2017 media releases

Te Papa mourns passing of founding Chief Executive Cheryll Sotheran

Te Papa mourns passing of founding Chief Executive Cheryll Sotheran

Sun 31 Dec 2017

Te Papa today heard of the passing yesterday (30 December) of our founding Chief Executive, Dame Cheryll Sotheran.

Press release He pānui papāho
Te Papa unveils plans for exciting new nature zone

Te Papa unveils plans for exciting new nature zone

Sat 23 Dec 2017

Te Papa is building an exciting new nature and environment zone, opening in the museum early 2019.

Press release He pānui papāho
Was this the world’s biggest penguin?

Was this the world’s biggest penguin?

13 December 2017 – It’s not every day you get to name a giant prehistoric penguin after your mother. But that was the rare privilege enjoyed by Te Papa curator Alan Tennyson, as reported today in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications.
Te Papa’s Mahuki teams showcase technology innovations for the culture sector

Te Papa’s Mahuki teams showcase technology innovations for the culture sector

17 November 2017 – Last night, eight entrepreneurial teams from Te Papa’s Mahuki technology incubator unveiled business propositions which provide digital solutions to challenges faced by cultural organisations worldwide. Several of the innovations have already been picked up and are being used by local organisations, including Te Papa.
New Zealand Wars mini exhibition to open at Te Papa for the inaugural commemorative day

New Zealand Wars mini exhibition to open at Te Papa for the inaugural commemorative day

24 October 2017 – Te Papa marks the first national day of commemoration of the New Zealand Wars, Rā Maumahara, with a new mini exhibition.
Pacific Sisters, Lisa Walker, Tiffany Singh feature in Te Papa’s new art gallery – opens March 2018

Pacific Sisters, Lisa Walker, Tiffany Singh feature in Te Papa’s new art gallery – opens March 2018

12 October 2017 – Fierce Pacific fashion, jewellery made out of skateboards and cellphones, a flood of colour, and a place to stand – Te Papa has unveiled four of the five exhibitions to feature in its new art gallery, Toi Art, opening March 2018.
The wonders of the world in LEGO bricks at Te Papa

The wonders of the world in LEGO bricks at Te Papa

2 October 2017 – Let’s Go Build, a festival of LEGO activities for all ages, opens at Te Papa from 9 December–11 February.
Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata’s exhibition opened today at Te Papa with 600 strong pōwhiri

Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata’s exhibition opened today at Te Papa with 600 strong pōwhiri

29 September 2017 – Te Papa’s eighth iwi exhibition, Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow opened today following an early morning karakia (blessing), and a pōwhiri (ceremony) which attracted over 600 guests from all over New Zealand.
Te Papa Tongarewa named in top 25 museums in the world

Te Papa Tongarewa named in top 25 museums in the world

22 September 2017 – The national museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, has been named one of the top 25 museums in the world according to TripAdvisor.
Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata’s exhibition opens at Te Papa end of September

Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata’s exhibition opens at Te Papa end of September

18 September 2017 – The major new exhibition Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow, which showcases the dramatic stories, histories, treasured taonga and the exceptional artistry of the Gisborne iwi, will open at Te Papa on Friday 29 September.
Last chance to see Te Papa’s Golden Days exhibition

Last chance to see Te Papa’s Golden Days exhibition

15 August 2017 – Te Papa’s cinematic Golden Days exhibition is closing on 31 August, after almost 20 years on the floor of the national museum.
Nine culture innovators begin residency at Te Papa’s Mahuki

Nine culture innovators begin residency at Te Papa’s Mahuki

27 July 2017 – Mahuki, Te Papa’s innovation hub has opened its doors to nine entrepreneurial teams for its 2017 programme.
Classic Fred Dagg costume on display at Te Papa

Classic Fred Dagg costume on display at Te Papa

26 July 2017 – The iconic hat, shearer’s singlet, shorts and gumboots of Fred Dagg will be on display at Te Papa from July 26.
New giant ocean sunfish species discovered

New giant ocean sunfish species discovered

20 July 2017 – A new species of ocean sunfish has been discovered and formally described by an international team of researchers.
Te Papa mourns the loss of Cliff Whiting

Te Papa mourns the loss of Cliff Whiting

17 July 2017 – Te Papa staff are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Cliff Whiting, who was instrumental in establishing Te Papa as Aotearoa New Zealand’s national museum.
Matariki Rising celebrations attract thousands

Matariki Rising celebrations attract thousands

30 June 2017 – Thousands turned out to celebrate Matariki Rising, a festival that celebrates Matariki, the Māori New Year.
Te Papa’s Mahuki secures major Callaghan Innovation funding

Te Papa’s Mahuki secures major Callaghan Innovation funding

27 June 2017 – Significant funding has been awarded to Te Papa’s innovation hub, Mahuki, by Callaghan Innovation.
Melbourne Museum welcomes Te Papa’s blockbuster exhibition Bug Lab

Melbourne Museum welcomes Te Papa’s blockbuster exhibition Bug Lab

26 June 2017 – Melbourne Museum is feeling the buzz as it opens the doors to Te Papa exhibition Bug Lab – the blockbuster science exhibition created by Te Papa and Weta Workshop.
Choose your learning adventure at Te Papa in the July school holidays

Choose your learning adventure at Te Papa in the July school holidays

26 June 2017 – Te Papa’s new innovative learning lab, Hīnātore, is hosting a school holiday learning programme during the July holidays that will see kids creating their own claymation movies, inventing a new musical instrument, building worlds in virtual reality, and developing a game from scratch.
Kiwi learners to explore New Zealand artwork at the Venice Biennale through digital resource

Kiwi learners to explore New Zealand artwork at the Venice Biennale through digital resource

16 June 2017 – Secondary art and social sciences students can explore contemporary New Zealand Māori artist Lisa Reihana’s work through a new digital learning resource.
Scientific study uses revolutionary logger fitted on albatrosses to detect interactions with fishing vessels in the southern ocean

Scientific study uses revolutionary logger fitted on albatrosses to detect interactions with fishing vessels in the southern ocean

16 June 2017 – The findings of the recently published Use of radar detectors to track attendance of albatrosses at fishing vessels offers scientists a new way of looking at fisheries risk to seabirds.
Rongowhakaata welcomed as Te Papa iwi in residence

Rongowhakaata welcomed as Te Papa iwi in residence

12 June 2017 – Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata was welcomed onto Rongomaraeroa marae yesterday.
Te Papa Press’ The Genius of Bugs nominated for New Zealand book award

Te Papa Press’ The Genius of Bugs nominated for New Zealand book award

7 June 2017 – Children’s book author and spider expert Simon Pollard has been nominated in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
Construction starts on new gallery at Te Papa

Construction starts on new gallery at Te Papa

2 June 2017 – How do you build an art gallery inside a museum that’s still open to the public?
Celebrate the spirit of the black jersey at Te Papa

Celebrate the spirit of the black jersey at Te Papa

30 May 2017 – New Zealand’s unparalleled legacy of success on the rugby field is being explored in a new exhibition at Te Papa opening on June 2.
Moriori and Māori ancestors offered dignity and respect

Moriori and Māori ancestors offered dignity and respect

29 May 2017 – Today the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa will hold a pōwhiri to mark the return home of 59 Māori and Moriori ancestral remains from the United Kingdom and Europe.
Sacred remains return from England

Sacred remains return from England

22 May 2017 – Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester, and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are pleased to announce that the repatriation of a Moriori jawbone will take place today.
Te Papa pounamu exhibition opens in the heart of Paris

Te Papa pounamu exhibition opens in the heart of Paris

19 May 2017 – An exhibition of more than 200 pounamu treasures opens in Paris on May 22nd showcasing some precious pieces of Aotearoa in the heart of the French capital.
Te Pahi medal on display at Te Papa

Te Pahi medal on display at Te Papa

19 May, 2017 – The Te Pahi medal, given to the Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Awa chief, Te Pahi, by the Governor of New South Wales, Phillip Gidley King, is on display at Te Papa.
Help New Zealand share its sporting history with the world

Help New Zealand share its sporting history with the world

18 May 2017 – Te Papa’s innovation hub Mahuki is calling for entrepreneurs to help cultural institutions in New Zealand and around the globe tell their stories of sporting identity.
Moriori and Māori remains return from Germany

Moriori and Māori remains return from Germany

18 May 2017 – The Ubersee Museum Bremen Germany and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are pleased 44 Moriori and Māori ancestral remains are returning to Aotearoa New Zealand with the support of the City of Bremen.
Matariki Rising celebrations for the whole whānau

Matariki Rising celebrations for the whole whānau

17 May 2017 – Whānau, kai, storytelling and learning will feature in Matariki Rising, a 10-day festival which kicks off with an iconic public event on the waterfront and culminates in the popular Kaumātua Kapa Haka performance.
Sacred Māori remains return from Sweden

Sacred Māori remains return from Sweden

15 May 2017 – The Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are pleased three Māori ancestral remains are returning to Aotearoa New Zealand with the support of the Swedish Government.
Te Papa signs Memorandum Of Understanding with Circa Theatre

Te Papa signs Memorandum Of Understanding with Circa Theatre

11 May 2017 – Te Papa Chief Executive Rick Ellis will today sign an agreement that will see Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa join forces with neighbouring Circa Theatre.
Mk Haley to ignite imagination through talks at Te Papa

Mk Haley to ignite imagination through talks at Te Papa

27 April 2017 – Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Florida State University and Creative Program Manager at Walt Disney's Imagineering, Mk Haley, will be delivering a series of talks hosted by Mahuki, Te Papa’s innovation hub.
Emotional pōwhiri as Te Papa welcomes Sir Peter Snell

Emotional pōwhiri as Te Papa welcomes Sir Peter Snell

18 April 2017 – An emotional Sir Peter Snell said today that gifting objects to Te Papa was an ‘amazing’ experience that helped ‘ease the guilt’ the sporting legend has felt for basing himself overseas.
Te Papa’s Gallipoli exhibition enthrals young and old

Te Papa’s Gallipoli exhibition enthrals young and old

13 April 2017 – More than 1.3 million visitors of all ages have explored Te Papa’s Gallipoli: The scale of our war in the two years since it opened.
Te Papa’s blockbuster exhibition Bug Lab a huge summer success

Te Papa’s blockbuster exhibition Bug Lab a huge summer success

11 April 2017 – Te Papa’s spectacular science exhibition about the genius of bugs closes after a hugely successful four month season, on Easter Monday, 17 April.
Sir Peter Snell to make golden donation to the nation

Sir Peter Snell to make golden donation to the nation

4 April 2017 – Sporting legend Sir Peter Snell has confirmed he will donate 14 items from his personal collection to Te Papa.
Learn and play at Te Papa during the school holidays

Learn and play at Te Papa during the school holidays

30 March 2017 – Build and fly a Lego drone, create a musical instrument and record a musical track or fly around with friends in a virtual world during Te Papa’s school holiday programme.
Te Papa’s Mahuki seeking next generation ideas for the culture sector

Te Papa’s Mahuki seeking next generation ideas for the culture sector

29 March 2017 – Te Papa launches the 2017 programme for Mahuki, the museum’s innovation hub, on Monday 10 April.
Explore virtual realities in Te Papa Talks event this weekend

Explore virtual realities in Te Papa Talks event this weekend

16 March 2017 – Te Papa Talks: Virtual Realities is a four-day public programme of events which will see experts from Australia and New Zealand host talks, workshops, and demonstrations of the ways virtual and augmented reality is changing our world.
Geraint Martin appointed as Te Papa Chief Executive

Geraint Martin appointed as Te Papa Chief Executive

13 March 2017 – Geraint Martin has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Te Papa. Mr Martin is currently the CEO of Counties Manukau District Health Board.
New ways of learning at Te Papa using cutting-edge technology

New ways of learning at Te Papa using cutting-edge technology

13 March 2017 – Te Papa has transformed its learning programmes and space, creating Hīnātore, a new learning lab.
Italian burial concept, Capsula Mundi, transforms traditional cemeteries into forests

Italian burial concept, Capsula Mundi, transforms traditional cemeteries into forests

6 March 2017 – On 7 March 2017 Te Papa and the Italian Embassy in New Zealand will host the Capsula Mundi Project at Te Papa in the framework of the Italian Design Day.
Last chance to see Ngāti Toa Rangatira taonga and stories of Wellington at Te Papa

Last chance to see Ngāti Toa Rangatira taonga and stories of Wellington at Te Papa

21 February 2017 – Wellingtonians and visitors to the capital have just a few more weeks to explore the taonga of Ngāti Toa Rangatira through Te Papa’s Whiti Te Rā! The story of Ngāti Toa Rangatira Exhibition, which closes to the public on March 17.
NZ’s top drone racers bring thrills and spills to Te Papa

NZ’s top drone racers bring thrills and spills to Te Papa

8 February 2017 – Tickets are selling fast for the first ever drone race held at a national museum.

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2017 media releases

Te Papa mourns passing of founding Chief Executive Cheryll Sotheran

Te Papa unveils plans for exciting new nature zone

Was this the world’s biggest penguin?

Te Papa’s Mahuki teams showcase technology innovations for the culture sector

New Zealand Wars mini exhibition to open at Te Papa for the inaugural commemorative day

Pacific Sisters, Lisa Walker, Tiffany Singh feature in Te Papa’s new art gallery – opens March 2018

The wonders of the world in LEGO bricks at Te Papa

Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata’s exhibition opened today at Te Papa with 600 strong pōwhiri

Te Papa Tongarewa named in top 25 museums in the world

Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata’s exhibition opens at Te Papa end of September

Last chance to see Te Papa’s Golden Days exhibition

Nine culture innovators begin residency at Te Papa’s Mahuki

Classic Fred Dagg costume on display at Te Papa

New giant ocean sunfish species discovered

Te Papa mourns the loss of Cliff Whiting

Matariki Rising celebrations attract thousands

Te Papa’s Mahuki secures major Callaghan Innovation funding

Melbourne Museum welcomes Te Papa’s blockbuster exhibition Bug Lab

Choose your learning adventure at Te Papa in the July school holidays

Kiwi learners to explore New Zealand artwork at the Venice Biennale through digital resource

Scientific study uses revolutionary logger fitted on albatrosses to detect interactions with fishing vessels in the southern ocean

Rongowhakaata welcomed as Te Papa iwi in residence

Te Papa Press’ The Genius of Bugs nominated for New Zealand book award

Construction starts on new gallery at Te Papa

Celebrate the spirit of the black jersey at Te Papa

Moriori and Māori ancestors offered dignity and respect

Sacred remains return from England

Te Papa pounamu exhibition opens in the heart of Paris

Te Pahi medal on display at Te Papa

Help New Zealand share its sporting history with the world

Moriori and Māori remains return from Germany

Matariki Rising celebrations for the whole whānau

Sacred Māori remains return from Sweden

Te Papa signs Memorandum Of Understanding with Circa Theatre

Mk Haley to ignite imagination through talks at Te Papa

Emotional pōwhiri as Te Papa welcomes Sir Peter Snell

Te Papa’s Gallipoli exhibition enthrals young and old

Te Papa’s blockbuster exhibition Bug Lab a huge summer success

Sir Peter Snell to make golden donation to the nation

Learn and play at Te Papa during the school holidays

Te Papa’s Mahuki seeking next generation ideas for the culture sector

Explore virtual realities in Te Papa Talks event this weekend

Geraint Martin appointed as Te Papa Chief Executive

New ways of learning at Te Papa using cutting-edge technology

Italian burial concept, Capsula Mundi, transforms traditional cemeteries into forests

Last chance to see Ngāti Toa Rangatira taonga and stories of Wellington at Te Papa

NZ’s top drone racers bring thrills and spills to Te Papa