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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).

  • three red burger buns with green lettuce appearing to be flying in a galaxy in space

    Space on a Plate: Destination Mars cosmic burger

    Saving Mars is bound to work up an appetite, so complete your ‘out of this world’ experience with our Cosmic burger. Complete with edible soil from Mars (probably) fries (from Earth) and finished with our glittering galaxy desert, this is a true inter-planetary experience.


    11 Dec 2021 – 20 Mar 2022

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Close up of a hand taking a small cake from a plate

    Rita Angus: High Tea

    Our charming high teas are back, this time immersing you in an experience that is quintessentially Rita.


    11am & 2pm daily, 18 Dec 2021 – 25 Apr 2022

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Team photo of a football team

    Friends Talk: The Forgotten Coast

    A Friends of Te Papa event. Aotearoa New Zealand has a dark colonial past and the reckoning with its legacy has been a long time coming. Professor Richard Shaw adds to the conversation in his powerful memoir, The Forgotten Coast, which interrogates his family history and pieces together the lives of three significant male ancestors.


    Thu 27 Jan 2022, 5.30pm–7.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A view of the Destination Mars set, featuring a series of desks shaped like rings with screens on them, and a giant screen on the wall, circling the set with a Martian landscape on it

    Destination Mars – Friday evening sessions

    Head into outer space on this interactive experience where gaming wizardry plus captivating live action equals high-stakes adventure!


    Fri 28 Jan 2022, 7.00pm–7.45pm
    Fri 11 Feb 2022, 7.00pm–7.45pm
    Fri 18 Mar 2022, 7.00pm–7.45pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Leon Perrie guides a group of children through Bush City. The children are looking at small leaves under magnifying glasses

    Te Taiao Whānau Fun: Freshwater

    Dive into fun activities for the whole whānau and learn about freshwater of Aotearoa.

    Postponed
    Sat 29 Jan 2022, 10.00am–3.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A woman in a grey cardigan standing in an Art storage unit and smiling off into the distance

    Curator tour: Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist

    Go deeper into the works of celebrated New Zealand painter Rita Angus in this guided tour with Curator Modern Art, Lizzie Bisley.

    Postponed
    Sat 29 Jan 2022, 11.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Photo of Carlos among wetlands

    Talk: Conservation of New Zealand Wetland Orchids

    It’s world wetlands day! Join Dr Carlos Lehnebach for a special talk, unpacking the hidden world of wetland orchids.


    Wed 2 Feb 2022, 12.00pm–1.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A woman places packets of seeds into a woven basket

    Workshop: Seed Collecting and Saving

    Join Soraya Pohatu (Taiao Lead, Rongowhakaata) for a hands-on practical gardening workshop in Te Māra ki te Rangi | Garden in the Sky.

    Postponed
    Sat 5 Feb 2022, 11.00am–1.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A woman and two children sit at a table doing craft activities

    Waitangi Day Whānau Day

    Bring your whānau along for an investigative treasure hunt, a map making activity, and create, learn, and practice poi. Spend some quality time with your loved ones here at Te Papa!


    Sun 6 Feb 2022, 10.00am–1.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A watercolour painting of a woman's head with a bowl of fruit in it

    Open Day: Rita’s garden

    Spend time in the garden at the Rita Angus Cottage. Bring a picnic, sketch Rita’s favourite views, and hear from those who tend her garden today.


    Sat 12 Feb 2022, 1.00pm–2.30pm
    Sat 12 Feb 2022, 2.30pm–4.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Two women working with a computer and a painting

    Talk: Rita Angus’ Eyes

    Painting Conservator Linda Waters will share discoveries and insights revealed when examining the paintings by Rita Angus.

    Postponed
    Sun 13 Feb 2022, 11.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Two people look at a painting, a portrait by Rita Angus

    Watercolour workshop

    Create your own watercolour portrait inspired by Rita Angus’ beautiful art at this workshop with artist Maisie Chilton.

    Sold out
    Sun 13 Feb 2022, 1.00pm–3.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Koffie Fugah poses for a photo with an African drum

    West African Drum and Dance Workshop

    Join a West African drum and dance workshop led by world class master Djembefola (drummer) of Ghana, Koffie Fugah.


    Thu 17 Feb 2022, 6.30pm–8.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • A group of women performing on a stage

    Te Papa After Dark: Mother Tongue 2022

    Join us for a night of African languages, dance, music, and taonga – in partnership with the African Communities Council Wellington (ACCW) – to celebrate International Mother Language Day.


    Thu 17 Feb 2022, 7.30pm–10.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Lisa Reihana stands in front of the doors to Te Papa’s marae, made of blue glass with Māori motifs

    Artist talk: Lisa Reihana

    Around the world and back again. Hear artist Lisa Reihana talk about researching and creating her panoramic digital artwork ‘in Pursuit of Venus [infected]’. This talk will have an NZSL interpreter.


    Sat 26 Feb 2022, 2.00pm–3.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A woman and a child are spinning around in a purple-lit room

    Whānau Workshop: A union of the senses

    Come along to make your own dance ribbon and twirl to the music in Rita Angus’ wonderful world of art!


    Sat 12 Mar 2022, 10.00am–1.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A symphony orchestra playing music together

    NZSO Performance: New Traditions – Art and Music of Aotearoa

    Spend an evening in the ‘Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist’ exhibition, and hear NZSO musicians perform music by the emerging New Zealand composers of her time.


    Thu 7 Apr 2022, 7.00pm–9.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • People playing music in an orchestra

    NZSO Performance: Rita’s Sounds

    Immerse yourself in some of the music that inspired Rita Angus as she painted, performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra within the exhibition galleries.


    Sat 9 Apr 2022, 11.00am–1.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake