Handcrafted Pottery in the Heart of Pinehaven Reserve.
A cooperative community of around 40 local potters sharing wheels, kilns, and knowledge in Upper Hutt.
“Tucked away under the native trees in Pinehaven Reserve, Pinehaven Potters is an incorporated community pottery society run entirely by its members. We aren't a commercial ceramics school—we are a friendly, collaborative group of potters of all experience levels who gather to throw, handbuild, glaze, and learn together.”
How Our Club Works
Strictly peer-run • No commercial ego • Tea & biscuits on the bench
Cooperative Spirit
Every member contributes to running the clubrooms, from studio cleanup bees and pugmill recycling to maintaining equipment, mixing glazes, and loading firing cycles.
Peer Learning
Rather than formal structured commercial lessons, our club thrives on informal peer support during club sessions. Experienced potters are always happy to share tips on centering, trimming, or glaze chemistry.
Studio Facilities
Our workshop is equipped with 6 electric pottery wheels, a heavy-duty slab roller, a wall-mounted extruder, dedicated club glaze vats, a 3-bucket clay-trap wash system, and computer-controlled electric kilns.
Approved Studio Clays & Club Glaze Vats
To protect our shared electric kiln shelves from low-fire meltdowns, members work with approved mid-fire stoneware bodies (fired to Bisque 1000°C and Glaze Cone 6 / 1220°C) and dip from our house glaze buckets:
Nelson Potters • Smooth throwing stoneware
CCG • Iron flecks bleed through glazes
Rich warm terracotta stoneware body
Clay Shrinkage Scrubber
Studio Sessions & 24/7 Access
Weekly Shared Club Sessions
Peer Support On-SiteOur communal sessions are when the kettle is boiling, the studio doors are open to members, and experienced potters are around to swap advice:
Wheel throwing, handbuilding, glazing chat, and supper.
Morning sun in the reserve, trimming, glazing, and kiln unloading.
24/7 Independent Keyholder Access
Active MembersOnce inducted, active members receive independent keyholder access and can use the studio and equipment at any time of day or week that suits them.
Members are asked to preferably not use or remain in the studio while a kiln is actively running (for fume ventilation, heat, and electrical load stability). Always check the live Kiln Status bar at the top of this site before heading down!
Finding Us in Pinehaven Reserve
Our studio is housed in the converted pavilion / cricket changing rooms nestled among native bush and ponga trees in Pinehaven Reserve, off Pinehaven Road, Upper Hutt.
- 🅿️ Parking: Free off-street parking is available right in the Pinehaven Reserve carpark next to the playground.
- 🌿 Walking Path: Follow the paved path beside the reserve lawn up to the clubroom doors.
Why We Can’t Take Unannounced Drop-Ins
Because our clubrooms are cosy, wheels are in high demand, and sessions are run by volunteers working on their own pottery, we cannot accommodate unannounced casual drop-in visitors or one-off public throwing sessions.
If you’re keen to visit, look around, or join the club, please join our waitlist below or message our Secretary on WhatsApp so we can arrange a proper time to welcome you!
Handcrafted in Pinehaven
A curated showcase of functional ware, sculptural ceramics, and experimental glazes shared by our members.
From Powdery Dip to Cone 6 Stoneware
Pottery glazes look chalky and unrecognizable when first dipped in the studio buckets. Drag the slider to see how #G01 Pinehaven Oatmeal layered over #G02 Trentham Tenmoku transforms at 1220°C on Speckled Buff clay.
Membership & Waitlist Application
Club Dues & Firing Rates
As a non-profit incorporated society, our fees are kept as affordable as possible to simply cover electricity, kiln elements, glaze materials, and council lease costs.
Join the Membership Waitlist
Because our studio is capped at around 40 active members for safety and wheel availability, new members are inducted from our waitlist as spots open up.
Upcoming Events
Upper Hutt Art Trail
Come visit our club showcase and exhibition table! Members will be demonstrating wheel and handbuilding techniques, selling handmade functional and artistic ware, and running our annual club raffle.
Annual General Meeting & Social
Our annual general meeting, 2026/27 committee officer elections, studio reflection, and afternoon member BBQ social. Details and RSVP shared in the club WhatsApp group.
Raku & Specialty Firings
Outdoor seasonal community firings—pulling glowing bisqued pots at 1000°C into sawdust reduction bins for metallic copper lustres and crackle glazes. Dates announced in advance (weather & fire-season permitting).
Club Committee & Governance
Run by volunteers, for our community.
Pinehaven Potters is an incorporated community society governed by an elected volunteer committee of members. For general inquiries, waitlist questions, or official correspondence, please contact us via our club email or WhatsApp.
