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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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  • A child is smiling up at someone with them. They are both in front of a gigantic screen with dots of light and swirling patterns.

    Breathe | Mauri Ora Events Season

    Explore our Breathe | Mauri Ora events season, featuring panel discussions, a wellbeing symposium, taonga puoro (Māori musical instruments), performances, and immersive dining. Discover experiences celebrating our connection to te taiao (nature).

  • A composite photo of three heads on top of each others. There are lots of dots covering them.

    First Breath: Opening Party

    Be among the first to explore Breathe | Mauri Ora at a special opening party that includes late-night exhibition access and live entertainment.

    Sat 13 Dec 2025, 7.00pm–11.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A large art gallery space with an artwork made from chrome bars, a red umbrella, and some beds set into the bars.

    Toi Art Drop-in: Cardboard Creations

    Build cardboard tube creations inspired by Yona Lee’s artwork, Kit-set In-Transit, at this free interactive drop-in session for tamariki (children).

    Sat 27 Dec 2025, 10am – 12 midday

    Sun 4 Jan 2026, 10am – 12 midday

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A close up of a hand drawing a bird on a piece of brown paper.

    Toi Art Saturdays: Sit and Sketch

    Discover something new in Toi Art each month – talks, performances, and activities inspired by the exhibitions on show.

    Sat 3 Jan 2026, 11.00am–1.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • An image of an orange-red table with tea and teapots along with three-tierd plates with small cakes.

    Eat Your Art Out

    A high tea to delight your eyes and taste buds.  

    From 28 June, daily sessions at 10:30am, 11am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2pm, and 2:30pm. 

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • eight women in bright clothing are seated or gathered around a sofa and smiling at the camera.

    Film Premiere: We Are Not Your Dusky Maidens!

    Join us at Te Papa for the premiere screening of We Are Not Your Dusky Maidens!, a series of short films, celebrating the mana of Pasifika women’s flower culture.  

    Wed 28 Jan 2026, 6.30pm to 8.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A man with long hair, a beard and cap is in the foreground playing a pūkāea - a long, narrow traditional Māori taonga puoro instrument, used to welcome people. A second man plays a taonga puoro instrument behind him.

    Hā ki roto, hā ki waho

    A one hour immersive performance of taonga puoro (Māori musical instruments) and spoken word celebrating the exhibition Breathe | Mauri Ora: An Immersive Journey into Nature by Marshmallow Laser Feast and the connection to te taiao (nature) in our own backyard. 

    Tue 17 Feb 2026, 7pm to 8.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Two men are looking closely at the green leaves on the branches of a tall plant. One has his back to the camera and his arm extended to touch the leaf, the other faces the camera and is smiling at the part of the plant that is being touched.

    From Land, Sea, and Sky: Unseen stories from nature

    As part of Breathe | Mauri Ora: An Immersive Journey into Nature by Marshmallow Laser Feast, discover inspiring stories of Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique native species with an evening of spotlight talks from Mana Whenua kaitiaki and Te Papa natural history and art curators.

    Wed 25 Feb 2026, 6.30pm to 8pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A person is talking to two other people about an artwork on the wall that is brightly coloured string on a black wall.

    Lucky Dip Art Tours

    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

  • A woman wearing a silk gown with puffy sleeves stands with arms outstretched in front of a background of purple flowers. Flames engulf her head and arms while she smiles serenely with eyes closed.

    Slow Burn – Photography symposium

    A day of collegial conversation about contemporary photography in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a special focus on the work of women and photography. 

    Sat 28 Feb 2026, 9am to 5pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Two men are looking closely at the green leaves on the branches of a tall plant. One has his back to the camera and his arm extended to touch the leaf, the other faces the camera and is smiling at the part of the plant that is being touched.

    From Land, Sea, and Sky: Unseen stories from nature

    As part of Breathe | Mauri Ora: An Immersive Journey into Nature by Marshmallow Laser Feast, discover inspiring stories of Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique native species with an evening of spotlight talks from Mana Whenua kaitiaki and Te Papa natural history and art curators.

    Wed 11 Mar 2026, 6.30pm to 8pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A woman is using her hands to say sign language and smiling at the camera.

    New Zealand Sign Language Awards Night

    Join us for a powerful evening of celebration, storytelling, and connection as we mark 20 years of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as an official language in Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Sat 9 May 2026, 7pm to 11pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

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