ArtMahi Toi

Explore the work of artists and photographers such as Robin White, Tiffany Singh, Ans Westra, Matt Pine, Colin McCahon, Tony Fomison, and Rita Angus, through videos, podcasts, and in-depth articles. Find out about favourite art works from our curators, or see what is in our collections.

Each section below will open up to reveal more to explore.

A man stands looking at a red wall featuring paintings hung in the salon style

Toi Art

Discover our world of art, featuring new, exciting commissions alongside the national art collection.

Note: Level 5 is currently closed for maintenance.
Visit Level 4 for current art exhibitions.

A woman in a red jacket is talking about a painting that is in an art store room. She has pulled it out on its rack.

A curator’s take: Hear from our art curators

What art does an art curator like? What makes a piece of art important? Our art curators talk about their favourite artworks and describe particular pieces in our collection.

A flat image of lots of discs and triangles and lines in a chaotic monochrome beige assembly.

Responding to art – what would your response be?

Art is for everyone. Here we explore some of your responses to artworks, exhibitions, and our collections.

A man in a suit stands between stage lights and has an old-fashioned camera on a tripod next to him

Studio portrait photography in Aotearoa New Zealand

Studio portraits taken in a professional photographer’s studio – often making use of backdrops or props – were for formal, posed portraits, as well as informal, candid photographs of people, and sometimes their pets.

A brown and cream etching of a suited person with hands for a head that is casting a shadow of their portrait.

Artist profiles

Read about artists, photographers, and tohunga mahi toi and their works in our collection.

A three-seater sofa with two plants on the left and a light and microphone on the right. There is a table in the middle.

Watch and read: Artist talks and interviews

Watch Aotearoa New Zealand artists, ranging from contemporary jewellers to sculptors, designers, painters, photographers, and more, engage in discussions about their works and methods.

A rack on wheels in a store room – the rack has two art paintings tied on with strops.

Behind the scenes: creating exhibitions and hidden stories

Find out about discoveries behind paintings, timelapses of exhibition installations, and the best way to curate an exhibition for our rangitahi (youth).

Watch: How to sign art words

New Zealand Sign Language Presenter Theresa Cooper signs some helpful words to know when you’re talking about art.

Past exhibitions: Art and photography

View art and photography exhibitions presented at Te Papa, going back to 1998.

Group of teenagers look at a painting hanging on a rack in the painting store room

Art for children and young people

Get them while they're young – art is not just for adults and rarified spaces. Read and listen to our tamariki and rangatahi responding to art.

Queenstown. From the album: Hand coloured views of New Zealand; 1940 s; Whites Aviation, 1945-1960, Queenstown, by Whites Aviation. Purchased 1999 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa (O.033079)

Art and photography books

Books about the national art collection, photography, biography, exhibition catalogues and more.