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Museum of New Zealand

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PuaFlora

Why do we find such pleasure in plants? What can we learn from plants? Why do we feel better after a walk in the bush, or after we arrange or buy a bunch of flowers? Why do we seek to replicate plants and flowers in our homes, on our bodies, and through our art?

Through Te Papa’s rich collections, we explore the relationships between humans and the botanical world, from the moment Tāne Māhuta lovingly cloaked his mother Papatūānuku with plants, to cloaking and adorning our own bodies, to the way we grow our knowledge of plants, their movement around the world and the way humans emotionally, metaphorically, and ritually connect with plants.

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.

The significance of the silver fern

The ‘silver fern’ Cyathea dealbata – ponga in te reo Māori – is a species of tree fern only found in New Zealand but it is recognised internationally.

Identify New Zealand’s common tree ferns: ponga, mamaku, kātote, whekī, and whekī ponga

Ponga, mamaku, kātote, whekī, and whekī ponga are the most common tree ferns you’d encounter in New Zealand’s bush. Fern expert Leon Perrie tells us how to tell the difference.

The art of flower illustrations

The Art Album of New Zealand Flora

In 1889 Sarah Featon and her husband Edward Featon published The Art Album of New Zealand Flora, in which they sought to dispute the ‘mistaken notion that New Zealand is peculiarly destitute of native flowers’.

Featon’s Flowers

A collection of exquisite botanical watercolours from the late 19th century, showcasing New Zealand’s native flowers.

Closed

19 Oct 2019 – 10 Feb 2020

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Flora in the Community

Volunteer for nature

Get hands-on in nature in Aotearoa New Zealand and help make a difference in your community. Collaborate with your community and act for nature.

The loneliest tree: Kaikōmako manawatāwhi

Saving one of the world’s rarest trees, the kaikōmako manawatāwhi | Three Kings kaikōmako (Pennantia baylisiana): a story of species recovery work for ‘the loneliest tree’ undertaken by Ngāti Kurī and Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research.

Re-establishing flora and birds, Motuihe Island

Motuihe Island, near Auckland, used to be overrun by pest weeds and rabbits. But the hard work from volunteers at Motuihe Island Restoration Trust means the island is now pest-free.

Planting Harakeke, Westport

Buller High School have been revegetating the Cape Foulwind Walkway with harakeke. They’ve planted over 9,000 plants!

Tree planting, Tokelau

Children from Matuala School on Atafu Atoll in Tokelau, are planting and growing pandanus trees at their school to provide shade, grow fruit to eat, secure the ground, and fight climate change.

Our books about flora

Flora: Celebrating Our Botanical World

The magnificent plant world of Aotearoa New Zealand in art and object.

Flora: Celebrating Our Botanical World – Author biographies and 10 questions

The authors of ‘Flora: Celebrating Our Botanical World’ discuss their work with Te Papa Press.

The Essential Audrey Eagle: Botanical Art of New Zealand

The Essential Audrey Eagle: Botanical Art of New Zealand offers botanists, gardeners, and art lovers Audrey Eagle’s exquisite botanical artworks – in a compact, portable format.

Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series: Native Plants of Aotearoa

A handy introduction to the unique flora of Aotearoa New Zealand, for the backyard, bach, and backpack.

New Zealand Seaweeds: An Illustrated Guide

The definitive and expert guide to the seaweeds of New Zealand’s coastal waters