“Bohemia Ware” vase, 1951-1952, New Zealand, by Mirek Smisek, Crown Lynn Potteries Ltd.

It is with sadness that we farewell the distinguished New Zealand potter Mirek Smisek, who passed away last week. Mirek’s life was dedicated to his craft. He began working with clay in Sydney, after having left his devastated homeland, Czechoslovakia, at the end of World War II. Mirek consolidated his passion forRead more

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Way back in April 2012 we agreed to lend the Yale Centre of British Art a painting from our collection for their extravagant exhibition Edwardian Opulence: British Art at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century. The exhibition opened on 28 February 2013 and closes on 2 June 2013 so ifRead more

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To celebrate le vaiaso o le gagana Sämoa (Sämoan language week) 26-31 May 2013, the Pacific Cultures curators are highlighting stories related to cultural treasures from Sämoa. We are co-writing these blogs with Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin from Samoan Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. We will publish a blog eachRead more

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“Whakanuia te Tau Hou Māori ki te Taiopenga o Matariki ki Te Papa. I tēnei tau ka whai tātou i te kōrero mō te whakarauora o Matariki rātou ko āna tamāhine i a Tama-nui-i-te-rā. Ko te mana whakaora tēnei o te ira wahine, o te ira tupua, o ngā whetūRead more

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Georgina shows off her work. Photographer: Melanie Dash © Te Papa

Melanie Dash, one of our audience engagement team, travelled to the South Island to work with schools on our Wonder Box project. Students get the chance to have their work displayed at Te Papa. Find out what Melanie and the students got up to… 14 May 2013 – You’re the curator! It’s aRead more

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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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Steeped in history, Solander Island stands as a reminder of how beautiful it once was in this land which once was the kingdom of the birds. Monday 6 May Our party of 3 comprising Dr Dominique Filippi, Director Sextant Technology Ltd, Jean Claude Stahl (photographer scientist) and myself (Michael Hall)Read more

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Moin! That is how you say Kia ora or Hello in Oldenburg, which is where my family and I have been living since August 2012. As I near the half-way point in my 18-month fellowship, I thought I would show you where I am living, update you on what IRead 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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Sex chromosomes in birds and mammals.

The males and females of many bird species are difficult to distinguish by their appearance (peacocks are a notable exception). There are many situations where it is useful to know the sex of birds including captive breeding programmes, behavioural studies and even species delimitation in extinct taxa. DNA sexing providesRead more

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