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Pacific

Hear about tatau (Sāmoan tattooing), weaving in Tokelau, browse our Pacific collections online, and read blogs.

  • "Hillary College, Otara, Auckland 1981". From: "Polynesia Here and There", 1981, Auckland, by Glenn Jowitt. Purchased 2001. Te Papa (O.027043)
    Pacific cultures books

    Pacific cultures books

    Books about history and cultures in the Pacific.

  • Pacific storeroom tour, 2015. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa
    Pacific Cultures research

    Pacific Cultures research

    We seek to understand the local and global histories of Pacific peoples, and to document these stories through our collection.

  • A man wearing shorts and holding a stick is standing on a beach with water and palm trees in the background
    Pacific Cultures research: What we’re working on

    Pacific Cultures research: What we’re working on

    Find out about some of our current Pacific Cultures research projects.

  • Women wearing the same dresses and headwear are sitting in a group. One is playing the guitar and one is singing.
    Niue

    Niue

    Discover some of our Niuean stories about our communities and collections from kahoa hihi to katoua, tiputa to titi, the coral atoll to coconut, and more.

  • Ariel view of a ring-shaped island
    Tokelau

    Tokelau

    Tokelau is in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawai‘i and Aotearoa New Zealand. Find out more about Tokelau through videos, blogs, and an activity book.

  • A brown wooden-looking ceremonial comb on a pale grey surface
    Tonga

    Tonga

    Tonga, officially known as the Kingdom of Tonga, and also known as ‘The Friendly Islands’, is a group of islands in the South Pacific. It is currently the only Pacific country with a constitutional monarchy. Read stories and view our collections in connection to Tonga and the people of Tonga.

  • Red pandanus seed pods joined together and shown in two rows on a white background
    Sāmoa

    Sāmoa

    Our collections represent stories of Sāmoa and its people. Explore some of our Sāmoan stories about our collections from Apia to Auckland, tatau to travelling umu boxes, headdresses to hip hop, and more.

  • A round disc made of turtle shell that has been carved into a pattern.
    Solomon Islands

    Solomon Islands

    The Solomon Islands, an archipelago nation situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is made up of over 900 islands with rainforests, coastal environments, and coral reefs. The people of the Solomon Islands are primarily Melanesian and the official language is English, however, pidgin English is widely spoken.

  • Arapata addresses the room standing in front of a cloak draped on a mannequin
    Feather cloak and helmet gifted to Captain Cook to return permanently to Hawai‘i

    Feather cloak and helmet gifted to Captain Cook to return permanently to Hawai‘i

    Thu 9 Jul 2020

    An ʻahu ʻula (feather cloak) and mahiole (feather helmet) gifted to Captain Cook in 1779 are being permanently returned to Hawaiʻi by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

    Press release He pānui papāho

  • General view of the Tangata a le Moana discovery centre
    Tangata o le Moana: The story of Pacific people in New Zealand

    Tangata o le Moana: The story of Pacific people in New Zealand

    Celebrate the culture and history of the Pacific. Tangata o le Moana tells the story of Pacific people, past and present.

  • School kids cleaning a river of plastic
    Community stories: Taking action for nature

    Community stories: Taking action for nature

    River cleaners, tree planters, possum trappers, and climate crusaders. Explore stories from around Aotearoa New Zealand of communities taking care of their natural environment.

  • A part of a necklace made of long curved bone sitting on a white surface
    Fiji

    Fiji

    Fiji – officially the Republic of Fiji – comprises over 800 islands and the official language is English, though most speak Bauan or Hindustani. Find out more about Fiji through our collections, videos, blogs, and a Fijian language activity book.

  • Sailing vessel
    Voyage and discovery in the Pacific

    Voyage and discovery in the Pacific

    The history of the discovery of Aotearoa New Zealand goes back a millennium and contains the stories of many fine explorers, from Kupe to Cook. Here, explore Pacific exploration and European colonisation through our taonga, kōrero, and events.

  • The underside of a fern frond
    Ferns in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific

    Ferns in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific

    Ferns are so prominent in Aotearoa New Zealand, we even wear them on our sporting uniforms. From botany research to citizen science, pressed-fern books of the 1800s to collecting All Blacks and tourism memorabilia, our collectors and curators spend a lot of time with ferns.

  • A spiny lobster on a white background.
    Crustaceans of Aotearoa New Zealand

    Crustaceans of Aotearoa New Zealand

    Crustacea includes lobsters, crabs, shrimps, prawns, hoppers, wood lice, water fleas, and several other groups. Most crustaceans live in the sea but some are found in freshwater or on land.

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    Manu Rere Moana

    Manu Rere Moana

    The navigation of the Pacific by waka hourua | double-hulled sailing waka is one of the great achievements of human technology. This exhibition celebrates the mātauranga of celestial navigation that enabled these extraordinary voyages.

    On now
    Permanent exhibition

    Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

  • Five students stand holding two large posters
    Te Papa marketing campaign developed by Taita College Students

    Te Papa marketing campaign developed by Taita College Students

    Wed 24 Nov 2021

    Eight students from Taita College have created an advertising campaign promoting Te Papa’s Collections Online.

    Press release He pānui papāho