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EventsNgā kaupapa motuhake

Our exciting programme of ngā kaupapa motuhake runs all year. Watch song and dance performances, join in with kids activities and cultural days, hear from our experts, and much more.

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  • A pounamu or New Zealand Greenstone pendant in human form with a woven cord.

    Te Papa Foundation Digital Auction

    The online edition of Te Papa Foundation’s annual fundraising event, this year’s auction is our biggest yet. From vintage underwater cameras to artworks and after-hours dinner parties, there’s something for everyone. 

    10.00am 28 Aug to 8.00pm 10 Sep

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A group of people are standing in the botany collection store at Te Papa and looking at a desk with images of plants on them.

    Conservation Week: Behind the scenes with botany tours

    Join us at Te Papa for Conservation Week – Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Tūroa and go behind the scenes to view our Botany Collections. 

    fully booked

    Tue 2 Sep 2025, 11.30am–12.30pm

    Thu 4 Sep 2025, 3.30pm–4.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Photo of a man with dark curly hair, wearing a magnifying visor. He lies on his stomach on the forest floor, parting the soil with a pen and a plant label.

    Conservation Week: Saving our native orchids

    Celebrate conservation week by learning about Aotearoa New Zealand’s most threatened and uncommon orchids, and meet the scientists working to save them from extinction. 

    Sat 6 Sep 2025, 10.00am–12.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A black and white photo of people dancing on a stage.

    The Grand Kiki House of Marama Ball events

    The Kiki House of Marama is the first Ballroom House in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and will be hosting the Grand Kiki House of Marama Ball at Te Papa in October. This will commemorate five years of Marama excellence and the legacy of the growing Wellington Ballroom scene.

  • A black and white photograph of people in a dance studio. The lead person is wearing knee high boots and a black hat and is demonstrating a move.

    Pop-Up Workshops: House of Marama – Hutt Central and Porirua 

    Free pop-up Ballroom introduction workshops in Lower Hutt and Porirua to learn the artforms of Ballroom, led by the Kiki House of Marama.

    These events are held in Lower Hutt and Porirua. Check event for details.

    Sat 6 Sep 2025, 6.00pm–8.00pm

    Sun 7 Sep 2025, 6.00pm–8.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A large group of people at a party in a large foyer with a round window at the back.

    Te Papa Foundation Gala

    Every year, Te Papa needs to raise $38+ million over and above its core funding. The Te Papa Foundation Gala brings together Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading supporters of arts and culture for a black-tie fundraising evening in the heart of our much-loved national museum.

    Sat 6 Sep 2025, 6.30pm to 11.30pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Illustration of a desk with colourful swirly images 'growing' off it.

    Writers on Mondays series

    The International Institute of Modern Letters presents a series of events highlighting the very latest work of Aotearoa New Zealand writers. A lively and stimulating way to begin the week.

    From Mon 7 July

  • Two head and shoulders photos of two men. One black man with no hair in a tshirt against a cream wall, and one white man with a beard in a cap and glasses against a wall with postcards on it.

    Writers on Mondays – The Satire We Deserve: Brannavan Gnanalingam and Duncan Sarkies

    The International Institute of Modern Letters presents a series of events highlighting the very latest work of Aotearoa New Zealand writers. A lively and stimulating way to begin the week.

    Two satirical novelists diagnose life in Aotearoa through hilarious and dangerous fiction that prods our political and social wounds.

    Mon 8 Sep 2025, 12.15–1.15pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Five people sitting around a fire pit beside a stained-glass window.

    After Dark: Ka tangi te pīpīwharauroa

    Huia mai ki tēnei pō koukou ā-kātua anake. E kai i ngā ngongo waiata, ngā awheawhe, ngā whakaari, me te hoko waipiro – i te hūhi o te whare, o te pō.

    Join us for a free, adults–only, late-night event. Enjoy live music, workshops, performances, and a cash bar – all in the museum after dark.

    Fri 12 Sep 2025, 7.00pm–11.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Two people are looking at artwork hung on a black wall.

    Ringa Toi: Te Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa me Ngā Whakaari Toi a Kiwa 

    He whakaaturanga ā-tau o ētahi ākonga kura tuarua e aronui ana ki te Toi Māori me Ngā Toi a Kiwa kei taumata Tiketike.

    An annual showcase of artwork by secondary school students with a focus on Toi Māori and Pacific Arts at Excellence level. 

    15 to 28 Sep, 10.00am–6.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Four women in traditional dance costume are posing together and smiling at the camera.

    Performance: Puku Rangi Tea from Rapa Nui

    Join us for a cultural demonstration from Rapa Nui Easter Island, one of the most isolated locations in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.

    Thu 18 Sep 2025, 1.00pm–1.45pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A stylised figure in black is standing under a stylised white thumbprint.

    Friends Event: Te Papa’s Contribution to Kiwi Research

    There is a long history of kiwi research at Te Papa, including work by some of our former directors, and Te Papa holds a significant collection of kiwi specimens and fossils. Science researcher Lara Shepherd will give an overview of Te Papa’s kiwi collections and explain how they have been — and continue to be — used to learn more about these elusive birds.

    Thu 18 Sep, 2025, 5.00pm–6.00pm

  • A child's hands press down a piece of clay next to a leaf and rolling pin.

    Tamariki Time: Rākau and Ngahere

    A free interactive drop-in session for tamariki (children) aged 5 and under. This month, explore the rākau (trees) that are all around us.

    Fri 19 Sep 2025, 10.00am–12 noon

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A black and white montage of five people in different poses.

    Panel Talk: Ballroom Culture

    Leading up to The Grand Kiki House of Marama Ball this panel talk will delve into the world of Ballroom, its history and culture, how it found its way to the shores of Aotearoa, and its growing presence here in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. 

    Thu 2 Oct 2025, 6.30–8.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • Black and white photo of five people in a vogue workshop in various poses.

    Workshops: Grand Marama Ball

    Free workshops to learn the fundamentals of Vogue Fem and other Ballroom categories led by internationally renowned Ballroom icons and legends Arturo Mulan, Matyouz Royalty, and Jaycee Iman.

    This event is held at Te Auaha, Wellington. Check event for details.

    Fri 3 Oct 2025, 6.00–10.00pm

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • A black and white photo of people dancing on a stage.

    The Grand Kiki House of Marama Ball

    Experience a night of performances, beauty, and fashion as walkers compete for trophies in a display of queer and trans joy, liberation, and Ballroom artistry.

    Sat 4 Oct 2025, 6.30pm to 12.30am

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

  • An image of an orange-red table with tea and teapots along with three-tierd plates with small cakes.

    Eat Your Art Out

    A high tea to delight your eyes and taste buds.  

    From 28 June, daily sessions at 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:00pm, and 2:30pm. 

    Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake