License imagesTe manatā whakaahua

You can order image licences through Collections Online.

  1. Use Collections Online to search for an image.

  2. Use the ‘Buy or license’ button (underneath the image) to begin your order.

Need help? Contact us

Email: mediasalesandlicensing@tepapa.govt.nz

Cost

Many of our images are free to use under a Creative Commons licence. The rights and use options for each image are shown on its Collections Online page.

Fees: Image licences, prints, research, commissions, and administration

In-house photography

Our in-house Imaging Team creates and maintains a visual history of Te Papa’s work, documenting the collections and exhibitions, research, field trips, and general goings-on at the museum.

Request an archive search

Ask us to search our offline archive for images relevant to your needs.
Cost: $50 per hour (excluding GST)

Commission photography

Ask us to photograph Te Papa Collection Objects according to your specifications.
Cost: $100 per hour (excluding GST)

Contact Te Papa Media Sales and Licensing: mediasalesandlicensing@tepapa.govt.nz

Highlights

Our photography collection contains over 800,000 rare and beautiful images, including:

  • Māori and Pacific taonga

  • vintage shots of New Zealand’s dramatic history and culture

  • fascinating photos of New Zealand’s rich flora and fauna

  • hauntingly powerful images of our people and their land

  • beautiful studio-photographed artefacts, objects, and fine art, both historical and contemporary.

Brian Brake, Lakes. Lake Pukaki, 1960s-1980s, Canterbury. Gift of Mr Raymond Wai-Man Lau, 2001. Te Papa (CT.030312)

Brian Brake

Te Papa is home to the collection of pre-eminent 20th century photographer Brian Brake, New Zealand’s sole member of the prestigious photo agency Magnum Photos.

Use Collections Online to search over 45,000 beautiful images by Brian Brake.

Māori and Pacific images

Te Papa’s Māori and Pacific image collection includes:

  • the American Photography Company’s early Māori portraiture work

  • Thomas Andrew’s collection of early Pacific Island photography

  • Te Papa’s vast collection of Māori and Pacific objects, individually photographed by our photography team.

Use Collections Online to search for and license Māori and Pacific images.

Can’t find something? Some Māori images may not be displayed on Collections Online due to iwi restrictions. If the image you wish to license is not currently displayed, contact us.

Contact Te Papa Media Sales and Licensing: mediasalesandlicensing@tepapa.govt.nz