The Arts House Trust at Pah Homestead — Attraction in Puketāpapa

Visited for only the second time today and I think we encountered the same unpleasant staff member that others have experienced. During our first visit last year to see a relative's art exhibit, we were allowed to play the grand piano in the lobby. Based on this experience, I allowed my daughter to try the piano today. She was gently tapping a few keys one by one and genuinely appreciating the sound of the grand, when a female staff member came in to tell her not to play the piano. Now, I'm a big rule follower so if the piano had a sign saying not to play it we would have absolutely observed it. And I'd accept a polite request not to play it even though there is no sign to tell us that and even though we'd been allowed to play it before under similar circumstances. However we instead met someone who doesn't know how to communicate a simple request in a polite and respectful manner. She was instead very patronizing! She bizarrely chose to point out to us that it costs a lot of money to tune the piano. It was clear she felt the need to voice her disapproval, talk down to us and put us in our place. She proceeded to say that once my daughter can play Mozart she can play the piano there. But again it was an unnecessary and condescending comment. And what if I had then sat down and started playing one of Mozart's sonatas? Are there different rules for different people and skill levels? If there are please just tell us. But don't be that ugly person who talks down to a child just because they're a child. I'm not sure if she thought she was being funny with her comments, but she actually came across as a snotty cow. In future, if you don't want anyone to play the piano you should lock it, cover it or use a sign, like you do for the artworks. Don't be inconsistent with your own rules and then talk down to visitors who are respectfully enjoying the piano. We only came today to visit our old local cafe, Hill House. But if I come again, I won't bother looking around the homestead so I don't need to deal with this unpleasant woman again. Or I'll stick to Nathan Homestead where the people are polite...

Last night I was at the Pah Homestead for the last of the winter 'Dinner Crowds. For $85.00 pp I was expecting something very special, how wrong was I. We were given a glass of mulled wine on arrival, and after waiting for ages were given sourdough bread with house butter Soon after that the fire alarm went off and we were herded outside and had to wait out in the cold for at least 15 minutes until the fire engines arrived to give the all clear. There was then a delay before we got our entree which consisted of home made cannelloni stuffed with pumpkin, was so so, not great. No choice of mains so for people who didn't like Venison they were out of luck. I have to say it was very tender but the serving was small and no separate greens were served, only a small helping of mashed potato. At 10pm some people were only just being served their main course so a few of us decided to leave as it would have been at least another half hour before dessert came. I have since heard that the dessert was terrible. I don't mind paying for good quality food but this would have to have been one of the worst eating experiences I have had in years. Needless to say I will not...

How to be pleasant, respectful and yet give a (partly) negative review. I love PAH Homestead. I love everything about it, the grounds, building, cafe, atmosphere and besides all these great features they show great art. But, here it comes: this time most of the displayed items were less than good. And this is not a matter of taste, it's a matter of quality. They are basic amateurish items not suitable for hanging/sitting in the PAH gallery. Curators, back to the drawing board - how to raise the standards of your collection. The plus side: The cafe is great (the coffee and food good) and the grounds are great, the staff is lovely so....all in all a wonderful experience and one (especially the 'art') we will be talking about for some...