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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).

  • A stylised image of a boy sitting and looking at a cow.

    Taku Waimarie – Kia Mau Festival 2023

    To mark the start of the 40th-year celebrations, Taki Rua is bringing back one of its original Te Reo Māori Season productions: ‘Taku Waimarie’, by Willy Craig Fransen – showing as part of the 2023 Kia Mau Festival.


    Sat 3 Jun 2023, 10.30am–11.15am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A black card with three white arrows on it in a column. There are connecting lines between the arrows.

    Performance: Tuku Iho

    Experience ‘Mataaho: Te Puni Aroaro’ through a different lens with a unique movement response by Te Rau Oriwa Mitchell.


    8–10 June, 20-minute performances daily at 10.30am, 11.15am, and 12.30pm.

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Book cover with a four women dressed in togas leaning over a lily pond.

    Peter Turner Memorial Lecture: Lissa Mitchell

    In this year’s lecture, Curator Historical Documentary Photography Lissa Mitchell will share the stories of some of the photographers featured in her recent book, ‘Through Shaded Glass’ and discuss decisions made in distilling her detailed research into the publication.


    8 Jun 2023 from 7pm. Doors open at 6.45pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • a woman is looking at Pacific island items on a wall.

    Taonga at Te Papa: Learn how we keep people and collections safe

    Take a tour of our facilities and Pacific collection store to see how we protect the people and taonga (treasures).


    Sat 10 Jun 2023, 10.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Three women in a field in Victorian clothing. One woman is taking a photo of the other two women.

    Symposium: Photographic practice Keynote address and panel discussions

    Massey University – Whiti o Rehua School of Art in partnership with Te Papa is pleased to present this year’s Peter Turner Memorial Lecture and symposium. Shifting the focus to contemporary photographic practice by women, irawhiti takatāpui, people who are non-binary and on the trans or genderqueer spectrum in Aotearoa New Zealand.


    Sat 10 Jun 2023, 10.30am–4.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • 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

  • Close-up photo of a woman performing during Taikura Kapa Haka

    Concert: Taikura Kapa Haka

    Nau mai, hoki mai! After a three-year gap, Taikura Kapa Haka returns to Te Papa.


    Sat 1 – Sun 2 Jul 2023

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • An illustration of children having fun

    School Holiday Kids’ Activities

    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.


    01 Jul – 16 Jul

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Two people sit at a desk crafting a bumper sticker out of pieces of brightly-coloured adhesive material

    Wish Upon a Whetū

    Make your own wish card for the Māori New Year!


    Mon 3 Jul 2023, 10.00am–2.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A designed stylised Māori-design image

    ‘Tiaho Pō’ – Royal New Zealand Ballet for Matariki, performances and workshops

    Join us for the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s enchanting new family ballet ‘Tiaho Pō: the story of Māhina’ and her deep power drawn from the earth. Then stay and learn some dance steps from the new ballet with one of the RNZB Dance Educators.


    7 and 8 July. Separate performances in English, te reo Māori, and NZSL. Check the event for details.

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • A paintbrush, some paints, and a piece of card sit on a table

    Mini Paint & Sip Session for Tamariki

    Kids, channel your inner Picasso, Pick, or Parekowhai – and get creative with the whetū (stars) of Matariki!


    Tue 11 Jul 2023, 10.30am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • A man in a pirate outfit is photoshopped onto a beach

    Zappo’s Magical Pirate Show

    Your favourite magician comes back to Te Papa!


    Wed 12 Jul 2023, 10.30am–11.15am
    Wed 12 Jul 2023, 12.30pm–1.15pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Head and shoulders of a man in glasses and bow tie with a bright yellow background.

    Mr Fungus: New Zealand’s Loudest Mime

    Aotearoa New Zealand’s loudest mime, Mr Fungus returns at last to Te Papa Tongarewa!


    Thu 13 Jul 2023, 10.30am–11.15am
    Thu 13 Jul 2023, 12.30pm–1.15pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • View of a dramatic coastline, with a person holding up a photo frame, framing the view

    Matariki Mahi Toi: Make a Photo Frame

    Decorate a photo frame and place an image of a loved one inside, keeping them with you always.


    Fri 14 Jul 2023, 10.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • View of the Matariki star cluster at sunrise in a dark night sky

    Matariki 2023 at Te Papa

    Mānawatia a Matariki! Come celebrate Matariki at Te Papa with a series of whakangahau (concerts), kōrero, and whānau-friendly activities that allow you to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.


    Fri 14 – Sun 16 Jul 2023

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Two members of Haumanu Collective performing on stage

    Matariki Whakangahau | Concert: Haumanu – Mauri Oro

    Immerse yourself in the world of taonga pūoro. Experience live performances and kōrero from members of the Haumanu Collective as they honour ngā whetū o Matariki.


    Fri 14 Jul 2023, 6.30pm–8.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • Watercolour painting of a massive feast, showing the large, 14-floor wooden structure it was held in

    Matariki Mahi Toi: Build a Mini Hākari & Flashcards

    Build your own miniature hākari, a kai display for a feast, celebrating Tipuānuku and Tipuārangi. Make a set of flashcards to take home that will help you learn taiao-related kupu Māori.


    Sat 15 Jul 2023, 10.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Two people sit on a picnic blanket on the beach looking up into the sky

    Matariki Whakangahau | Concert: Aro

    Come along and experience the sounds of husband and wife duo, Charles (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Te Ata, Te Ari Awamutu) and Emily Looker. The pair share a passion for the power of language and music to tell stories and remind us of our cultural identity.


    Sat 15 Jul 2023, 11.30am–12.15pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Aerial view of mountains covered in dense bush with a river running down it and clouds obscuring the tops

    Matariki Kōrero | Conversations: Ngā Whetū o Te Taiao

    Join environmental practitioners as they kōrero about their work in various fields including biodiversity, wetland restoration, and more. View taonga from our collection that are connected to these kōrero.


    Sat 15 Jul 2023, 2.00pm–3.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A handmade star of cardboard hangs

    Matariki Mahi Toi: Make a Waka Huia | Treasure Box and Whetū Mobile

    Inspired by the wishing star Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, think about your hopes for the year ahead as you get crafty!


    Sun 16 Jul 2023, 10.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Young woman poses for a photo while holding a guitar

    Matariki Whakangahau | Concert: HINA

    Join us for a daytime concert with HINA (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga). Known as a gifted pop and neo-soul music artist, she brings us a freshly reimagined sound to herald the rise of Matariki in Pōneke.


    Sun 16 Jul 2023, 12.00pm–1.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • View of the Milky Way

    Matariki Kōrero | Conversations: E Hiwa, e

    Join influential rangatahi as they share their aspirations and insights for the future.


    Sun 16 Jul 2023, 2.00pm–4.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake