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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).

  • Front cover of the book An Exquisite Legacy

    Book launch: An Exquisite Legacy

    Join us for the launch of the biography of pioneer Aotearoa naturalist George Hudson, whose large collection of insects is now part of Te Papa’s collections.


    Tue 27 Oct 2020, 6.30pm–8.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Photo of external wall of Te Papa, showing the multi-coloured-block windows

    Te Papa Architectural Tour

    See Te Papa’s building from new angles and learn more the symbolism that runs throughout its design during a free tour. Part of Wellington Heritage Week 2020.


    Wed 28 Oct 2020, 10.00am–11.00am
    Thu 29 Oct 2020, 10.00am–11.00am
    Fri 30 Oct 2020, 10.00am–11.00am
    Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9.30am–10.30am
    Sun 1 Nov 2020, 11.30am–12.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Illustration of tūi, weka, giraffe weevil, kōwhai, and fern

    Weka Wednesdays: Whānau Fun in Te Taiao

    Bring your little weka along to one of our free weekly sessions in Te Taiao | Nature. This programme is designed for tamariki aged 6 and under and their whānau.


    Every Wed morning during the school term

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A marionette puppet floats in the air surrounded by strings

    Puppet Show: Tree Friends

    Join puppeteer Anna Bailey for a te taiao themed show.


    Wed 28 Oct 2020, 11.00am–11.30am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Five women lined up on a stage talking to an unseen audience

    Wellington Food Story – Speaker Series

    Hear from prominent Wellingtonians and learn about Wellington’s food story. Bite-sized talks every Wednesday lunch during the festival.


    Wed 28 Oct 2020, 12.00pm–12.45pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Black and white photo of an overhead view of a large apartment block

    Talk: New Zealand’s Modern Heritage

    Architectural historian Julia Gatley surveys where New Zealand is at in terms of heritage recognition for our modern buildings. Part of Wellington Heritage Week 2020.


    Sat 31 Oct 2020, 11.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A photo of a man and a child holding up a piece of paper with leaves glued on it

    Whānau Day with Department of Conservation

    Join Te Papa and the Department of Conservation in protecting our unique natural environment with a day full of free, fun whānau friendly activities.


    Sun 1 Nov 2020, 10.00am–3.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A group of children standing on a stage facing the audience and singing

    Tamariki Kapa Haka

    Watch Kapa Haka performed by tamariki (children) from Wellington schools, Early childhood centre and kindergartens. They have been practising waiata-a-ringa, poi, and haka all year culminating in this performance.


    Wed 4 Nov 2020, 10.30am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Leatherback sea turtle on a beach with trees and the ocean in the background

    Puppet Craft: Meet a Life-Sized Leatherback Turtle Puppet

    Join a life-sized leatherback turtle for a swim through Te Taiao | Nature and finish with story-time in Te Papa Hui. Get crafty and make your own turtle puppet too!


    Wed 4 Nov 2020, 11.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • An etching of five women sitting down wearing flowing robes

    Friends Talk: Burne-Jones’ 1871 Italian Sketchbook

    Three weeks in this seventh heaven of a place.


    Sun 8 Nov 2020, 4.00pm–5.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • View of Te Taiao | Nature, with two moa in the foreground and various displays behind

    Storytelling: Stories of Te Taiao

    Join storyteller Rangimoana Taylor for a captivating session of stories from te taiao.


    Wed 11 Nov 2020, 11.00am–11.30am
    Wed 9 Dec 2020, 11.00am–11.30am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A black and white photo of a woman in a kitchen in the 50s

    Curators’ Tours: Modern Living

    Join the exhibition’s curators to tour Modern Living: Design in 1950s New Zealand. See and hear about furniture, homewares, and architecture from this transformative era.


    Thu 12 Nov 2020, 2.00pm–3.00pm
    Sat 21 Nov 2020, 11.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Three people stand in front of a sitting crowd of young children and parents on an impromptu stage

    Improvised Storytelling with PlayShop

    Join PlayShop for an interactive and improvised Te Taiao storytelling session. PlayShop’s team of talented performers create exciting new stories on the spot, inspired by your ideas and suggestions!


    Wed 18 Nov 2020, 11.00am–11.30am
    Wed 2 Dec 2020, 11.00am–11.30am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Black and white image of a man playing the double bass

    Concert: Jazz in the 21st Century

    Join us to celebrate Wellington Jazz Festival with a performance from The Committee, featuring Mat Fieldes.


    Fri 20 Nov 2020, 12.00pm–1.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Four men playing instruments in a band

    The Royal New Zealand Air Force Jazz Orchestra at Te Papa

    Join the Royal New Zealand Air Force Jazz Orchestra for golden classics and homegrown originals.


    Sat 21 Nov 2020, 12.00pm–1.00pm
    Sat 21 Nov 2020, 1.30pm–2.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A puppet show taking place

    Puppet Show: The Penguin and the Snowman

    A magical story of imagination and friendship.


    Wed 25 Nov 2020, 11.00am–11.30am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A dark room with screens and printed words on the walls

    Meet the Scientists Evening

    Come and hear from some of the experts involved in developing Te Taiao | Nature. Join us for drinks and nibbles in Hīnātore before exploring the exhibition.


    Wed 25 Nov 2020, 3.30pm–6.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Brown teapot

    Modern Living Sensory Tour for Blind and Low-vision Visitors

    Join a tour of Modern Living: Design in 1950s New Zealand for blind and low-vision visitors. Explore this important era through audio description, handling objects, and discussion.


    Thu 26 Nov 2020, 10.30am–11.30am
    Wed 2 Dec 2020, 10.30am–11.30am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Two women sitting at a table and one woman is talking

    Teacher’s Toolkit – PD Evening

    Come and discover the creative programming we have on offer for you and your students while having a tutu (play) at Te Papa.


    Wed 2 Dec 2020, 3.45pm–6.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Five smiling people pose for a photo

    World of WearableArt – Up Close Preview Party

    Be the first to see our latest exhibition World of WearableArt – Up Close


    Fri 11 Dec 2020, 8.30pm–11.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • People sitting in a cafē with teapots and cups in front of them

    High Teas

    Prepare for your theatrical journey with our WOW High Tea.


    Sat 12 Dec – Sun 14 Feb: Daily, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • A woman's eye showing through sea shapes made of felt

    Talks: Up Close with WOW

    Hear fascinating behind-the-scene stories of how the people at WOW bring this yearly event together.


    Tue 15 Dec 2020, 12.00pm–1.00pm
    Tue 19 Jan 2021, 12.00pm–1.00pm
    Tue 2 Feb 2021, 12.00pm–1.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Kiwi puppets

    Puppet Show and Workshop: Once in a Full Moon

    A magical string puppet adventure that introduces the audience to an intimate encounter with a few of New Zealand’s special native creatures.


    Wed 16 Dec 2020, 11.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A person in costume surrounded by leaves

    Dinner, Drag and Art

    Get wowed with an unforgettable evening of glamour, entertainment, and boundless creativity at Te Papa.


    Fri 18 Dec 2020, 7.00pm–10.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Person in a costume on a white background

    World of WearableArt – Up Close: Relaxed Viewing Sessions

    Experience a quieter viewing of this immersive exhibition – for visitors with autism or sensory sensitivities, or living with disability.


    22 Dec, two ticketed entry times:16.30 and 17:00

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Two people wearing black and white costumes

    Late Nights

    Join us for a late night of up-close wearable art, after hours.


    Thu 14 Jan 2021, 7.00pm–9.30pm
    Thu 4 Feb 2021, 7.00pm–9.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Children with facepaint on playing in front of flags

    WOW Whānau Day

    Bring the whole family to Te Papa for a day of imagination and wearable art.


    Sat 23 Jan 2021, 10.00am–2.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake