South Pacific
New Zealand
South Island
West Coast Region
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Franz Josef
Things to do in Franz Josef
Te Koha Gallery
See all things to do

Te Koha Gallery

See all things to do
See all things to do
Te Koha Gallery
4.5
#1 of 5 Shopping in Franz Josef
Speciality & Gift ShopsArt GalleriesLessons & Workshops
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Write a review
About
Set in our home our studio offers a friendly environment to carve a traditional or contemporary piece of New Zealand Stone - Nephrite Jade, Tangi Wai, Aotea, Rhodonite. Open 7 days a week at our home based studio. People of all ages and nationalities have had the chance to carve their own piece of our culture either as a gift or for themselves. This activity generally takes 1-2 hours depending on what we are carving. No artistic ability is required and people have really surprised themselves with what they have achieved. Its all about putting your energy into our special stones by making it yourself. A very unique souvenir unlike any other either for yourself or as a special gift.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
12 within 5 kms
Alice May
2,089
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • International • European
BLUE ICE RESTAURANT & BAR
935
26 m$$ - $$$ • International • New Zealand • Vegetarian Friendly
Snake Bite Brewery
1,478
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Asian • Fusion
The Landing
1,962
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • New Zealand
Monsoon Bar & Restaurant
845
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pizza • International
Full Of Beans
1,015
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • New Zealand • Vegetarian Friendly
King Tiger Eastern Eating House & Bar
1,024
0.7 km$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Indian • Asian
The Canopy Restaurant
58
0.5 km$$$$ • International • European • New Zealand
Canavan's Restaurant
29
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • International • European • New Zealand
Grill N Wok Cafe, Bar & Restaurant
10
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • European • Asian
See all
Attractions
16 within 10 kms
Terrace Walk
25
0.1 kmHiking Trails
West Coast Wildlife Centre
1,032
0.3 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
Tatare Tunnels Walk
121
0.3 kmNature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Callery Gorge Walk
56
0.3 kmHiking Trails • Scenic Walking Areas
Te Ara a Waiau Walkway/Cycleway
2
0.5 kmBiking Trails • Hiking Trails
Franz Josef i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
89
0.7 kmVisitor Centres
Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre (Franz Josef)
32
0.7 kmVisitor Centres
Franz Josef Glacier
3,619
4.5 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Hiking Trails
Roberts Point Track
84
3.6 kmHiking Trails
Peters Pool Walk
82
4.5 kmHiking Trails
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
119 reviews
Excellent
100
Very good
12
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Steven P
Cairns, Australia59 contributions
A beautiful intimate experience for my wife and I
Aug 2023 • Couples
We planned to be in Franz Josef for a few days to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. And what better way to celebrate this special day, than by make a beautiful and spiritual piece of Jade jewellery for one another.

We were lucky, on the day we visited the gallery, we were the only 2 booked in for our 1hr Jade making experience.

It was so intimate, we got to talk to the host in so much detail, connecting on a spiritual level given I am an Indigenous Australian, and the host had cultural connections to the land on which she operated - along with Jade being such an important part of Moiri culture.

We had an amazing time. The jewelry we crafted for each other is very special. We wore our pieces we created for a few days, this is so our spirit is attached to the Jade. A few days later we gifted our Jade to each other. It's a very amazing experience, because you have the elders spirits embedded in the rock from the Moiri culture, along with our spirit now attached.

Potentially, given I'm Indigenous, I can sense certain things others may not, but we have been travelling around NZ in sub zero temperatures (in some parts), and yet the Jade I wear (that my wife created), always remains warm. To touch it, or hold it in my hand, it is always warm.

Absolutely amazing. Highly recommend.
Written 27 August 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.
Sue F
14 contributions
Marvellous couple of hours experience!
Mar 2023
We saw this place advertised when looking for things to do whilst in Franz Josef. It was an amazing workshop experience and you really do not need to have done anything like it before. Jan and Mike, the hosts were so welcoming (to their workshop next to their farmhouse home) and made us feel at our ease straight away.
We both came away with our own uniquely crafted pieces of jade that we were so proud of, having selected our raw pieces of stone from a huge bench covered with all differently coloured and shaped ‘raw’ stones.
Thank you Jan and Mike for a great time and we would highly recommend this to anyone.
Written 8 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.
Charlotte E
Bradford, UK56 contributions
Amazing workshop experience!
Feb 2023 • Friends
Amazing workshop experience in a beautiful location! Picked up from accommodation, drove to a beautiful farm building with stunning scenery. Jan was incredible knowledgeable, thoughtful, patient and attentive. Would recommend and would return!!
Written 18 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.
NZFamilyO
Auckland Central, New Zealand28 contributions
Created something special
Feb 2023 • Couples
Really enjoyable time making my own special piece of pounamu. It felt uniquely Kiwi and West Coast - in a beautiful spot just out of Franz Josef. Jane was a great host, sharing stories of the area freely.
Written 4 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.
littlecoldkiwi
36 contributions
Fantastic and not to be missed! A real must do and I don’t say that often. Great value for money.
Jan 2023 • Couples
Wow. I’m so pleased I found this fantastic little stop, a one of a kind unique experience and I loved it. Hugely worth the money and the owner is a really wonderful person. It’s a chance to select your own piece of stone and craft it into something truly personal and unique that you will treasure for ever.
Written 10 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.
Gerwin P
Huis ter Heide, The Netherlands12 contributions
Great activity, excellent host!
Dec 2022 • Family
We had a great time making our own Gemstone pieces. After a little instruction, each got to pick their stone to be working on. We had some good laughs, and the end products where to be proud of. I would recommend this !
Written 30 December 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.
Tori
1 contribution
Great carving experience
Dec 2022 • Solo
Had an amazing time with Jan and Mike carving. They are exceptionally supportive and help guide you through the whole experience. Jan is great at explaining all the steps and always around if you need a hand. Mike is a great laugh and was happy to help or chat if you need. Would definitely recommend to others and thanks for the beautiful experience!
Tori
Written 8 December 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.
Bec
Birmingham, UK537 contributions
Great jade carving experience
Jun 2022 • Couples
I booked a jade carving session for me and my parents and we had such a great time! It was a really relaxed session as we were taught how to carve, engrave and polish our pieces. She has some excellent pieces of jade to choose from.
We were each asked what we wanted to make and were each taken through the process having help when needed. Thank you!!
Written 4 July 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.
Karaltea
Honolulu, HI11 contributions
Wonderful experience!
Apr 2022 • Family
Our family went to Te Koha Gallery for jade carving. Jan was really lovely. She taught us how to carve, smooth, shine, and buff the stone. Her instructions and suggestions were very helpful. We loved the relaxed atmosphere and the one-on-one attention. It was a beautiful place to make our memorable jade and aotea carvings.
Written 26 April 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.
corfi
Christchurch, New Zealand21 contributions
Loved it!
Apr 2022 • Family
Amazing experience… especially great on a wet west coast day!! The kids really enjoyed the experience, Jan was so lovely and supportive. The kids are so proud of their beautiful keepsakes!!
Written 19 April 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.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 111
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

TE KOHA GALLERY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Te Koha Gallery
Te Koha Gallery is open:
  • Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Restaurants near Te Koha Gallery: View all restaurants near Te Koha Gallery on Tripadvisor