Petrus van der Velden died in Auckland one hundred years ago today, destitute and far from his native Netherlands. He had arrived in Christchurch in the summer of 1890-91, the beginning of a decade credited with changing the path of New Zealand’s painting. Already an established artist, whose work andRead more

By:
On:
In: Art

This week’s wearable is for all those city slickers who have made their way to work today through the mist and the rain with their umbrellas intact! Fashion tutor Deborah Shepherd won the World of WearableArt™ Sustainability Award with this unique take on the sharp city suit, which features hundredsRead more

By:
On:
In: History

We need readers local knowledge again to help identify the locations in the images. Please comment in the section at the bottom. Thanks! 1) Does the spire in the background give it away? 2) Its summer somewhere… 3) A Northland church with trees and clouds… 4) Building on a hill takenRead more

By:
On:
In: Photography

The mining on Denniston has been given the go-ahead by the Environment Court. Radio New Zealand report on the approval of the Bathurst Escarpment mine. The mine application covers just over one square kilometre. According to a report by the Department of Conservation, there are within that area at leastRead more

By:
On:
In: Science

‘It was hands on and practical and really rather fun!’ ‘Relaxed interactive professional’  ‘I have so many ideas and am so excited’ Comments made by participants at the Experiments with Light primary teacher’s workshop at Te Papa last week. This cross-curricular workshop introduced teachers to artist Bill Culbert (currently showingRead more

By:
On:
In: Art, Science

The ‘Berry Boys’ began as an internal nickname for the men depicted in Te Papa’s collection of soldier portraits by the Wellington photography studio Berry & Co. Amongst the soldiers, however, are some anomalies.  Flicking through the collection on mass, something about a couple of soldier portraits demanded a closer inspection. The bodyRead more

By:
On:
In: Art, History, Photography

Pacific Cultures curator Rachel Yates, highlights the work and initiatives of Tokelauan community group, Te Lauhigano Tokelau from Porirua, New Zealand. The Tokelauan population in New Zealand is significant; the last census details from 2006 inform us that Tokelauans are the sixth largest Pacific ethnic group in New Zealand.  6,819Read more

By:
On:
In: Pacific

Te Papa’s biodiversity scientists regularly describe new species of plants and animals. Just added to this list is another New Zealand fern. This new species is a Hymenophyllum filmy fern. Hymenophyllum means thin-leaved. The fronds of most species are only one cell thick, giving them a translucent appearance. We haveRead more

By:
On:
In: Science