Classes
Now that our studio is built we’re keen to share our knowledge about clay – how to turn your ideas into reality and to explore this amazing material. Our studio is well equiped with Leach style treadle wheels, lots of workspace and storage, fully stocked with glaze materials and a selection of moulds and other equipment for hand building.
For the 2026 Workshops we’re only taking bookings after the “Booking opens” date listed in the class details. To book, please click on the button that is below the workshop open for bookings. We work on a first in, first served order and full payment of the course fee is required to secure your place on the workshop. Please read the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of this page.
The tutor for all 2026 workshops will be Duncan Shearer
Day Workshops for 2026
Engobes and slips
Date: 14 March, 9am to 4pm
Bookings Open: 21 February 9am
This workshop explores how to create a range of surface effects by using slips or engobes. We will look at vitreous formulations, crackle slips, flashing slips, sigillatas and effect slips that offer a new world of surface decoration. We will be making slips up and applying them to your favourite clay to see the opportunities that these surfaces can bring to your work. Please bring your own clay and basic handbuilding tools.
Maximum 6 students, $230 (includes refreshments and lunch)
Throwing and Altering
Date: 2 May, 9am to 4pm
Bookings open: 4 April 9am
This workshop explores how the wheel can be used to create shapes, raw forms that are then cut, altered and joined in interesting ways. We’ll start with learning ring throwing and then move onto the art of gusset cutting. Some basic wheel throwing skills are required. We’ll also be looking at additions, like spouts and handles that can help give a function to the new forms. Some throwing skills essential. Please bring your own clay and throwing tools (we will have the standard studio clay available for you to use as well).
Maximum 4 students, $230 (includes refreshments and lunch)
Glaze Technology – Beginner
Date: 6 June, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 9 May 9am
This course covers glazing methods including pouring, dipping and spraying using specialised tools. We also explore layering using a variety of different resist methods. Additionally we cover a basic overview of how to make up a glaze, the materials that make up a glaze and what to look for in choosing a new glaze recipe. Please bring some of your own bisque ware to practice on.
Maximum 6 students, $230 (includes refreshments and lunch).
Glaze Technology – Intermediate
Date: 4 July, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 13 June 9am
This course is focussed on understanding the materials that are used in making up a glaze, how to formulate a glaze recipe and test it. We look at how to take an existing glaze and make it your own by adapting it to your clay and style. You will have a go at glaze test trials and learn tips of the trade about material selection. There will also be time to answer your specific glaze issue.
Maximum 6 students. $230 (includes refreshments and lunch)
Glaze Technology – Advanced
Date: 1 August, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 11 July 9am
Delve into the chemistry that sits behind the materials we use in glazes. This course is focussed on understanding Unity Molecular Formula and how that applies to your glazes. We look at the important ratios between different oxides and how these affect your glazes. We will be using various computer programmes and experiments to understand how the ratios alter glazes.
Maximum 6 students. $230 (includes refreshments and lunch).
Found Clay Processing and Clay Modifications
Date: 17 October, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 26 September 9am
How to find clays locally, test them and adapt them into your studio practice. Connect your work to your environment in the most intimate way possible – by using found clays in your work. We’ll look at ways of processing the clay, finding out its’ characteristics and solve technical issues with using local resources. We will also experiment with mixing clays and a variety of ‘additives’ that can help improve a new clay mix. Bring your own clay to test.
Maximum 6 students. $230 (includes refreshments and lunch).
Weekend Workshops for 2026
Taming of the Kiln
Dates: 28 & 29 March, all day. Kiln opens on 1 April
Booking opens: 14 February 9am
This workshop is an introduction to wood firing and the soda glazing process. Based around loading and firing of our wood kiln for a soda firing we will also be covering the principles at work in wood fired kilns. Work for the firing will need to be bisque fired and glazed with suitable stoneware glazes (firing to cone 11, 1300 degrees), loading on Saturday and firing on Sunday. The kiln will be unloaded on the following Wednesday. We have a limited range of glazes and flashing slips available, comprehensive notes will be emailed to you once your booking is confirmed.
Maximum 6 students, $460 (includes refreshments and lunches)
Mastering Wood Firing Effects
Dates: 19 & 20 September, all day. Kiln opens on 23 September
Booking opens: 8 August 9am
A more advanced workshop to the earlier ‘Taming of the Kiln’ workshop that is focussed on you developing an individual approach and aesthetic to wood fired soda glazing and improving your understanding of the firing process. So you do need to have had some experience with wood firing and soda glaze. We will be exploring different slips, glazes and clays and firing pieces raw where necessary. We will be loading on Saturday, firing on Sunday with the unloading happening on the following Wednesday
Maximum 6 students. $460 (includes refreshments and lunches).
If you want more information or discuss whether you have enough experience with wood firing then please get in touch.
Accommodation options
If you want to stay overnight in our area then hunt out the various accommodation options using the following locations: Karangahake, Paeroa, Waikino, Waihi, Waihi Beach.
Airbnb options:
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- Rahu Road Pottery reserves the right to cancel a class if it fails to achieve a minimum number of enrolments, or for reasons outside its control. A full refund will be given if the course is cancelled by Rahu Road Pottery.
- If a student cancels their enrolment three or more weeks prior to course commencement then a full refund will be given. If a student cancels their enrolment within two weeks of course commencement then a refund will be given minus an administration fee of $50. If a student cancels their enrolment within one week or after the start date of the course then no refund will be given.
- A confirmed booking requires full payment of the tuition fee within a week of booking.
- Rahu Road Pottery reserves the right to discontinue tuition for any student deemed to be unsuitable for the course.
- Rahu Road Pottery reserves the right to change the tutor on advertised courses and replace that tutor with another suitable tutor without advertising those changes or refunding course fees.
- All students must comply with the Health and Safety policy of Rahu Road Pottery.