Mānawatia a Matariki
Celebrate Matariki – the beginning of the New Year in Aotearoa New Zealand, marked by the rising of the Matariki star cluster.
Open now
23 Apr - 19 Jul 2026
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
EventsNgā kaupapa motuhake
Our exciting programme of ngā kaupapa motuhake runs all year. Watch song and dance performances, join in with kids activities and cultural days, hear from our experts, and much more.
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Curator Talk: Blooms with Dr Victoria Munn
Join Dr Victoria Munn for a kōrero (talk) in the new exhibition Blooms in Toi Art.
Sun 14 Jun 2026, 11am to 12pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Matariki 2026 at Te Papa
Ko Matariki Herenga Waka te kaupapa whakanui o tēnei tau, ka toroa te kauae runga tuku iho tērā e kawe ana e ngā waka, mō ngā whakaterenga tumu herenga tāngata.
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Matariki Herenga Waka, the theme of this year’s celebrations, acknowledges the stories, traditions, and mātauranga (knowledge) carried by waka (canoes), and the voyages that bring people together.
Matariki Tamariki Time
A free, interactive drop-in session for tamariki aged 5 and under. This month learn about Matariki and waka navigation.
Fri 19 Jun 2026, 10am to 12pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Wānanga Matariki: Matariki Herenga Waka
Ka wānanga ngā kaumoana o Ngahiraka-Mai-Tawhiti mō te whakatere waka – te nehe, te nāianei, me te anamata.
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The Ngahiraka-Mai-Tawhiti crew kōrero (talk) about waka (canoe) voyaging – past, present, and future.This kōrero will be mainly in te reo Māori with some English.
Wed 24 Jun 2026, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Matariki After Dark: Leading from the front
An adults-only celebration of the stories, traditions, and mātauranga (knowledge) shared between Aotearoa New Zealand and Te Moananui-a-Kiwa, the wider Pacific.
Thu 2 Jul 2026, 7.30pm to 11pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Matariki Whānau Day: Unity, we’re all in the same boat
Come together to celebrate Matariki with free whānau-friendly activities, workshops, and activities.
Fri 10 Jul 2026, 10am to 2pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Eat Your Art Out
A high tea to delight your eyes and taste buds.
Daily sessions at 10:30am, 11am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2pm, and 2:30pm.
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Friends Event: Caravaggio
Experienced guide at Tate Britain, Tate Modern, the Royal Academy and Greenwich, Rosalind Whyte will introduce you to the drama of the life and the art of the famous Italian painter of his time, Caravaggio.
Sun 17 May, 4pm–5pm
Lucky Dip Art Talks
Zoom in on the artworks and stories in Toi Art, with a 15-minute tour guided by Te Papa’s knowledgeable hosts.
Wednesdays and Sundays, 11 to 11.15am
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
BOHM Presents: Eddie Izzard performs Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Hamlet
The King of Denmark is dead, and Prince Hamlet is determined to take revenge, initiating a cascade of events that will destroy both family and state. Eddie Izzard will be portraying men, women, ghosts, scholars, tyrants, courtiers, lovers, and fools.
Tue 21 Jul 2026, 7pm
Wed 22 Jul 2026, 7pm
Thu 23 Jul 2026, 7.30pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake