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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See our Friends of Te Papa events (non-members can still attend these events, but members get a discounted price).

A pendant resembling a planet with a blue ring, gold details, and multicolored gems, hanging from a gold chain.

Events for Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery

Book events and workshops as part of the Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery exhibition.

A table set with teacups, plates, and hightea sandwiches

The Rebels’ Tea Party

Gather your fellow rebels for a high tea like no other, set in our themed lounge.

11.00am or 2.00pm, every day from 17 Jan to 27 Apr 2025

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A photo of two people sharing a joke and laughing at each other. They are standing in front of a black wall with white designs painted on it.

Curatorial couture evening: Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery

Enriching in-the-know evening events hosted by Te Papa curators, featuring fine wine and antipasto platters.

sold out

Thu 3 Apr 2025, 6.30pm–8.30pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

Workshop: Adornment and Identity

To continue celebrating Te Papa’s awe-inspiring Vivienne Westood & Jewellery exhibition, Museum Education Specialist Laura Jones will lead us through a fun and engaging session to explore identity through adornment.

Fri 4 Apr, 3.00–5.00pm

A photo of 5 adults sitting around a table in low lighting. The facilitator leading the activity demonstrates a creative action with a mirror. The 2 participants facing the camera are smiling

After Dark: Mātahi o Rongo

Join us for a free, adults-only late-night event with live music, a cash bar, workshops, screenings, and talks after dark.

Fri 4 Apr 2025, 7.00–11.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A set of colorful carabiners is attached to decorative charms, including a shell-shaped piece with skull cutouts and two large gemstone-like pendants, one pink and one blue, set against a beige background.

Go Big or Go Home: Jewellery workshop

Channel your inner Vivienne Westwood and create a one-of-a-kind trinket.

selling out fast

Sun 6 Apr, 9.30am and 1.30pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

Illustration of five children doing differnt things and looking cheerful.

School Holiday Kids’ Activities

Jump into the fun at Te Papa these school holidays with our activities. These whānau-friendly events are for children and teens.

Sat 12 Apr to Sun 27 Apr

Day Trip: War in the Wellington Landscape

Join New Zealand’s best-known historian, Jock Phillips for a special day trip around Wellington’s war memorials, with historical commentary on New Zealand in war, both locally and internationally.

Sat 12 Apr, 9.00am–5.00pm

A woman is bending down to reach a basket that is sitting under a wooden structuire. A small child is standing beside her and looking at the basket.

Rā o te Whānau: Ngahuru kura kai kura tangata

Learn about ngahuru (autumn) for this Whānau Day with free family-friendly activities, workshops, and performances.

Sat 12 Apr 2025, 10.00am–12.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A pair of hands holding a piece of carved wood on a string between both hands. In the background is a table of wooden Māori instruments on a red cloth.

Workshop: Taonga Puoro

Join Kāhui Manu for a hands-on workshop and learn to play taonga puoro.

Sun 13 Apr 2025, 10.00am–12.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A bracelet with seed pearls and charms with a gold clasp on a white background.

Teens’ bling jewellery workshop – Make a one-of-a-kind bracelet with Village Beads

Let your rangatahi (young people) get creative making their own special jewellery these school holidays!

Mon 14 Apr 2025, 11.00am–12.00

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

Wearable art for teens – Make your own baroque brooch with Fifi Colston

Transform everyday recyclables into a stunning baroque-inspired brooch in this creative, hands-on workshop!

Tue 15 Apr 2025, 11.00am–12.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A man with his hair tied back and wearing a bright pink suit is sitting in front of an orchestra. There are kids sitting on the floor looking at them.

Storytime for kids with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

A magical mix of music and storytelling, brought to life by the NZSO these school holidays!

Wed 16 Apr 2025, 10.30–11.15am

Wed 16 Apr 2025, 12.30–1.30pm

Thu 17 Apr 2025, 10.30–11.15am

Thu 17 Apr 2025, 12.30–1.15pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A penguin puppet and a snowman puppet are sitting on white cloth which is imitating snow.

Pinguino and the Snowman – a puppet show about climate change

Presented by String Bean Puppets, celebrate Earth Day with a heartwarming puppet show for tamariki (children).

Tue 22 Apr 2025, 10.30–11.00am

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

Close-up of the lower halves of two people wearing edgy outfits, one in ripped pants, the other in a pink tulle dress, both in chunky boots.

Closing party: A luxe rebellion

Step into the world of fashion’s most fearless provocateur at the closing party for Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery.

Thu 24 Apr 2025, 7.00pm–11.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A tray of green boxes with shells of different sizes in each compartment

City Nature Challenge: Shell Identification, Crafts, and Displays

Join the City Nature Challenge with Te Papa and the Wellington Shell Club.

Sat 26 Apr 2025, 10.00–6.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A smiling man is holding four children's books in a fan and smiling at the camera.

Deano Yipadee: “Toot the Tow Truck!” show and book signing

Nee-Naw the Little Fire Engine has a new friend – Toot! Sing along with Deano and join the fun!

Sat 26 Apr 2025, 10.30–11.15am

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A photo taken at dusk showing a lit-up building on a hill on a farm.

The Resene Architecture and Design Film Festival

RADFF, the Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival returns to Wellington and, for the first time, some films are showing at Te Papa on 24 and 25 May. Prepare to immerse yourself in an inspiring new collection of architecture and design documentaries sourced from across the globe.

Two young children holding melting ice creams and with ice cream all over their mouths are standing on the side of the road next to a pier.

RADFF 25: I am Martin Parr

Since the 1970s, English photographer Martin Parr has held up a sometimes tender, sometimes critical and always mischievous mirror to our times, forcing us to take a hard look at how consumer society has shaped our lives.

I am Martin Parr is part of the Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival.

Sat 24 May 2025, 11.00am–12.15pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A moder boxy building with two trees in front of it is on a seaside cliff.

RADFF 25: ‘Eileen Gray and the House by the sea’ and ‘Her Blueprint, Aotearoa’

Eileen Gray’s villa, E.1027, on the Côte d’Azur is considered a milestone in architectural history.

Eileen Gray and the house by the Sea and Her Blueprint, Aotearoa are part of the Wellington Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival.

Sat 24 May 2025, 2.00–3.50pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A man is walking away from the camera in a large room with a lot of taxidermied animals and animal skins

RADFF 25: Dale Franke: Nobody’s Sweetie

A charming portrait of Dale Frank, Australia’s foremost contemporary and conceptual artist, eight weeks out from his 40th exhibition at Sydney’s Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery.

Dale Franke: Nobody’s Sweetie is part of the Wellington Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival.

Sun 25 May 2025, 11.00am–12.20pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

RADFF 25: Special screening – ‘The Chodge’, followed by ADNZ Q&A

A documentary about the design and building of a unique private holiday home in New Zealand.

The Chodge is part of the Wellington Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival.

Sun 25 May 2025, 2.00–3.30pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake