Science, Library Services and Managing Risk to our Collections You may have seen the story about Te Papa on Campbell Live on Monday night which questioned our commitment to Science, and the future of our collections. Some of the points made in the story were misleading and inaccurate and this communicationRead more

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There’s been some publicity about Te Papa lately and in particular our commitment to science and the future of the National Collections.  Just so we’re all clear, here are the facts. Te Papa’s commitment to science hasn’t changed, in fact we are strengthening it.  We have not reduced our numbersRead more

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What’s happening in the world of loans? There are a few exciting exhibitions on in the greater Wellington region that are worthwhile checking out and seeing some of our collection items at other Museums. At the Dowse Art Museum you can see Myths, Monsters & Magical Things from 9 MarchRead more

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Curator Dougal Austin condition reporting all 216 objects, November 2012. Callum Strong.

Kura Pounamu is Te Papa’s first exhibition of Maori Taonga in China since the National Museum sent Maori artifacts in 1978. The mutual appreciation of ‘green stone’ jadite (jade) and nephrite (pounamu) provided an ideal platform for re-establishing a cultural exchange. The exhibition required ease of installation and minimal objectRead more

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Hardens Hand Grenade Fire Extinguisher. Photographer: Andrea Hearfield.Te Papa

A little while ago I told you about the return of the Masterton Museum collection to Aratoi, thereby honouring a 58 year-old agreement.  In that collection there were some really interesting items so I thought I would tell you about another one of them. It is a very pretty blueRead more

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Ship's biscuit. Photographer: Robert Clendon.Te Papa

In any museum collection you will find items or entire collections that were lent at some point in the distant past, sometimes more than a hundred years ago.  It is always rewarding when a relationship is re-established with the owner and the items or collection can be returned to itsRead more

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Coming up on 7 July 2012 is the opening of the first major group exhibition of contemporary Pacific art developed by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Home AKL is a dynamic exhibition presenting works by Pacific artists, most of whom live in Auckland. The exhibition reveals the increasingly significantRead more

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[Dame Whina Cooper], 1980s, New Zealand. Westra, Ans. Purchased 1993 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa

In an exhibition that might raise as many questions as it provides answers, Brian Easton, curator of The Makers of Modern New Zealand 1930 – 1990 exhibition at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, welcomes the element of debate that could emerge from his choice of subjects. Dr Easton, economist, writerRead more

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Adam Art Gallery has opened a new exhibition this November: Shadowgraphs: Photographic Portraits by Len Lye. The exhibition runs from 19 November to 18 December 2011 and comprehensive presents a selection of the cameraless photographic portraits made by Len Lye in 1947. Lye’s photographs will be contextualised with other material, including silhouettes,Read more

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Sextant, 1916, New Zealand. von Zatorski, Walter. Gift of the Minister of Defence, 1918. Te Papa

Pataka Museum is about to open another exciting show on 13 November 2011. The exhibition, called Germany and Samoa – Old Ties and New Relationships, investigates the impact and legacy of the profoundly significant historical relationship between Germany and Samoa from 1900 – 1914. The exhibition will feature photos, artefacts, andRead more

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“In these rooms you will hear the stories of our people: our origins across the Pacific, our arrival in Aotearoa, and the life we created over many generations. You will meet the leaders, heroes and guardians who have shaped who we are today. And you will discover the taonga (treasures)Read more

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The Torres Strait Islander Festival which happens once a year in Queensland, Australia, marks a rare opportunity to raise awareness of its important culture. The overall intent of the Festival is to celebrate the contemporary and historical culture of Torres Strait Islanders. The Queensland Museum exhibition Awakening: Stories from theRead more

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