Rare Creations Interactive Wooden Art Gallery
Rare Creations Interactive Wooden Art Gallery
Rare Creations Interactive Wooden Art Gallery
5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Interactive Wooden Art Gallery, RARE CREATIONS offers Contemporary Furniture and a huge range of related wooden art and technical kit sets from 3 to 99 years old to bring back the lost creativity. It is the only gallery where it is almost compulsory to touch as we have many technical moving toys and sculptures.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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5.0
118 reviews
Excellent
113
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Venture784771
Nelson, New Zealand15 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
We visit this amazing gallery several times a year - in fact we take all our out of town visitors there. They invariably remark that they've never seen such an eclectic collection of clever wooden objects, machines, and fine furniture pieces. Andreas is a most personable and enthusiastic craftsman and collector. A stop at Rare Creations is guaranteed to brighten your day.
Written 10 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you heaps for the great review you have given me, made my day realy.
Kind Regards, Andreas
Written 23 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JuliaCP-NZ
7 contributions
Jun 2022
This interactive gallery demonstrates amazing creativity (inspiring!) and very welcoming to all respectful visitors (young or old).
It's free to visit but you can get a unique gift or souvenir for yourself, if you want to!
It is not really 'hidden' but you could miss it if you stick to the newer entry /exit routes to Mapua. In reality it is only 2 mins drive from the centre of Mapua! We thought is was worth the effort :-)
It's free to visit but you can get a unique gift or souvenir for yourself, if you want to!
It is not really 'hidden' but you could miss it if you stick to the newer entry /exit routes to Mapua. In reality it is only 2 mins drive from the centre of Mapua! We thought is was worth the effort :-)
Written 28 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne F
Omokoroa Beach, New Zealand3 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Execellent must visit in Mapua. I was amazed by the creativity and skilled craftsmanship of the beautiful wooden furniture, styled to fit the body, creative unique designs, not seen before. A very interactive shop with amazing variety from interactive music boxes to bespoke furniture. A must visit, allow minimum 30 minutes plus, to see and try everything. A very skilled master craftsman, a wow factor.
Written 11 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Owen Shaw
3 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We visited Mapua for the views and happened upon Andreas Nieman's wonderful living display of craftmanship, ingenuity and artistic vision. Everywhere, working kitsets made of wood, interactive displays to keep kids fascinated for hours and beautifully crafted furniture. To top it all off, a cafe where coffee is delivered by a model train!! It is a working , living symphony in praise of craftsmanship, natural products and endless imagination that appeals to young and old . You could talk to Andreas himself for hours about his work and the work of others like him. A must see.. and be prepared to take your time. A joyous experience.
Written 31 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
feebee440
Dubai, United Arab Emirates9 contributions
Jun 2021
Rare Creations is just the coolest. It's rare that I visit a venue that has truly unique and inspiring wares on display which are fascinating to see in action, and also reasonably priced! The shop is as much a curiosity museum of futuristic and fun items as it is a shop. Although children would definitely find it fascinating, you'd have to take care that they don't break things, as the items are delicate. (Polite reminders of this are everywhere, but certainly not in an unwelcoming way). I definitely recommend this as a must-do visit in the Mapua area. We spent around 20 mins in-store but you could easily spend longer. The owner-operators are friendly, informative and not at all pushy.
Written 22 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JuD
Ruby Bay, New Zealand80 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
While the models in the shop are great for kids & adults, beware if you buy something that falls apart the owner is not interested in fixing.
In fact the owner was extremely obnoxious in front of my grandchildren, enough for them to say when we left that he was rude to me.
I bought one of those things you move in your hand when stressed etc. It fell apart after a couple of times, on my carpet. I had no idea what was missing when putting it back together as it had very small parts. When I took it back with my grandchildren, the owner belittled me & told me it was something with moving parts so I should expect it might come apart!
I asked if he could fix it but he told me that was my problem.
I was extremely embarrassed and for my grandchildren to comment on his behavior made our experience even worse.
I had bought several items and some light shades from here previously.
Will never shop here again.
In fact the owner was extremely obnoxious in front of my grandchildren, enough for them to say when we left that he was rude to me.
I bought one of those things you move in your hand when stressed etc. It fell apart after a couple of times, on my carpet. I had no idea what was missing when putting it back together as it had very small parts. When I took it back with my grandchildren, the owner belittled me & told me it was something with moving parts so I should expect it might come apart!
I asked if he could fix it but he told me that was my problem.
I was extremely embarrassed and for my grandchildren to comment on his behavior made our experience even worse.
I had bought several items and some light shades from here previously.
Will never shop here again.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Julie
I am sorry that you had these negative experiences in our shop.
We love kids in our shop, hence the interactive toys for them, I can honestly say that I am never extremely obnoxious in front of any children.
We can get a little anxious when we have kids not being properly supervised, as we also many fragile art works in here.
I remember the spinner toy you have bought for your kids a few month ago.
I usually mention to my customers when they buy these toys to check that the screws are tight, as they can be taken apart as well.
I am sorry that I did not had the time to screw it back together for you at that moment, but it is quite easy really and that is what I told you.
These toys are made for assembling and dismantling so it is not broken really.
Kind Regards, Andreas
Written 13 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karin S
3 contributions
Jan 2023
What a fabulously magical wondrous place full of beautifully crafted, fantastical and fascinating wooden creations, sculptures, toys, furniture carefully selected from all around the world as well as made in the workshop by owner/craftsman Andrea directly behind the gallery. A perfect way to spend an hour or two whether you are 5 or 95 years old. Highly recommended!
Written 8 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dream62464132416
1 contribution
May 2023
OMG this place is a must see, the most amazing interactive sculptures and spectacular craftsmanship. It’s like Charlie and the Chocolate factory with wooden treasures. Absolutely magical, might need to pop in a few times just to make sure I didn’t miss something 💕
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendon
Bondi, Australia6 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Little do you know what's in store for you when you park at the nondescript carpark with a portable toilet. Things start to pique one's interest when you order a coffee and a (very) hot chilli sausage roll in the caravan restaurant outside and it is delivered by a model train! The shop itself is packed full of unique furniture, gizmos, educational kits, tools, toys and beautifully crafted products and amazingly you can play with them all!! Wow, what a fantastic hands-on experience, with helpful guidance and advice from the proprietor who is a cabinet maker and the innovator behind all of the larger and many of the smaller wooden creations. No entry fee although I left with a large bag full of amazing goodies. A must-see en route to Mapua!
Written 17 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DaveMcKingseat
Wakefield, New Zealand18 contributions
Jan 2023
Amazing display of interactive precision wooden engineering. Moving models, fine woodcraft creations, furniture, seats, lights, lamps, and many unique items.
A mix of carefully curated items from around the world and make locally in the fine workshop out the back.
Andy really captures the essence of precision wood and plywood as sophisticated media for beautiful wooden engineering.
A mix of carefully curated items from around the world and make locally in the fine workshop out the back.
Andy really captures the essence of precision wood and plywood as sophisticated media for beautiful wooden engineering.
Written 9 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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