The tail of a whale as it dives into the ocean
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Whales and dolphins

Researching, displaying, photographing, and caring for the whales and dolphins of Aotearoa New Zealand.

  • Three dolphins playing in the sea
    Hector’s (and Māui) dolphins

    Hector’s (and Māui) dolphins

    The world’s tiniest marine dolphin lives here in Aotearoa NZ.

  • Side-on view of a dolphin skull
    Bottlenose dolphin

    Bottlenose dolphin

    Offshore bottlenose dolphins often hang out in groups with false killer whales.

  • Skull of a dolphin with teeth on a white background
    Marine mammals on Collections Online

    Marine mammals on Collections Online

    There are over 2000 marine mammal specimens in Te Papa's collection. They consist of skeletal material (articulated and non-articulated), preserved animals or parts thereof, skins, casts and mounts of individual animals.

  • Clean whale bones
    Caring for our whale bones

    Caring for our whale bones

    Lots of us care about saving the whales, but not many get as hands-on as technician Stephanie Ho. She’s spent the last nine months caring for whale bones in Te Papa’s collections. It’s a messy, smelly and painstaking job, but it’s protecting these important specimens for the future.

  • Whale’s tooth on a braided necklace
    Whale tooth graffiti – personalised Fijian tabua

    Whale tooth graffiti – personalised Fijian tabua

    Tabua (pronounced “tambua” – the b has a ‘mb’ sound) are pierced and braided whales’ teeth, originally taken from the lower jaw of sperm whales. Fijians consider them to be kavakaturanga (chiefly items) presented at important ceremonies, including weddings, births, and funerals. Tabua used to be the most effective way to give weight to an apology or atonement.

  • People surrounding a stranded pilot whale on a red tarpaulin
    Why do pilot whales sometimes crash-land ashore?

    Why do pilot whales sometimes crash-land ashore?

    What are pilot whales? And why do so many of them meet their doom ashore?

  • skull fossils of dolphin and a seal
    Research project: Diversity and evolution of New Zealand’s marine mammals

    Research project: Diversity and evolution of New Zealand’s marine mammals

    Studying fossils and living marine mammals to elucidate their diversity and evolution through deep time.

  • 1874 photo of ten men, including Colonial Museum personnel, assembled around the skeleton of a pygmy right whale
    Podcasts about whales: Attitudes, research, first encounters

    Podcasts about whales: Attitudes, research, first encounters

    Get up close and personal with, and learn about cultural attitudes towards, the whale.

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    Reassembling bones: How to build a Hector’s dolphin

    Reassembling bones: How to build a Hector’s dolphin

    Navigating brittle bones and teeth the size of rice, Thomas Schultz, Collection Manager Science, reflects on putting a Hector’s dolphin back together for an exhibition that would tour North America for ten years.

  • Whales and Dolphins of Aotearoa New Zealand - book cover
    Whales and Dolphins of Aotearoa New Zealand

    Whales and Dolphins of Aotearoa New Zealand

    For centuries whales and dolphins have captured our imaginations. But how much do we really know?

  • A whale tooth with holes in it on a black background
    Whale teeth artefacts in the western Solomon Islands: Tuhinga 17

    Whale teeth artefacts in the western Solomon Islands: Tuhinga 17

    Tuhinga 17 article by Rhys Richards

  • Whales
    Whales | Tohorā

    Whales | Tohorā

    Explore the amazing world of whales, through a unique blend of science and storytelling supporting our previous exhibition.

  • A humpback whale is seen underneath the water’s surface
    Oceanography: Investigating mysteries of the deep

    Oceanography: Investigating mysteries of the deep

    Learn about the amazing lives of sharks and whales and discover why whales are so important in Māori culture.