Te Papa is a bicultural institution. We work with iwi

  iwitribesMāori | Noun in various ways, with major focuses on the following areas.

• National Services Te Paerangi (NSTP)
• Iwi Exhibition Programme
• Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation Programme

National Services Te Paerangi (NSTP)

NSTP aims to strengthen the museum sector by providing practical and strategic help to museums, galleries, and iwi

  iwitribesMāori | Noun throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. We do this through training, resources, funding grants, advice, and collaborative opportunities including hui

  huigatheringsMāori | Noun.

Read more about National Services Te Paerangi

Iwi Exhibition Programme

The Iwi Exhibition Programme gives iwi

  iwitribesMāori | Noun the chance to present their taonga

  taongatreasuresMāori | Noun and stories in a national forum. The programme is an important expression of mana taonga – the role of communities in the understanding and care of collections. This concept underpins Te Papa’s guardianship of all taonga

  taongatreasuresMāori | Noun.

Iwi in residence

Each iwi

  iwitribeMāori | Noun works collaboratively with Te Papa to create an exhibition. During the exhibition’s run, kaumātua (elders) reside at Te Papa and carry out a range of roles, including ceremonial duties on Te Marae.

Iwi exhibitions at Te Papa

• Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow, Sep 2017 – Feb 2022
• Whiti Te Rā! The Story of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Jun 2014 – Feb 2017
• Tai timu, tai pari, Tainui: Journey of a People, Sep 2011 – Mar 2014
• Mō Tātou: The Ngāi Tahu Whānui exhibition, July 2006 – Aug 2009
• Te Awa Tupua: The Whanganui iwi, Nov 2003 – May 2006
• Tūhoe: Children of the Mist, Nov 2001 – Nov 2003
• Te Aupouri Iwi: People of Smoke and Flame, Aug 1999 – Oct 2001
• Te Ātiawa iwi exhibition, Feb 1998 – Aug 1999

Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation Programme

The Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation Programme aims to repatriate kōiwi tangata Māori (Māori skeletal remains) and kōimi tangata (Moriori skeletal remains) from overseas institutions to relevant New Zealand iwi

  iwitribesMāori | Noun. Te Papa performs this work on behalf of the New Zealand Government. The programme relies on iwi

  iwitribalMāori | Noun involvement and support throughout.

Read about the Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation Programme