Matariki specials at Te Papa Cafe
Experience Matariki with our star-inspired café specials, featuring seasonal dishes that reflect kai Māori and celebrate ingredients sourced from the land, sea, and sky.
16 to 22 Jun, 9.00am to 3.00pm
Level 1 Cafe, Espresso, Level 4
Prices below
From 16 to 21 June, Te Papa Cafe on level one is celebrating Matariki with daily specials inspired by each whetū in the Matariki star cluster.
Each dish highlights a connection to the natural world, from kaimoana to seasonal produce from the whenua. Enjoy dishes like pipi and mussel chowder, smoked eel galletas, and puha and pork bone broth.
We’re also serving Matariki-themed pastries, including kawakawa honey scones, at both Te Papa cafés. Celebrate the season with flavours that honour tradition and whenua.
Daily menus – Level 1 Cafe
Monday 16 June
Ururangi: Associated with the different winds that we experience across the year.
Windswept greens salad with watercress, wild rocket and mesclun with citrus vinaigrette, slow braised manuka honey lamb ribs, grilled rēwena bread with horopito butter spread, $26.00
Tuesday 17 June
Tipuārangi: connected to the food that is gathered from above the ground and in the trees.
Rustic handmade puha and pork pie with grilled apple and smoked vegetables, served with grilled rēwena bread, $28.00
Wednesday 18 June
Waitā: associated with the ocean and all food sources sustained by these waters.
Pipi and mussels seafood chowder, with grilled rēwena bread, $26.00
Thursday 19 June
Waitī: associated with freshwater and all food sources sustained by these waters.
New Zealand smoked eel galletas with creamy puha, wild rocket and watercress salad, $27.00
Friday 20 June
Tipuānuku: connected to the gardens and food that is grown below the soil.
Kūmara and parsnip terrine with pork roulade piko piko cream, $27.00
Waipunarangi: Associated with the various forms of rain that we experience throughout the year.
Puha and pork bone broth with silver beet, pumpkin, carrot and grilled rēwena bread with rain-fed vegetables, kūmara and beetroot spread, $22.00
Saturday 21 June
Hiwa-i-te-Rangi: Associated with our dreams, aspirations, and desires for the year.
Quinoa pumpkin baby cress salad, hot smoked salmon with watercress dressing, flaxseed crackers, and rēwena bread with manuka honey butter, $28.00
Waipunarangi: Associated with the various forms of rain that we experience throughout the year.
Puha and pork bone broth with silverbeet, pumpkin, carrot and grilled rēwena bread with rain-fed vegetables, kūmara and beetroot spread, $22.00
Sunday 22 June
Pōhutukawa: Connects us to those who have passed since the last rising of Matariki.
Chicken leg, native spice with kūmara and taro mash, beetroot salad, and rangotu harore, $26.00
Waipunarangi: Associated with the various forms of rain that we experience throughout the year.
Puha and pork bone broth with silverbeet, pumpkin, carrot and grilled rēwena bread with rain-fed vegetables, kūmara and beetroot spread, $22.00
Matariki pastry offerings, Level 1 Cafe and Espresso, Level 4
Kawakawa honey scone
Matariki star cookies
Matariki kids cupcake
Seasonal berry tarte
Matariki cake
Te Papa Cafe Matariki Specials, 2025. Photo by Tia Nepia Su'a. Te Papa (264899)
Te Papa Cafe Matariki Specials, 2025. Photo by Tia Nepia Su'a. Te Papa (264899)
