Please note: we will be closing early on Friday 24 (4:30pm) and Saturday 25 June (5pm).

Come celebrate Matariki with us! View our Mānawatia a Matariki programme

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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).

  • Photo of an array of antipasti, including stuffed peppers, mozzarella balls, sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, and dips

    Robin White: Art Narratives Tour & Antipasto Package

    Delve into the stories behind the portraits and landscapes of Robin White’s 50-year career on this guided tour of Toi Art at Te Papa. Complete your afternoon with a decadent antipasto platter and beverage of your choice.


    4 Jun – 18 Sep 2022 (Thu–Sun)

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Photo of an array of antipasti, including stuffed peppers, mozzarella balls, sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, and dips

    Robin White: Art & Antipasto

    Book in for our decadent Art & Antipasto afternoon at Te Papa. Enjoy a platter and a drink while you mull over the iconic works from our Robin White exhibition.


    4 Jun – 18 Sep (Thu-Sun)

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Three of the stars used in the Matariki national holiday identity, side by side – each one featuring an image inside it, or pōhutukawa, ponga, and a galaxy

    Mānawatia a Matariki | Celebrating Matariki 2022

    Explore Te Papa’s full programme of events celebrating Matariki 2022.


    Fri 24 Jun – Sun 3 Jul

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A woman on the ground making paper from wood bark

    Live Makers: Toi Tuku Iho – Aute

    Meet the artists who are revitalising, teaching, and maintaining these practices of aute.


    Sat 25 Jun 2022, 10.00am–1.00pm
    Sun 26 Jun 2022, 10.00am–2.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Colourful wooden sculpture in a modern Māori art style

    Wānanga series: Te Aho Matariki

    Immerse yourself in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) with an incredible weekend line-up of speakers sharing kōrero (talks) about their practice and much more.


    Fri 24 Jun, 11am-3pm, Sat 25 Jun, 1-3pm, Sun 26 Jun, 11am-12pm and 1-2pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Design illustration of a gallery exhibit

    Mānawatia a Matariki Design Tour

    Join Design Team Leader Crystal Jones and Exhibition Experience Developer Murphy Peoples on this design tour of ‘Mānawatia a Matariki: Celebrate our New Year’.


    Sat 25 Jun 2022, 2.00pm–3.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Three men performing on stage

    Concert: He Wai Nō Rua Whetū

    Enjoy a stellar night of waiata performances from Troy Kingi & The Upperclass, and Maisey Rika & Hoea.


    Sat 25 Jun 2022, 7.30pm–10.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • A green tomato still on the vine

    Tai Tamariki Workshop: Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi

    Whānau friendly activity that celebrates the stars, Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi.


    Tue 28 Jun 2022, 10.30am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • People sitting around a table and smelling different herbs in jars

    Rongoā Evening

    A rongoā (tonic, medicine) journey of sights, sounds, fragrances and more that promises to enliven all the senses.


    Tue 28 Jun 2022, 7.00pm–9.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Several instruments made of wood, feathers, pounamu, gourds, and bone on a table with a hand touching one of them.

    Te Ara Haumanu: Taonga pūoro – Whakapapa pūrākau workshop

    Learn about the wonders of taonga pūoro (Māori musical instruments) – their origins and how to make and use them.


    Wed 29 Jun 2022, 11.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Several instruments made of wood, feathers, pounamu, gourds, and bone on a table with a hand touching one of them.

    Te Ara Haumanu: Taonga pūoro – Rongoā workshop

    Learn about the wonders of taonga pūoro (Māori musical instruments) – in the realm of rongoā (medicine).


    Wed 29 Jun 2022, 11.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Several instruments made of wood, feathers, pounamu, gourds, and bone on a table with a hand touching one of them.

    Te Ara Haumanu: Taonga pūoro – Tito Pūoro workshop

    Learn about the wonders of taonga pūoro (Māori musical instruments) – their origins and how to make and use them.


    Wed 29 Jun 2022, 11.30am–12.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Several instruments made of wood, feathers, pounamu, gourds, and bone on a table with a hand touching one of them.

    Te Ara Haumanu: Ko te tito pūoro workshop

    Learn about the wonders of taonga pūoro (Māori musical instruments) – Explore the intricacies of composition and playing taonga pūoro.


    Wed 29 Jun 2022, 1.30pm–2.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Several instruments made of wood, feathers, pounamu, gourds, and bone on a table with a hand touching one of them.

    Te Ara Haumanu: Taonga pūoro – Oro Atua workshop

    Learn about the wonders of taonga pūoro (Māori musical instruments) – Experience pūoro Māori sound healing.


    Wed 29 Jun 2022, 1.30pm–2.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • An array of musical instruments on a table

    Te Ara Haumanu: Taonga pūoro panel talk

    Learn about the wonders of taonga pūoro (Māori musical instruments) – their origins, stories, and how they connect to our musical history.


    Wed 29 Jun 2022, 2.30pm–3.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • A selection of Māori musical instruments on a table

    Te Ara Haumanu: Taonga pūoro concert

    Learn about the wonders of taonga pūoro with a stirring concert that brings the instruments to life.


    Wed 29 Jun 2022, 7.00pm–9.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Several plants sitting in some test tube 'vases' on a table

    Tai Tamariki Workshop: Waitī

    Water is life! Make a magical blessing water in honour of Waitī, the freshwater star.


    Thu 30 Jun 2022, 10.30am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Close-up shot of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performing, with green light from above washing over them

    Concert: NZSO Matariki with Te Papa

    Celebrate the star Waitī with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and conductor Hamish McKeich. Featuring music from Aotearoa New Zealand, Japan, and North America inspired by Matariki and the sights, sounds, and sensations of wai (water).


    Thu 30 Jun 2022, 7.30pm–9.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performs on Te Papa’s marae in front of seated children

    NZSO Matariki Whānau Concert

    Join the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Storytime for kids and their whānau.


    Fri 1 Jul 2022, 11.00am–11.30am
    Fri 1 Jul 2022, 1.00pm–1.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • People milling about in a cafe

    Waitā Weekend Wind-down

    It’s the end of the week! Come, relax and enjoy a chilled evening in the Café before heading to your next destination.


    Fri 1 Jul 2022, 6.00pm–9.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Overhead shot of people standing around a table making prints

    Whānau Day: Hiwaiterangi

    Celebrate Hiwaiterangi, our wishing star, with loads of activities and live performances.


    Sat 2 Jul 2022, 10.00am–2.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Close up of hands holding an object, possibly food, wrapped in banana leaves

    Mana o te Kai Film Showcase

    The Wairoa Film Festival are taking their show on the road for Matariki, with some short and documentary films focused on kai.


    Sun 3 Jul 2022, 10.30am–4.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A cartoon illustration of a five children doing different things

    School Holiday Kids’ Activities

    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 Jul – 24 Jul 2022

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A girl looks at a table full of lego

    Autism NZ Art Display and LEGO Whānau Fun Event

    Check out the creativity of LEGO art in a display by autistic kids in association with Autism NZ. Then join the fun-day event for LEGO-build activities and some great LEGO prizes.


    Sat 09 Jul 10am – Sun 10 July 3pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Two men playing instruments surrounded by puppets

    The Nukes – Fun musical shows and musical workshops

    It’s music, but not as you know it. Join ‘The Nukes’ for this highly entertaining and interactive musical bonanza - combining workshops and shows.


    Tue 12 Jul – Workshop and shows from 10:30

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • An illustration of a globe with two hands holding seeds at the top, one hand with a watering can and one hand with a trowel

    Panel talk: A changing climate – from garden to table

    As the climate changes, we must too! Join us for a kōrero about how climate change impacts our food industry and what local foodies are doing to minimise their carbon footprint.


    Tue 12 Jul 2022, 7.00pm–8.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • a top down photo of a lot of children and adults making things on the floor

    Tamariki Time

    Free art activities for tamariki, inspired by the exhibition ‘Robin White: Something is Happening Here’.


    Wed 13 Jul 2022, 10.30am–11.30am
    Wed 7 Sep 2022, 10.30am–11.30am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • A man sitting cross legged in front of a blue and pink motorbike

    Talk: Britten bike

    Get up close and personal to John Britten’s phenomenal ‘Britten V1000’ as we hear from those who know it well.


    Wed 13 Jul 2022, 7.00pm–8.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • An adult ballerina is teaching a position to five small children who are mirroring her

    Royal New Zealand Ballet Dance workshops

    An exciting chance to dance with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Learn some dance steps from Tāne and the Kiwi with one of the RNZB Dance Educators – especially for kids aged 5–10 years (no dance experience required).


    Thu 14 and Fri 15 July, 10:30am–11:15am and 12.00pm–12:45pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Four people in bird costumes on a stage in poses looking at the camera

    The Royal New Zealand Ballet presents – Tāne and the Kiwi

     Join us for the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s enchanting new production of Tāne and the Kiwi the much-loved bird with the smallest wings and the biggest heart.


    Thu 14 Jul 2022, 2.00pm–2.30pm
    Fri 15 Jul 2022, 11.00am–11.30am
    Fri 15 Jul 2022, 12.00pm–12.30pm
    Fri 15 Jul 2022, 2.00am–2.30am
    Fri 15 Jul 2022, 3.00pm–3.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • An audience is looking at some ballerinas on the stage in the distance

    The Royal New Zealand Ballet – Whānau Day

    Enjoy a performance of the enchanting new production of Tāne and the Kiwi. Then peek behind the scenes of the new production of Cinderella and enjoy a day of fun and learning.


    Sat 16 Jul 2022, 10.00am–3.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • 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’.


    Tue 19 Jul 2022, 10.30am–11.15am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A man with long black hair and wearing a bright pink suit stands next to a person in a Kea costume

    Mr Lam Sam’s Musical Mayhem Show

    Chris Lam Sam leads a rip-roaring school holiday show with songs, games, storytelling, and giveaways – come join the fun!


    Thu 21 Jul 2022, 10.30am–11.15am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Illustration of a man dressed in a kurta (loose collarless shirt) and pants, and turban, lying down and looking at the viewer, holding a bottle of milk

    Performance: Krishnan’s Dairy

    The Taj Mahal and a corner dairy collide in this iconic love story from Indian Ink Theatre Company.


    Sat 17 – Wed 21 Sep

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now