Tuna, or freshwater eels, are taonga species with an incredible life cycle. They travel vast distances, live for decades, and live for up to 100 years.
During this Matariki programme, tamariki will begin their morning in Exscite, learning about the lifecycle of eels and playing with our playful and cheeky eel projection.
In the afternoon, they will visit our He Momo Nā te Whānau exhibition to explore how the natural world inspires jewellery, art and creative practice. From there, it’s time to get hands‑on and let imaginations wriggle free.
Working with local artist Pepi‑Joy Gilgen, tamariki will create their own soft‑sculpture eel to take home. Each eel will be unique and will make very low‑maintenance pets!
About Pepi-Joy Gilgen
Pepi‑Joy Gilgen is an emerging artist based in Aotearoa New Zealand. In this school holiday programme, Pepi‑Joy works with soft sculpture techniques, guiding tamariki to create eel forms using textiles, padding, and hand‑assembled materials. Her approach emphasises playful making, tactile learning, and transforming ideas from the natural world into three‑dimensional artworks that can be handled, shaped, and taken home.
Matariki ki te Waikato
We're proud to be part of the Matariki Ki Waikato Festival, a celebration of Matariki with unique events across the Waikato.
Terms & Conditions
What to bring
Please make sure your child brings a packed lunch and a water bottle.
Pick Up Times
Children will be ready for collection from 2:45pm onwards. If you need to pick up your child earlier, please let us know at check in. Children collected ater 3pm may incur an additional charge for extended supervision. of $10 per 10 minutes.
Code of Conduct
To help us create a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, please let our team know about any behavioural needs or considerations when you book.
We have a zero-tolerance approach to:
- Foul language
- Physical violence
- Intentional damage to our space, tikanga, or taonga
If a child’s behaviour puts others or the Museum at risk, we may need to contact you for immediate pick-up. In some cases, this may affect future participation in our school holiday programmes.
Damage
By confirming your booking, you agree to cover the cost of any damage caused by your child’s misconduct.
from $55