Blood Earth Fire

This is the story of how the forests of Aotearoa

Aotearoa were rapidly cleared, the wetlands drained, new species introduced – and others lost for all time. It's also the story of how we have come to love and care for this land.

When | Āhea Long-term exhibition
Where | Ki hea Level 3
Cost | Te utu Free entry
Ages | Te reanga All ages
Allow | Me whakarite 40 minutes
Accessibility | E wātea ana ki
- Wheelchair accessible
Find out more about accessibility at Te Papa

Encounter New Zealand 1,000 years ago, when there were no people and giant flightless moa browsed in the undergrowth.
Explore the ways that the first people of Aotearoa forged deep connections with this land.
Imagine you’re a quarantine officer, and hunt for dangerous invader species in a container.
See a short film where Kiwis talk about their own tūrangawaewae

tūrangawaewae.

Exhibition highlights Taonga whakaatu

Face jersey Object
Face jersey

Lee Andersen circa 1985 GH015483/1
Town and country landscape Object
Town and country landscape

Marcus King circa 1950 1989-0013-4
Kahu kānga Object
Kahu kānga

Ms Tangimoe Clay 2016 ME024224
Mt. Sefton, from Hermitage Object
Mt. Sefton, from Hermitage

Charles Worsley circa 1898-1902 1965-0003-1
Pā kahawai (trolling lure) Object
Pā kahawai (trolling lure)

Unknown ME004032
Kākāpō, Strigops habroptilus Specimen
Kākāpō, Strigops habroptilus

OR.011109
Taxidermied Jersey cow Object
Taxidermied Jersey cow

Edward Gerrard & Sons 1950s GH011802