Exhibition a red-letter day

Rotorua Museum staff member Jess Skellern is keen for visitors to come and see the new exhibitions.Photo / Stephen Parker

Visitors to Rotorua Museum lately have been learning the Maori alphabet and having family play time.

Last weekend the museum opened two new exhibitions: AEIOU: Tuhurahia te Arapu Maori/Explore the Maori alphabet and Play Space.

AEIOU features a large mural by James Turkington, originally displayed at Rotorua Airport.

Visitors are encouraged to find things within the painting starting with the 15 letters that make up the Maori alphabet.

Rotorua artist Kereama Taepa has created unique designs for each of the 15 letters.

Joanna Doherty, communications and events lead at the museum, said the exhibition was diverse.

"It's all about exploring the Maori alphabet and it's our very first bilingual exhibition. There's a really diverse mix of things," she said.

Play Space is an interactive play area for families to build, create, climb and explore.

AEIOU will be open until May and the Play Space until around February.