Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre.
Go on a journey through the history and culture of our people at our state of the art, immersive cultural centre, Te Ana. We are the kaitiaki (gaurdians) of one of the most significant collections of ancient Māori rock art in the country – eight tribal taonga (treasures) cut from sites over a hundred years ago, now returned to their home and their people. Retrace the seasonal journeys of our ancestors, and explore the practice of rock drawing: make your own rock art, hold an ancient moa bone, shelter form Pouakai the giant eagle in the cave of the Taniwha . . . .
Centre Details:
Location: Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre, 2 George St, Timaru
Hours: Open Tuesday-Friday – 10am – 3.30pm, Saturday 10am-3pm
Two tour options, you can choose to go self guided through the fully interactive centre or have a local Ngāi Tahu guide take you through and personalise the tour.
Please note children aged 5-15 years, must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Guided Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre and Rock Art Site Tours
Explore Aotearoa / New Zealand’s first art galleries – where haunting images were painted on the walls and ceilings of limestone caves by our ancestors many hundreds of years ago. Follow in their footsteps, share their stories, immerse yourself in local Ngāi Tahu culture.
Tour Details:
Time: 1pm Tuesday-Saturday, Tours run from 1 November – 31 March (or by arrangement)
Location: Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre 2 George Street, Timaru
Please note children aged 5-15 years, must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Duration: Allow 3.5 hours in Total
- Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre guided tour – 1 hour
- 35-minute drive from Timaru to the rock art site (follow guide in your own vehicle).
- Brief stop at Pleasant Point township – bathroom break
- Duration at the rock art site, approximately 1-1.5 hours
Important Information to consider:
- Follow Guide in your own vehicle
- The walk into the valley (10-15 minutes) across uneven farmland may be challenging for some visitors. It is sloping and steeper in places.
- Walking involved from start to finish, total: 1.28km/1280 metres/4,199.48 feet
- Good footwear is essential – either tramping or walking shoes (at times can be muddy under foot)
- The rock art site visit is unsuitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs, moonboots, and crutches.
- Please note there is only a portaloo toilet at the rock art site. A pre-stop at Pleasant Point township public facilities, is recommended.
- Wear comfortable clothing and plan for weather conditions i.e hot – sunscreen, hat and light clothing or cold weather – warm jacket and hat
- Bring a bottle of water
- If you require medication e.g., asthma pump, EpiPen or heart medication etc. please carry with you at all times ,on rock art site tour
- Rain would cancel or postpone your rock art site tour, due to terrain and health & safety protocols (centre tour can still go ahead)
- If there has been significant rainfall prior to visit, there could be a chance of postponement or cancellation
- Masks optional inside Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre, not required for rock art site