up in Puhi Nui, or explore our heritage gardens. Make a day of it!

Enjoy sweet treats & savoury snacks from Mister Gelato and The Dog Father, or grab lunch from the Homestead Café. Visit our one-of-a-kind 1850s Sweet Shop offering an array of old-fashioned treats, or make your own lollipop with confectioner Stephen Parsons!

Tickets: adult $20, child $12, babies 1 year and under are free. Booking is essential, pre-booked tickets only. Book on Eventfinda:

Please note Annual Passes and Memberships cannot be used for admission to this event.

*Starting from 10 am, there will be 600 tokens hidden outside in the gardens only. Children can exchange up to 3 tokens for 3 Easter chocolates! While supplies last - tokens will not be re-hidden.

**Live shows will be held throughout the day. Check the schedule in your booklet.

Join us in Puhi Nui parlour on Friday 22 March 2024 from 12pm – 1pm for a special talk on “The development of New Zealand’s Domestic Interiors, 1840s-1900” by Victoria University PhD candidate Eva Forster-Garbutt. Ms. Forster-Garbutt will discuss changes in the interior layout and design of our early homes, between 1840 and 1900, drawing on existing knowledge, early photographs, the work of heritage professionals, and her research on interior decorative linings.

She will be featuring case studies of Wellington homes, including Nairn Street cottage, which will demonstrate these changes. Using these examples to contextualise the adaptations, the viewer will understand better how and why the cottages and homes in Howick Historical Village developed as they did.

Free admission to talk. Normal admission fees apply to visit the rest of the Village: Adults (15 years+): $15; Children (5-15 years): $7; Under 5’s: free; Students/Seniors (with ID): $12; Family Pass: $38 (2 adults + 2 children). Free parking in Lloyd Elsmore Park.

Love is in the air at Howick Historical Village!

Step back in time this Live Day to learn about the history of romance, courtship, marriage, and the traditions of Valentine's Day in the Victorian era.

Make a card or lavender sachet for that special someone. Purchase sweets for your sweet in the old-fashioned Sweet Shop and stroll the picturesque streets and gardens blooming with summer colour!

Meet costumed villagers, attend a Victorian school lesson or learn about Blacksmithing, Woodworking and bookbinding. Watch the Morris dancers at 10:30 & 11:30 and the bagpipe band at 12pm.

Photographer Adrian Cook of TINTYPE CENTRAL will be back, producing images using an authentic 19th-century wet-plate technique. Book a special portrait session to receive a unique keepsake you will treasure forever.

Have lunch or brunch at the Homestead Café or pack a picnic to enjoy in the gardens. Make a day of it!

Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, a child under five, family pass $46, members & annual pass holders - free entry. Tintype portrait session $150 (includes admission). Bookings are highly recommended as sessions are limited. Book at https://events.humanitix.com/hhv1

Howick Historical Village (HHV) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any HHV event, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video.

Dig out the picnic hamper, fill it with snacks for a summer’s day, and come along to enjoy traditional outdoor fun, games, crafts, and more!

Step back in time and learn how to create a rag rug, make homemade butter, or attend a Victorian School lesson. Explore the worlds of bookbinding, woodworking and blacksmithing, or simply enjoy a stroll around the heritage gardens blooming with summer flowers.

With a gelato cart, the Manukau Pipes and Drums band at 12pm, all-day bookbinding demonstrations by the Association of Book Crafts - Auckland chapter, the re-opening of the forge with The Solo Blacksmith at the helm, and a talk by the Village bee keeper Sara Russ (a.k.a. The Bee Lady) at 1pm, there will be lots to see and do! Bring the family and make a day of it!

Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $46, free entry for Society members, annual pass holders & children under five. Homestead Café will be open for dine-in or to takeaway into the Village grounds.

Howick Historical Village (HHV) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any HHV event, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. HHV may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used, or contracted by HHV including but not limited to: brochures, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc.

For this one night only, Howick Historical Village is offering extended hours to see the Christmas lights at their best and brightest. If you missed our Twilight Christmas event earlier this month, this is your chance to experience the magic of our festively decorated grounds and cottages after dark!

Adults (15 years+): $15, child $7, under 5’s free, students/seniors $12, family pass $38. Extended hours for Saturday 16 December 2023, open from 10am-9pm.  Free parking.  You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy as Homestead Café will be closed and no food trucks will be onsite.

Step into the magic of Christmases past in an enchanting heritage setting!

Wander through our festively decorated cottages and grounds staged with trees, garlands, and stockings hung by the fire with care! Enjoy the magic of our Christmas lights nestled amongst the decorations as the sun goes down.

Grab a bite to eat at a variety of food trucks and enjoy live carol singing performances! There will be something for everyone with Christmas crafts, the chance to meet Santa in the grand Puhi Nui homestead, and our old-fashioned sweet shop filled with treats.

Browse the mini market stalls filled with handmade goods and seasonal treats like mince tarts and plenty of other goodies to fill stockings!

Book your tickets now on Eventfinda! Adult $18, child $10, under 5’s free.

Limited door sale tickets. Booking is highly recommended.

Howick Historical Village (HHV) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any HHV event, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. HHV may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used, or contracted by HHV including but not limited to: brochures, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc.

Step back in time at Howick Historical Village to explore daily life in the past.

Delve into the world of ancestry and artefacts with two talks spread throughout the day. Learn about the Victorian passion for collecting and their Cabinets of Curiosity at 11:00 with Lexie Palmer-Gapper, General Manager. Then, at 1pm hear from Seonaid Harvey, Senior Research Librarian Family History, Central Auckland Research Centre on how to begin your own family history research.

Experience the Village bustling with life, with costumed villagers and performances by Morris dancers at 10:30am and 11:30am and the bagpipe band at 12:00pm! Try your hand at calligraphy or making a silhouette portrait and meet bookbinders from the NZ Association of Book Crafts. Be the first to see the new Coach House display and learn about early transportation in Auckland.

There will be something for everyone with the coal range in Puhi Nui homestead fired-up and traditional treats on offer. Make butter or attend a Victorian school lesson. Visit the sweet shop, filled with old-fashioned lollies & fudge.

Explore the gardens and unwind at the Homestead Café for brunch or lunch. Make a day of it!

Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $46, child under 5, members & annual pass holders - free. Unlimited door sales available.

Howick Historical Village (HHV) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any HHV event, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. HHV may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used, or contracted by HHV including but not limited to: brochures, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc.

THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT!

Howick Historical Village’s ‘Festival of Frights’ is back!

Explore the grounds after dark, lit up and decorated for All Hallows' Eve. Beware of fiendish and frightening villagers lurking along the way…

Come in costume for a chance to win prizes, or come as your best spooky self. Brew a ghoulish potion or make an old-fashioned lollipop! Trick-or-treat your way through the streets and follow the ‘Riddle Route’ trail to learn about creepy Victorian Halloween traditions.

With food trucks, a gelato cart, games, face-painting, the sweet shop and crafts, this will be a spooktacular evening not to be missed!

We are excited to announce that Lana Raill - Sacred Soul Work will be providing tarot card readings! Book your spot today when you buy your tickets to explore the mysteries and magic of the cards.

Admission: adult $25, child $15. Limited door sales, booking is highly recommended.

Howick Historical Village (HHV) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any HHV event, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. HHV may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used, or contracted by HHV including but not limited to: brochures, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc.

Auckland Council presents the 2023 Auckland Heritage Festival with the theme of Peace, Love and Protest. We are proud to be a part of this event and present The Letterpress: Children’s Workshop.

Check out the working historic printing presses at Howick Historical Village. Make a poster using letter stamps and colour pencils.

Come along to Howick Historical Village on this special Live Day to celebrate the rich cultural traditions of Korea!

We are delighted to host this event in association with Yongrahn Park, Korean Positive Ageing Charitable Trust, and other Korean community groups from across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Along with all our usual Live Day attractions, there will be drumming and dance performances, colourful Hanbok (traditional Korean dress), art, demonstrations and more.

Watch a traditional tea ceremony in the parlour of the grand homestead Puhi Nui in the morning and a traditional wedding ceremony in the afternoon! Sample sweet and savoury treats and learn the arts of calligraphy and brush writing.

As always costumed Villagers will be onsite demonstrating crafts and skills from the 19th century. Try your hand at making butter, see the coal range and bread oven fired up, and check out the blacksmiths at work in the forge. The sweet shop will open for business, filled with old-fashioned lollies and treats.

Step back in time, explore the gardens, unwind in the Homestead café and make a day of it!

Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $46, child under 5, members & annual pass holders - free entry. Unlimited door sales available.

Howick Historical Village’s most famous activity!

Churn cream into butter and observe the process of butter-making. Learn about it’s importance to 19th century families - a far cry from getting the margarine pot out of the fridge!

Thanks to Howick Local Board for supporting this programme!

Join us at Howick Historical Village for a cosy midwinter Live Day! Prepare for the cold as the Victorians did - learn how to make a rag rug and your own candles. Sip mulled apple juice and dance the winter blues away with the Morris dancers!

Houses were festively decorated with greenery and lights. Learn how to make an evergreen wreath or bough with the Howick Floral Art club at 11:30am.

Meet costumed Villagers, see the coal range in Puhi Nui homestead fired up, blacksmiths at work at the forge and attend a Victorian school lesson. Try sewing on a Vintage hand-crank machine! Visit the sweet shop, filled with old-fashioned lollies, fudge and treats.

Book in for a special portrait session with photographer Adrian Cook of TINTYPE CENTRAL to experience how images were made in the 19th century with light sensitive wet-plates.

Come along to experience the Village bustling with life! Explore the gardens and unwind at the Homestead Café for brunch or lunch. Make a day of it!

Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $45, child under 5, members & annual pass holders - free entry. Unlimited door sales available.

In the beautiful setting of the historic Bell house, meet Helen Paul-Smith (Tapuika/Ngaiterangi), co-founder of artisan tea blenders ŌKU.

In this informal talk, delve into a sensory world, exploring the flavours and remarkable healing properties of Aotearoa’s native plants. Many of these rākau (plants) have a rich history of traditional use, helping to maintain ora (well-being). Along with more familiar herbs and ingredients, plants such as Kawakawa, Kūmarahou, Mānuka, Houhere, Akeake, Horopito, and Karamū, feature in her teas, elixirs and balms. Many of the plants used are hand-harvested and sourced in the wild, following strict protocol; OKU is conscious of being good kaitiaki (guardians) of the Whenua (land) in this emerging industry, ensuring its sustainability. Helen was Māori Women’s Development Inc Businesswoman of the Year 2022 for Sales & Marketing.

The session ends with a Q&A and the chance to sample ŌKU tea served in the Village’s vintage fine china teacups. Event duration approx. 1 hour. Tickets include entry to explore Howick Historical Village.

Bookings are essential. Book via Eventfinda or email village@historicalvillage.org.nz.

Join us to celebrate Matariki, explore connections to our taiao (environment) and learn more about the tenets of the Māori New Year such as remembrance, acknowledging our bounty and planning for the future.

We are proud to present Pacific Frequencies: MAHU, an interactive audio exhibition focusing on Indigenous and Pacific stories of home and healing.

Explore the grounds in a tour of our heritage gardens to learn about plants and their medicinal uses. Discover ways to dye fabric the natural way or craft a star and make a wish for the New Year!

Check out some of our other regular live day activities, see the coal range in Puhi Nui homestead fired up and the blacksmiths at work in the forge. Pick up some old-fashioned lollies at the sweet shop or unwind at the Homestead Cafe. There will be something for everyone so make a day of it!

Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $45. Children under 5, members & annual pass holders - free entry. Tickets are available to pre-book on Eventfinda. Unlimited door sales will be available on the day.

Howick Historical Village (HHV) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any HHV event without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. Please see the event details on our website.

Join us at Howick Historical Village and step back in time to discover what the Victorians did on their days off, in leisure time devoted to crafts, hobbies and games!

See displays of quilts from the collection. Have a go at hand-crank sewing on a vintage Singer machine and learn how natural resources were used to dye fabrics. Make your own beeswax candle to take home. There will be something for everyone with parlour and outdoor games and children's crafts.

Meet costumed Villagers, see the coal range in Puhi Nui homestead fired up, blacksmiths at work at the forge and attend a Victorian school lesson. The sweet shop will be open and filled with old-fashioned lollies, fudge, and treats.

In a special session at 11 am, learn how to level up your garden with natural resources with the Village’s Heritage Gardener, Luke Southern. No booking is required.

Explore the heritage gardens or unwind at the Homestead Café for brunch or lunch. Make a day of it!

Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $45, child under 5, members & annual pass holders - free entry. Unlimited door sales are available. 

Howick Historical Village (HHV) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any HHV event without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. Please see the event details on our website. 

Howick Historical Village’s most iconic activity!

Churn cream into butter and observe the process of butter-making. Learn about it’s importance to 19th century families - a far cry from getting the margarine pot out of the fridge!

Join us this Mother’s Day as we celebrate Mums and mothering figures in our historic village and beautiful heritage gardens!

With a variety of activities such as candle making, dried lavender sachet workshops and a guided tour of our idyllic grounds, the day will be a fun and unique experience! There will be something for everyone with butter making, rag rugging, and crafts. Unwind and enjoy a picnic in our gardens or treat yourself to lunch at the Homestead Cafe.

Photographer Adrian Cook of TINTYPE CENTRAL will be back, producing images using an authentic 19th-century wet-plate technique. Book a special portrait session to receive a unique keepsake you will treasure forever.

Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family pass $45, child under 5 free, members & annual pass holders get free entry.

Howick Historical Village is open daily from 10 am-4 pm, with the last admissions at 3 pm. To stay up to date on events and promotions, follow @howickhistoricalvillage or subscribe to the newsletter at www.historicalvillage.org.nz.

For general enquiries, email village@historicalvillage.org.nz. 75 Bells Road, Pakuranga, Auckland (In Lloyd Elsmore Park).