Education and Community
WELCOME TO WHIRINAKI WHARE TAONGA EDUCATION PROGRAMMES
Meet Karen Nel – Our New Learning Programmes Specialist!
We’re excited to welcome Karen Nel to the Whirinaki Whare Taonga team as our new Learning Programmes Specialist!
Karen is absolutely thrilled to be stepping into this role, her background in Education and Visual Arts. She brings a vibrant blend of creativity, experience, and heart to everything she does. With a background in visual arts, teaching, and diversional therapy, Karen has worked with learners of all ages—from early childhood to aged care—always using the arts as a powerful tool for connection, curiosity, and growth.
She’s passionate about creating hands-on, playful workshops that ignite imagination, and she’s a firm believer that everyone is an artist when given the chance to explore and create.
Karen is looking forward to welcoming tamariki into the treasure house of Upper Hutt and sharing the magic of our exhibitions through learning.
To book a session or get in touch, contact her at karen.nel@whirinakiarts.org.nz
Click here to view the Educational Opportunities for Term Three of 2025
Click here to for the Risk and Management Safety Checklist for Learning Programme Visits to Whirinaki.
PUMPKIN COTTAGE RESOURCES
Pumpkin Cottage at Silverstream was the nurturing ground of a nationally significant impressionist movement. Find out more with our Online Education resources.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
There is an open invitation for Early childhood centres to visit the galleries and see the latest exhibitions on display.
PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE
Programmes will be aligned with the national curriculum including key competencies and enquiry learning. The Learning Programmes Specialist will work with you to ensure the visit is tailored to your programme.
SECONDARY
We will work with you to ensure that your visits are aligned with your curriculum subjects and the information on offer is both relevant and informative, supporting the learning in the classroom.