ExhibitionsNgā whakaaturanga

Celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural environment. See Gallipoli through the eyes and words of eight ordinary New Zealanders. Hear extraordinary stories from young refugees.

Note: Toi Art art galleries on Level 4 and 5 are closed while new exhibitions are being installed.

Exhibitions on now

Find out what is currently showing at Te Papa in Wellington

Mānawatia a Matariki

Celebrate Matariki – the beginning of the New Year in Aotearoa New Zealand, marked by the rising of the Matariki star cluster.

On now

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War

This ground-breaking exhibition tells the story of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I through the eyes and words of eight ordinary New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

On now

Ongoing

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

General view of an exhibition space with a large projection on the wall, a waka (Māori canoe) in the foreground, and further exhibits in the background

Mana Whenua

Mana Whenua takes you on a stirring journey that explores and celebrates Māori as tangata whenua (the indigenous people) of Aotearoa New Zealand.

On now

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Manu Rere Moana

The navigation of the Pacific by waka hourua | double-hulled sailing waka is one of the great achievements of human technology. This exhibition celebrates the mātauranga of celestial navigation that enabled these extraordinary voyages.

On now

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

A large artwork filled with clouds of olive green and black paint. Adding to the surreal cloudscape are small, detailed drawings of decapitated birds’ heads, mountains, fantastical creatures and circular hiapo motifs that create small pockets of narrative.

Toi Art

Coming soon: Fresh takes and new favourites. You’ll find them in Toi Art.

Keep an eye on this page to see which exhibitions will be open from June 2025.

Opening soon

Reopening June 2025

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

A space in a museum with tall poles and two walls with text on them.

Treaty of Waitangi: Signs of a Nation

Discover how the Treaty has shaped relationships between the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand.

On now

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Britten Bike

See the record-breaking Britten V1000 motorbike, designed and built by Kiwi genius John Britten.

On now

Long-term display

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Te Taiao | Nature

You’re the explorer in our Te Taiao | Nature exhibition zone. Celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural environment – and get ready for our future as kaitiaki.

On now

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

A father and daughter hold hand on an ornately carved wharenui (large meeting house)

Rongomaraeroa

An authentic and inclusive marae (communal meeting place) for the 21st century.

On now

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Three carved wooden marionettes with cords and feathers attached on a white background.

Karetao-puoro

Visit three karetao-puoro (instruments that are figures too) created by artist James Webster to give karetao a voice by incorporating taonga puoro into their design. Watch the whānau of karetao in action in Tokotū (Rise Up), the story of Ranginui and Papatūānuku.

On now

Wed 5 Jun – mid 2026

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

A group of Māori men lift a waka onto the shore

He Kaupapa Waka

E kau ki te tai e, e kau ki te tai e! Celebrate the thriving waka community.

On now

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

The Colossal Squid

Meet the only colossal squid on display in the world.

On now

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Tangata o le Moana: The story of Pacific people in New Zealand

Celebrate the story of Pacific people, past and present, in all areas of life.

On now

Long-term exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Phar Lap

Phar Lap was a legendary racehorse and an adored animal hero for a generation of people in New Zealand. You can pay your respects to his bones here, in the country he was born.

Open

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Display case showing a taxidermy seagull suspended from its roof alongside a number of carved pou, wooden poles

Moriori – People of Peace

Learn about the Moriori people who inhabit Rēkohu | the Chatham Islands.

On now

Long-term exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Passports

Remarkable stories of people who migrated to New Zealand over the last 200 years.

On now

Long-term exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

The Mixing Room: Stories from young refugees in New Zealand

Young refugees invite you to hear their extraordinary stories.

On now

Long-term exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Multiple glass-fronted cases against a wall display an array of items, from birds and sheep, to a bottle of wine and a blender

Blood Earth Fire

Explore New Zealand’s dramatic transition from untouched paradise to cultivated land.

On now

Long-term exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

A man and two children standing on a suspension bridge look into the bush

Bush City

Step outside into a living, growing exhibition. Explore native bush and a volcanic landscape.

On now

Open daily until 5pm

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Quake Braker

Go underground to see the amazing Kiwi innovation that ‘puts the brakes on’ in an earthquake.

On now

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

View of the John Parker exhibition, showing three glass plinths containing sculptures

John Parker: Handmade Precision

John Parker is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive ceramic artists. Simple lines, clean edges, and industry-inspired forms feature throughout his 50-year career.

On now

On now

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Touring exhibitions

See which of our exhibitions are touring Aotearoa New Zealand

A painting of a wooden building with a green flat-bed truck parked outside. The truck has the word Mangaweka on the door.

Touring Exhibition – Robin White: Tuituia | Something Is Happening Here

More than 50 works from across Dame Robin White’s 50-year career will form what the artist describes as a ‘family reunion’, bringing together works from 22 galleries and living rooms across the country.

TOURING

2025–2027

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Illustration of red and black shapes and lava with a stylised face drawn with red lines on the darkest part.

Touring Exhibition – Rūaumoko: Restless land

Te Papa and the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake are taking Rūaumoko: Restless land around Aotearoa New Zealand to promote natural hazard awareness and preparedness.

TOURING EXHIBITION

Currently touring Aotearoa New Zealand

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Touring Exhibition – Clever Crustaceans

Combining the expertise of scientists from NIWA and Te Papa, our latest touring exhibition invites the public to meet Aotearoa New Zealand’s most famous crustaceans!

TOURING EXHIBITION

Currently touring Aotearoa New Zealand

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Three men with tattoos in a room. Two of the men are sitting on the floor, one is standing with his back to the camera

Touring Exhibition – Tatau: Sāmoan Tattooing and Photography

This exhibition presents the work of four photographers who capture the dynamic practice of contemporary Sāmoan tatau (tattooing) over the last 40 years.

TOURING EXHIBITION

Currently touring Aotearoa New Zealand

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Three people looking at jars of creatures in a museum

Touring Exhibition – Colossal Squid: Freaky Features!

Because they live at extreme depths in freezing water, us humans know very little about the colossal squid’s life, they are very rarely captured or seen. Find out about different parts of the colossal squid using Interactive objects and rotating models.

TOURING EXHIBITION

Currently touring Aotearoa New Zealand

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Touring Exhibition – Kura Pounamu: Our Treasured Stone

An exhibition created by Te Papa working closely with Ngāi Tahu, featuring more than 200 taonga pounamu (Aotearoa New Zealand greenstone treasures).

TOURING EXHIBITION

Currently touring Aotearoa New Zealand

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Te Kawau-a-toru (The pet shag of Kupe) French Pass, Marlborough, 2002 by Michael Hall

Kupe Sites

Stunning photography – landmarks from Kupe’s voyage. Host this touring art exhibition at your venue.

North Island kokako, 1865 -1885, New Zealand, by John Buchanan

Buller’s Birds: The art of Keulemans and Buchanan

Illustrations from a rare first edition, and more. Host this touring exhibition at your venue.

A child and his mother playing with an interactive firefly screen in the Bug Lab exhibition

Find out more about our touring exhibitions

Te Papa exhibitions on tour.

Past exhibitions

Browse our past exhibitions

A long beige banner image with an older woman with bright orange hair, heavy makeup, a tiara and bold jewellery on. She is looking at the camera with a slight sneer.

Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery

Created by Vivienne Westwood Limited and produced by Nomad Exhibitions, this retrospective exhibition celebrates the iconic jewellery of renowned British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood (1941–2022).

Closed

17 Jan–27 Apr 2025

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga