Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand

EventsNgā kaupapa motuhake

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

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  • People sitting at tables and on the floor in front of three seated speakers on the raised platform in front of the wharenui at Te Papa.

    He Puna Kōrero | Mahuru Māori Speaker Series

    He Puna Kōrero invites you to listen to inspirational words from Māori language leaders to fuel your reo Māori journey amongst the community every Wednesday in celebration of Mahuru Māori.

    Wed 9 Sep 2026, 12:30– 1:30pm

    Wed 16 Sep 2026, 12:30– 1:30pm

    Wed 23 Sep 2026, 12:30– 1:30pm

    Wed 30 Sep 2026, 12:30– 1:30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Illustration of boy jumping into water

    RNZB Presents the new children’s ballet: Te Pohū | The Bomb

    This magical 40-minute ballet is the perfect introduction to the world of dance, offering children and their whānau (families) a free and unforgettable live theatre experience. Dance workshops also on offer provide a unique opportunity for children to learn ballet with RNZB Dance Educators, with te reo Māori, NZSL, and relaxed sessions available.

    Sat 12 Sep 2026, 10.30am–3.15pm

    Sun 13 Sep 2026, 10.30am–3.15pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A stylised figure in black is standing under a stylised white thumbprint.

    Beyond the Aperture: The Art of Paying Attention

    Dr Chris McKeown’s upcoming talk explores how artists create invitations to notice that become a meaningful meeting place between maker and viewer. Drawing on photography, neuroscience, and lived creative practice, he shows how slowing down and truly noticing can support creativity.

    This link will take you to the Friends of Te Papa website.

    Sat 26 Sep, 3pm–4pm

  • A set of three plates on a stand with different food on each plate, surrounded by a colourful tablecloth and cups and saucers.

    Eat Your Art Out

    A high tea to delight your eyes and taste buds – with new menu inspired by Slow Burn: Women and Photography.

    Daily sessions at 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:00pm, and 2:30pm.

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A stylised figure in black is standing under a stylised white thumbprint.

    World Day of Friends of Museums 2026

    World Day of Friends of Museums invites our community to celebrate the passion and global connection shared by Friends groups and museum supporters around the world. At Te Papa, visitors can enjoy back‑of‑house tours, a vibrant photography competition and friendly conversations in the foyer, an uplifting day to connect and join in the spirit of museum friendship.

    This link will take you to the Friends of Te Papa website.

    Sun 11 Oct, 9am–5pm

  • A person is talking to two other people about an artwork on the wall that is brightly coloured string on a black wall.

    Lucky Dip Art Talks

    Zoom in on the artworks and stories in Toi Art, with a 15-minute tour guided by Te Papa’s knowledgeable hosts. 

    Wednesdays and Sundays, 11 to 11.15am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A large group of people at a party in a large foyer with a round window at the back.

    Te Papa Foundation Gala

    ​‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍ ​‍​‍​‍‍​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌​‍​‍​‍​​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍​‍​‍​‍‍​‍​‍‌‍‍​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‍​‍​‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌​​‌‍​‌​‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌​​‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍​‍‍‌‍​‌‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍​‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‌‍​‌‍‌‌​​‍‍‌‍​‌‍‌‍‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌​‍​‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‍‌‌‌​​‍​‌‍​​​‌‍​‌‍​‍‌​​​‍‌‍‍‌‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌​​‍‌​‌‍​​‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌​‍‌​‍​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‍‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‍​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌​​‌​‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌​‌‍‍‌‌‌​​‍​‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍​‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌‍​‌‌‌​‌‍‍​​‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌​‌​‍‌‍‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌‍​‌‌​‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍​‌‍‌‍‍‌‌​‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌​​‍‍​​​​‍‍‌‍‌​‌‍‌‌‌​‌‍​‌Save the date for Wellington’s premier black-tie fundraising evening, the Te Papa Foundation Gala. ‌

    Sat 14 Nov 2026, 6.30pm to 11.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

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