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Events Ngā kaupapa motuhake

Our exciting programme of ngā kaupapa motuhake

  ngā kaupapa motuhakeeventsMāori runs all year. Watch song and dance performances, join in with kids activities and cultural days, hear from our experts, and much more.

See our Friends of Te Papa events (non-members can still attend these events, but members get a discounted price).

  • An Italian courtyard garden.

    Friends Talk: What Isabella wanted: the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Boston’s Gilded Age

    The talk will focus on the self-assembled collection of art and objects created by Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840–1924) with Phyllis Mossman.


    Thu 30 Mar 2023, 11.00am–12.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • some hands holding a piece of paper that has been cut, folded and coloured to look like a bird mask.

    Tamariki Time: Te Taiao

    Create some fun manu (bird) masks in Te Taiao | Nature.


    Wed 5 Apr 2023, 10.30am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • An illustration of children having fun

    School Holiday Kids’ Activities

    April Showtime! Free events for tamariki ages 3–9 years. Jump into the fun at Te Papa these school holidays with our activities for little ones. These whānau-friendly events are for children accompanied by adults.


    09 Apr – 21 Apr 2023

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Kids standing behind a dj mixing desk

    Save a spot – Kids DJ Workshop for Beginners

    Hands on deck and follow DJ Shan’s instructions! You are about to become a DJ!


    Tue 11 Apr 2023, 10.30am–11.30am
    Tue 11 Apr 2023, 12.00pm–1.00pm
    Tue 11 Apr 2023, 1.30pm–2.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • A man dressed as a magician surrounded by drawn magic accessories

    Zappo the Magician’s new show: ‘Spells-a-Poppin’

    Zappo the Magician presents his new, exciting and fun-filled show ‘Spells-a-Poppin’.


    Wed 12 Apr 2023, 10.30am–11.15am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Adults and children enjoying the water coming from a fire engine hose.

    Emergency Services Expo – 6th Edition

    The Emergency Services Expo comes back to Te Papa, bigger then ever!


    Sat 15 Apr 2023, 10.00am–2.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A man in a blue suit is looking down at a small girl and smiling.

    Funny Business: Clown comedy with Fraser Hooper

    Guaranteed giggles galore from internationally award-winning funny man Fraser Hooper.


    Tue 18 Apr 2023, 10.30am–11.15am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Illustration of two eels and two people dancing

    Te Taiao Whānau Day

    Draw, dance, and get your hands stuck into some uku (clay) during this day of free activities that connect us with te taiao (the natural world).


    Wed 19 Apr 2023, 10.00am–2.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A woman is smiling at small children

    Save a Spot – How do I feel? The music of emotions

    Can musical instruments talk and express their feelings? Come and find out with the New Zealand String Quartet and Chris Lam Sam.


    Wed 19 April, both events run for 40 minutes: 10:30–11:10am and 12:00–12:40pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Kids standing behind a dj mixing desk

    Next Gen DJ Party

    Join Aotearoa New Zealand’s coolest little DJs behind the decks for hours of fun! For kids 8 and older.


    Thu 20 Apr 2023, 10.30am–12.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A woman in bright clothing is standing next to a puppet and they're waving hands at the camera. The image has a very brightly coloured background.

    Music with Michal and special guest Moe

    Sing, dance, and have fun with Aotearoa New Zealand’s Best Children’s Artist 2022 – Music with Michal along with special guest Moe!


    Sat 22 April. Two shows only, each show is followed by a meet-and-greet with selfies.

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A woman is shown hitting a chisel into wood that is being carved into a waka (canoe)

    Aukahatia: live lashing on waka tauā Māmari

    Observe, ask questions, and learn as Billy Harrison and Hine Waitai-Dye undertake lashing maintenance on waka tauā Māmari, on display in ‘He Kaupapa Waka’.


    Thu 27 Apr 2023, 11.00am–2.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Hine and Billy paddle their waka (canoes) in the water

    He Kaupapa Waka: Tārai Waka with Billy Harrison and Hine Waitai-Dye

    As part of the exhibition He Kaupapa Waka, we’re hosting mātanga tārai waka (canoe building specialists) Billy Harrison and Hine Waitai-Dye as they share mātauranga about kaupapa waka.


    Thu 27 – Sun 29 Apr 2023

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A hoe (canoe paddle)

    Te Kakau o te Hoe: Tārai Waka Workshop #1

    Join Billy Harrison and Hine Waitai-Dye in this workshop centred around tārai waka (canoe building) practices, immersing you in mātauranga waka.

    Sold out
    Fri 28 Apr 2023, 10.30am–12.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A person picks up a jar of earth pigment

    Te Kakau o te Hoe: Tārai Waka Workshop #2

    Join Billy Harrison and Hine Waitai-Dye in this workshop centred around tārai waka (canoe building) practices, immersing you in mātauranga waka.


    Sat 29 Apr 2023, 10.30am–12.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • A man uses an angle grinder to shape an oar

    Te Kakau o te Hoe: Tārai Waka Workshop #3

    Join Billy Harrison and Hine Waitai-Dye in this workshop centred around tārai waka (canoe building) practices, immersing you in mātauranga waka.


    Sat 29 Apr 2023, 1.30pm–3.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • A woman in a white shirt and blue costume skirt singing and dancing in a crowd of people.

    Tamariki Time: Rotuma Language Week 2023

    Bring your tamariki (children) to learn about Rotuman culture and heritage through song, dance, and stories.


    Wed 10 May 2023, 10.30am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A birds-eye view of adults and children making art around a large table.

    Tamariki Time: Toi Art

    Learn more about ‘Mataaho: Te Puni Aroaro’ by making and doing in Toi Art.


    Wed 21 Jun 2023, 10.30am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake