The trailblazing Kiki House of Marama will be hosting the Grand Kiki House of Marama Ball at Te Papa on Saturday 4 October. The House goes into detail about the history of the Ballroom scene internationally and in Aotearoa New Zealand, who the Kiki House of Marama are, and whatRead more
As part of their coursework in COMD211 Tuhi Pikitia I Drawing I, Te Herenga Waka University students recently had the unique opportunity to visit Te Papa for a session led by Curator Art Lizzie Bisley, focused on the rich history of animal illustration. Held in an intimate reading room, the visitRead more
In May 2024, Level 5 of Toi Art was closed with a karakia — a quiet moment to acknowledge the space, the art it has held, and the people it has welcomed. Since opening in 2018, Toi Art has hosted more than three million visitors. It’s a place of connection,Read more
We are dedicating this blog post to acknowledge two honours recently bestowed on one of our own, Curator Vertebrates Dr Colin Miskelly. He has been made a Fellow of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and received the New Zealand Association of Scientists Cranwell Medal. A huge congratulations on these achievements, Colin!Read more
Te Papa is home to Aotearoa New Zealand’s national art collection, which includes work by pioneering artists such as William Hodgkins, John Gully, and Grace Joel. As only a small portion of the collection can ever be on display at one time, a new project from Te Papa Store canRead more
On 13 March 2024, Te Papa Press launched Te Ata o Tū The Shadow of Tūmatauenga: The New Zealand Wars Collections of Te Papa a book developed in partnership with iwi, which delves into Te Papa’s Mātauranga Māori, History, and Art collections to explore taonga and objects intimately connected with the key events and players associated with the New Zealand Wars. Here, the authors – Curator Mātauranga Māori Matiu Baker (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Whakaue), Curator New Zealand Histories and Cultures Katie Cooper, Research Associate Michael Fitzgerald, and Curator Historical New Zealand Art Rebecca Rice – answer ten questions about the book and the mahi involved to publish it.Read more
Te Au | The Current is a forum for fresh ideas around Aotearoa New Zealand’s toughest environmental challenges. It is a part of Te Taiao | Nature and aims to collect and reflect diverse opinions that could spark real-world change. All anonymous responses are shared with researchers via data.govt.nz. Visitors have now submitted over 120,000 responses on more than 20 different environmental issues. So, how do we present all this data in interesting ways?Read more
Pat was a stalwart of the museum, beginning in 1977. He was a curator of botany and expert on New Zealand ferns. But he was so much more, including curating Te Papa’s stamp collection, and at various times managing the natural history team and the museum’s acquisitions process. Significantly, he was a role-model, mentor, and friend to many. This blog is a tribute to his wide-ranging contributions to Te Papa and its people.Read more
It’s been three years since Covid-19 triggered lockdowns around the world, including here in Aotearoa New Zealand. We’ve just published a collection of online comics, highlighting a multitude of experiences faced by members of the Chinese New Zealand community during this time. Here, curator Grace Gassin introduces The Pandemic Chronicles.Read more
Thousands of people have worked at Te Papa – while it was being designed, then constructed, and since it opened to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand on 14 February 1998. Several kaimahi have worked here since before we opened, or from Day One, while many younger kaimahi have only ever known Te Papa as the national museum. Many of us are somewhere in between. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, some of our kaimahi share their memories of our place of work, Te Papa Tongarewa.Read more
