Jessie Prebble, former Te Papa/Massey PhD student in Botany, and Te Papa Curator Botany, Heidi Meudt (2016), holding a forget-me-not herbarium specimen. Te Papa

Taxonomic research involves a number of aspects, including field trips, lab work, studying and comparing live plants (in the field or glasshouse) or pressed specimens, and reading previous scientific papers. Not to mention analyzing and interpreting the data, incorporating previously published research, and writing up the results for publication. Sometimes, such research forms the basis of a post-graduate thesis (Master’s or PhD).  Curator Botany Heidi Meudt talks about one student’s journey.Read more

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Myosotis antarctica Hook.f. subsp. antarctica, collected 15 December 2018, Mount Starveall Hut, South Island, New Zealand. CC BY 4.0. Te Papa (SP107322)

New research published by Jessie Prebble and colleagues resolves the taxonomy (naming and classification) of a group of small native forget-me-nots in the southern hemisphere. The new data show that some of these plants require different names. Curator Botany Heidi Meudt discusses what this means for their names.Read more

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Model wearing red

Before you throw out your tired bits of clothing, consider giving them new life through upcycling. Senior history curator Claire Regnault highlights a collection of garments acquired by Te Papa in 2015 that are made from material originally destined for landfill.Read more

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The industrious Lethbridge sisters Earlier this year Te Papa was approached by Red Strand Design. Based in Cork and London, the company specialises in design-based cultural and education projects. They invited us to take part in Passion & Legacy, a project inspired by the incredible stitch work of the ‘Lethbridge Sisters’, Julia Baroness Carew (1863-1922)Read more

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Custom Components welding our promotional stand. © Open Lab

The past week has been an exciting week for Warhol: POP – Open Lab’s collaboration with Te Papa in response to Warhol: Immortal. Tickets have gone on sale, the Facebook page has launched, and our hype video has been released! We’ve been busy finalising our designs for promoting the eventRead more

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Glowing balloons create an interactive space before people step into the elevators. © Open Lab

A group of eight students from MasseyUniversity in Wellington have this amazing opportunity to work with Te Papa and Open Lab, to deliver a youth focused event which responds to the Warhol: Immortal exhibition. Open Lab is a design studio within Massey University. Open Lab is a collaborative environment andRead more

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