Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand

Artist profiles

Read about artists, photographers, and tohunga mahi toi and their works in our collection.

  • A black and white photo of a woman in a white coat sitting at a desk and looking at the camera.

    Nancy Adams: Botanist and artist

    Nancy Adams (1926–2007) was one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most notable botanists and a talented artist. One of Te Papa’s most prolific botany collectors of all time, she also painted and drew an incredible number of botanical illustrations. She used her artwork to produce important books about Aotearoa New Zealand’s flora, including seaweeds, flowers, trees, and alpine plants.

  • Rita Angus looks towards the photographer in a portrait of her painting herself

    Rita Angus: Artist

    Rita Angus produced a remarkable body of drawings, watercolours, and paintings. A committed feminist, and a pacifist, Angus’ work was deeply entwined with her view of the world, creating a unique image of 20th-century Aotearoa New Zealand.

  • People standing in a group ready for a protest. There are police standing to the left of them.

    Photographer: Ans Westra

    Dutch-born New Zealand photographer Ans Westra is known for her black-and-white documentary photography of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, including protests and marches, Māori communities, street photography, and industrial scenes.

  • A painting of a harbour inlet painted in solid colours.

    Robin White: Artist

    Dame Robin White (Ngāti Awa, Pākehā) is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most loved living contemporary artists. For over fifty years, Robin White has portrayed people and their environments in Aotearoa New Zealand, Kiribati, Fiji, Tonga, and beyond.