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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).

  • Haley uses a computer, which displays on a large screen behind her, to teach a group of children who are sitting around a table

    Busting Myths in Digital Technology – Webinar Series

    The Te Papa Learning Team have been innovating educational practice from our Hīnātore | Learning Lab for the past three-and-a-half years. We’ve had the tech, the time, and the tamariki to try a new path for learning. Now we’d love to share our experience with you, in this 10-part webinar series.


    Mondays and Fridays, 20 Jul – 25 Sep

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • a painting of small orange flowers and green leaves

    Friends High Tea: Fabulous Flowers

    A Friends of Te Papa event. Enjoy a glass of bubbles and High Tea while listening as Curator Historical New Zealand Art Rebecca Rice exploring Sarah Featon’s exquisite paintings of the flowering native plants of New Zealand, along with those of her female contemporaries in the 1880s.


    Fri 25 Sep 2020, 3.30pm–5.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Illustration of puppets, ballerinas, dancing, and magicians

    Free School Holiday Kids’ Activities

    Jump into the fun at Te Papa this school holidays with our free activities for little ones. These family-friendly events are for children accompanied by adults.


    Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct 2020

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A group of women in Tuvalu skirts sit on the floor. Behind them apa adorns the walls

    Vaiaso o te ‘gana Tuvalu: Tuvalu Language Week Celebration

    Join the Tuvalu Wellington community on Sunday for a combined interdenominational church service, followed by art making workshops on Wednesday.


    Sun 27 Sep 2020, 10.30am–1.00pm
    Wed 30 Sep 2020, 10.30am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Woman with blond hair and glasses in a yellow floral top in front of a grey background

    Singalong in Suzy’s World

    Sing, dance, and have fun with kiwi icon Suzy Cato and her feathered friend Kahu the Kea!


    Mon 28 Sep 2020, 10.30am–11.15am
    Mon 28 Sep 2020, 1.00pm–1.45pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Mr Lam Sam performs in front of a crowd of children

    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!


    Wed 30 Sep 2020, 10.30am–11.15am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Black and white photo of two people standing next to a lake in the mountains

    Friends Talk: The photography of Leslie Adkin

    A Friends of Te Papa event. Curator of Photograhy Athol McCredie, talks about what's happened with Adkin’s photographs, and what remains to be done. Adkin albums will also be available for viewing.


    Wed 30 Sep 2020, 11.00am–12.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Illustration of a boy in bed. An orange cat jumps onto the bed. The moon shines through the window. A frog sits on the windowsill.

    Puppet Show: Turn on the Light

    Full of original music, songs, and actions, puppet characters tell a story about overcoming the fear of darkness.


    Fri 2 Oct 2020, 10.30am–11.15am
    Fri 2 Oct 2020, 12.00pm–12.45pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Ballerina in pink sleeping on pink lace surrounded by pink roses

    Royal New Zealand Ballet Whānau Day

    Peek behind the scenes of the RNZB’s new production of ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ and enjoy an action-packed day of fun activities.


    Sat 3 Oct 2020, 10.00am–3.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Zappo stands on stage entertaining a large group of children

    Zappo the Magician

    Join in the magic with Zappo! Come and see Zappo’s fun filled magic show featuring brand new magic tricks as well as all your old favourites.


    Tue 6 Oct 2020, 10.30am–11.15am

    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 7 Oct 2020, 12.00pm–12.45pm
    Wed 14 Oct 2020, 12.00pm–12.45pm
    Wed 21 Oct 2020, 12.00pm–12.45pm
    Wed 28 Oct 2020, 12.00pm–12.45pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Illustration of a colossal squid

    Whiti Whānau Fun: Celebrating Colossal Squid

    Take part in a day of free, fun activities for the whole whānau, and learn all about the colossal squid on display in Te Taiao | Nature.


    Thu 8 Oct 2020, 10.00am–3.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A group of girls in blue skirts pose for a photo

    Macawa ni Vosa VakaViti: Fiji Language Week Celebration

    Dress in your finest sulu, shirt, jaba, saree, or salwar kameez for Bula Friday! Listen to the stories, poetry, and songs of Fiji. Take a tour and enjoy the spirit of the Pacific at home.


    Fri 9 Oct 2020, 12.00pm–4.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A young boy shoots a firehose into the air. There is large crowd in the background

    Emergency Services Expo 2020

    Be part of an adrenalin-filled day with Wellington’s Emergency Services. Expect fire demonstrations, high ropes rescue, Police and paramedic demonstrations, and lots more!


    Sat 10 Oct 2020, 10.00am–2.00pm

    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 15 Oct 2020, 10.30am–11.30am
    Sun 18 Oct 2020, 2.00pm–3.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Close up of a woven placemat

    Talk: Matala Foou – Pioneering Niue Women of Wellington

    Experience Aga Niue – the Niue way. Listen to the stories woven in harakeke, pandanus, spoken word, and song, celebrating the lives of first generation women who settled in Wellington.


    Fri 16 Oct 2020, 11.30am–1.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Close up images of five women holding masks

    Tūranga: The Land of Milk and Honey

    Questioning accepted narratives. Exploring divisive issues. Reclaiming our history in order to stimulate the right conversations for the here and now.


    Sun 18 Oct 2020, 1.00pm–2.00pm
    Mon 19 Oct 2020, 7.00pm–8.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

    Book now
  • 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.


    Mon 26 Oct 2020, 10.00am–11.00am
    Tue 27 Oct 2020, 10.00am–11.00am
    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

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

    Talk: Julia Gatley on 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

  • 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

  • Three people standing in a room

    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

  • A person in costume surrounded by leaves

    Dinner, Drag and Art

    A night to remember with your favourite drag artists.


    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.


    Tue 22 Dec 2020, 4.30pm–5.00pm
    Tue 22 Dec 2020, 5.00pm–5.30pm

    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