Help reconnect taonga with their communities and history
We’re searching for ‘volunpeers’ to transcribe and digitise the business records of W O Oldman, a British collector and dealer in ethnographic art. Read more
2018-12-22
All I want for Christmas is Burne-Jones
In his traditional Christmas blog, Dr Mark Stocker, Curator Historical International Art, looks at the fabulous artist Edward Burne-Jones and how some fascinating items in Te Papa’s collection relate to him and his inspiration.Read more
2018-12-21
“Good-bye, moon”: completing the Leslie Adkin diary project
At the end of the month, a comprehensive digitisation project bringing Leslie Adkin’s diaries to life 100 years later will come to an end. Fiona Moorhead, Collections Information System Manager, wraps up the journey.Read more
2018-12-21
The Christmas tree in New Zealand
If you’ve visited us recently you’ll have noticed the beautiful ‘Kiwi’ Christmas tree at the entrance to the museum, decorated with jandals, kererū, and pōhutukawa. Here, history curator Katie Cooper explores the history of the Christmas tree in New Zealand.Read more
2018-12-20
Prehistoric desert snails
Did you know snails can live in the desert? Natural history researcher Rodrigo Salvador tells us a little about a curious set of fossils discovered in Algeria.Read more
2018-12-13
Vivian Lynn, artist: 1931-2018
Over the weekend, we were saddened to hear about the passing of Vivian Lynn on 1 December, 2018, after a long illness. Here, Dr Chelsea Nichols, Curator of Modern Art, reflects on her first encounter with Vivian’s work and on her remarkable contribution to New Zealand art.Read more
2018-12-06
Two cruise ships and shocking weather: Dealing with the busiest day of the year
Last Tuesday brought with it 98km/h southerlies, 20.4mm of rain, and two cruise ships carrying 4,500 extra people to our city. All of this meant we were heading into our busiest day of the year…Read more
2018-12-04
The power of stitching names during the AIDS crisis
World AIDS Day is commemorated on 1 December. This year, history curator Stephanie Gibson pays tribute to the first unveiling of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt 30 years ago on 1 December 1988 when HIV/AIDS was devastating communities throughout the world.Read more
2018-11-28
Peter Peryer, photographer (1941–2018)
‘Peter Peryer’s ability to tap deeply into himself, and into our collective memory, makes him one of the most important New Zealand photographers of recent times.’ Photography curator Athol McCredie shares some thoughts about Peter and his work.Read more
2018-11-23
The land of the long black and flat white: Coffee culture in Aotearoa
With the recent passing of Wellington café legend Suzy van der Kwast, history curator Stephanie Gibson delves into the history of café culture and coffee in Aotearoa New Zealand.Read more
2018-11-14
Rātana Church and Mita Ririnui: The colours of service
Today (8 November) is the centenary of the Rātana Church. Puawai Cairns, Kaihāpai Mātauranga Māori | Head of Mātauranga Māori, talks about the robes of an āpotoro rēhita from the church – a uniform with which she have a personal affinity.Read more
2018-11-08
Our Rembrandts: A conversation on Te Papa’s golden age prints
Chance Wilson, who’s writing his University of Auckland MA thesis on Rembrandt prints in the public collections of Aotearoa New Zealand, recently visited Te Papa to examine our remarkable holdings of this iconic artist. Here are his top five favourites from our collection.Read more
2018-11-08
Peaceful armistice, deadly flu
One hundred years ago an armistice (truce) between Germany and the Allies was signed in France on 11 November 1918. Around the same time, a devastating influenza pandemic spread worldwide. History curator Stephanie Gibson looks at two women with ties to both events.Read more
2018-11-07
Tony Fomison’s inner werewolf
What does your inner monster look like? For New Zealand painter Tony Fomison (1939–1990) it was a creature drenched in darkness, his face covered in wolfish hair. Art curator Chelsea Nichols explains more.Read more
2018-11-03
Changing the narrative: Exploring Gallipoli through empathy
‘The range of emotions that students come up with is confronting and powerful.’ Learning Innovation Specialist Donald James describes how the Learning Team at Te Papa have helped children empathise with war.Read more
2018-11-01