Te Papa is an active member of the community. A key goal is to represent and appeal to New Zealand’s diverse society. Our Community Gallery offers an important opportunity to do this. We also have strong ties with Pacific communities – an acknowledgment of New Zealand’s place in the Pacific.
Community Gallery
Te Papa’s Community Gallery is part of the Passports exhibition. It tells the stories of the many communities that make up New Zealand.
Every 18 months to 2 years, another community is given the opportunity to present its story. Te Papa develops each exhibition in close cooperation with the community.
The Community Gallery has so far featured the Chinese, Dutch, Indian, and Italian communities of New Zealand. The Scottish community is the latest to be featured.
Visit the website of The Scots in New Zealand exhibition.
Relationships with Pacific communities
Te Papa has broad involvement with Pacific communities in New Zealand and overseas.
- Pacific staff work with Pacific people to develop collections and curate exhibitions – most recently Tangata o le Moana: The story of Pacific people in New Zealand.
- Pacific people contribute to publications and participate in many Museum events.
- Pacific staff give external talks on Pacific topics.
- Te Papa regularly welcomes visiting Pacific groups, dignitaries, and scholars.
Find out more in the 2004 report Pacific Peoples and Te Papa: Community Activities and Consultation Since Opening 1998 (PDF, 131kb).
Read about Tangata o le Moana, our exhibition about Pacific people in New Zealand.
View objects in our Pacific collection.
See our events programme.