Mānawatia a Matariki
Celebrate Matariki – the beginning of the New Year in Aotearoa New Zealand, marked by the rising of the Matariki star cluster.
Open now
23 Apr - 19 Jul 2026
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
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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Toi Art Saturdays: Sit and Sketch
Discover something new in Toi Art each month – talks, performances, and activities inspired by the exhibitions on show.
Sat 6 Jun 2026, 10.00am–1.00pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Tectonic Trail
Join Te Papa and The Natural Hazard Commission | Toka Tū Ake to learn about risk preparation from experts at the forefront of natural hazard research in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Sat 13 Jun 2026, 10am to 1pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Curator Talk: In Bloom with Dr Victoria Munn
Join Dr Victoria Munn for a kōrero (talk) in the new exhibition In Bloom in Toi Art.
Sun 14 Jun 2026, 11am to 12pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Matariki 2026 at Te Papa
Ko Matariki Herenga Waka te kaupapa whakanui o tēnei tau, ka toroa te kauae runga tuku iho tērā e kawe ana e ngā waka, mō ngā whakaterenga tumu herenga tāngata.
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Matariki Herenga Waka, the theme of this year’s celebrations, acknowledges the stories, traditions, and mātauranga (knowledge) carried by waka (canoes), and the voyages that bring people together.
Matariki Tamariki Time
A free, interactive drop-in session for tamariki aged 5 and under. This month learn about Matariki and waka navigation.
Fri 19 Jun 2026, 10am to 12pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Book Launch: Between Dreams
Book Launch: Between Dreams. Te Papa curator and editor of Between Dreams Grace Gassin will be joined by contributors Serena Lal, Keith Ng and Sapna Samant for this special panel event celebrating the launch of the book at Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library.
Tue 23 Jun 2026, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Wānanga Matariki: Matariki Herenga Waka
Ka wānanga ngā kaumoana o Ngahiraka-Mai-Tawhiti mō te whakatere waka – te nehe, te nāianei, me te anamata.
He reo Māori te nuinga o ngā kōrero, me ētahi reo Ingarihi.
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The Ngahiraka-Mai-Tawhiti crew kōrero (talk) about waka (canoe) voyaging – past, present, and future.This kōrero will be mainly in te reo Māori with some English.
Wed 24 Jun 2026, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Scott’s Discovery Hut VR Experience
Antarctic Heritage Trust and Te Papa invites you to explore Antarctica and visit Scott's Discovery Hut through our latest virtual reality experience.
6 - 17 Jul 2026, Every half hour from 10.00am to 4.00pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Matariki After Dark: Leading from the front
An adults-only celebration of the stories, traditions, and mātauranga (knowledge) shared between Aotearoa New Zealand and Te Moananui-a-Kiwa, the wider Pacific.
Thu 2 Jul 2026, 7.30pm to 11pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
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 6 July
Writers on Mondays: Lucky Creatures and Childish Palates – Joseph Trinidad and Shariff Burke
Two vibrant writers discuss their debut collections of stories and essays that explore Wellington city and belonging through food, memory, love, and quiet revolutions.
Mon 6 Jul 2026, 12.15 to 1.15
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Matariki Whānau Day: Unity, we’re all in the same boat
Come together to celebrate Matariki with free whānau-friendly activities, workshops, and activities.
Fri 10 Jul 2026, 10am to 2pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Writers on Mondays: The Aliveness of Things – Haro Lee, Helen Rickerby, and Arini Beautrais
Three innovative poets discuss their new collections, which look at the past, the self, and uneasy times.
Mon 13 Jul 2026, 12.15 to 1.15
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Eat Your Art Out
A high tea to delight your eyes and taste buds.
Daily sessions at 10:30am, 11am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2pm, and 2:30pm.
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Writers on Mondays: Night, Ma – Elizabeth Knox
One of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most acclaimed writers, Elizabeth Knox, discusses her incredible memoir of a calamitous time.
Mon 20 Jul 2026, 12.15 to 1.15
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
BOHM Presents: Eddie Izzard performs Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Hamlet
The King of Denmark is dead, and Prince Hamlet is determined to take revenge, initiating a cascade of events that will destroy both family and state. Eddie Izzard will be portraying men, women, ghosts, scholars, tyrants, courtiers, lovers, and fools.
Tue 21 Jul 2026, 7pm
Wed 22 Jul 2026, 7pm
Thu 23 Jul 2026, 7.30pm
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Lucky Dip Art Talks
Zoom in on the artworks and stories in Toi Art, with a 15-minute tour guided by Te Papa’s knowledgeable hosts.
Wednesdays and Sundays, 11 to 11.15am
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Writers on Mondays: Small Maps of the Heart – Ingrid Horrocks and Lawrence Patchett
Two of Aotearoa New Zealand’s top short fiction writers, Lawrence Patchett and 2026 Acorn Award-winning Ingrid Horrocks, discuss the art of the short story.
Mon 27 Jul 2026, 12.15 to 1.15
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Writers on Mondays: Poetry – What's it for? Tusiata Avia
Acclaimed poet Tusiata Avia asks: what poetry is for, who it is for, and how to make it accessible to more of us?
Mon 3 Aug 2026
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Writers on Mondays: Sacrifice and Rebellion – Claire Mabey and Rachael King
Two novelists discuss their newest books for young readers, and how fiction might show us how to challenge tyranny and have courage.
Mon 10 Aug 2026, 12.15 to 1.15
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Writers on Mondays: Who’s that girl? Kate Camp and Noelle McCarthy
Two brilliant writers discuss their funny and visceral memoirs that aren’t afraid to face up to their teenage selves, vampires, and the 1980s.
Mon 17 Aug 2026, 12.15 to 1.15
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Writers on Mondays: Ōrongohau – Best New Zealand Poems 2025
A selection of excellent poets read their work chosen for Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems in a warm-up for National Poetry Day.
Mon 24 Aug 2026, 12.15 to 1.15
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Writers on Mondays: Uncanny Valley – pip adam, Terri Te Tau, and Tim Corbalis
Three brilliant novelists discuss their exciting and inventive new novels, writing the weird present, and possible futures.
Mon 31 Aug 2026, 12.15 to 1.15
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
Writers on Mondays: Year of the Horse – Abby Letteri and Marty Smith
Two writers take the horse as the subject of their memoirs, with very different approaches. They discuss writing, and life with, or alongside, horses.
Mon 7 Sep 2026, 12.15 to 1.15
Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake
