2017 media releases

Te Papa mourns passing of founding Chief Executive Cheryll Sotheran

Sun 31 Dec 2017

Te Papa today heard of the passing yesterday (30 December) of our founding Chief Executive, Dame Cheryll Sotheran.

Te Papa unveils plans for exciting new nature zone

Sat 23 Dec 2017

Te Papa is building an exciting new nature and environment zone, opening in the museum early 2019.

Was this the world’s biggest penguin?

13 December 2017 – It’s not every day you get to name a giant prehistoric penguin after your mother. But that was the rare privilege enjoyed by Te Papa curator Alan Tennyson, as reported today in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications.

Te Papa’s Mahuki teams showcase technology innovations for the culture sector

17 November 2017 – Last night, eight entrepreneurial teams from Te Papa’s Mahuki technology incubator unveiled business propositions which provide digital solutions to challenges faced by cultural organisations worldwide. Several of the innovations have already been picked up and are being used by local organisations, including Te Papa.

New Zealand Wars mini exhibition to open at Te Papa for the inaugural commemorative day

24 October 2017 – Te Papa marks the first national day of commemoration of the New Zealand Wars, Rā Maumahara, with a new mini exhibition.

Pacific Sisters, Lisa Walker, Tiffany Singh feature in Te Papa’s new art gallery – opens March 2018

12 October 2017 – Fierce Pacific fashion, jewellery made out of skateboards and cellphones, a flood of colour, and a place to stand – Te Papa has unveiled four of the five exhibitions to feature in its new art gallery, Toi Art, opening March 2018.

The wonders of the world in LEGO bricks at Te Papa

2 October 2017 – Let’s Go Build, a festival of LEGO activities for all ages, opens at Te Papa from 9 December–11 February.

Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata’s exhibition opened today at Te Papa with 600 strong pōwhiri

29 September 2017 – Te Papa’s eighth iwi exhibition, Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow opened today following an early morning karakia (blessing), and a pōwhiri (ceremony) which attracted over 600 guests from all over New Zealand.

Te Papa Tongarewa named in top 25 museums in the world

22 September 2017 – The national museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, has been named one of the top 25 museums in the world according to TripAdvisor.

Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata’s exhibition opens at Te Papa end of September

18 September 2017 – The major new exhibition Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow, which showcases the dramatic stories, histories, treasured taonga and the exceptional artistry of the Gisborne iwi, will open at Te Papa on Friday 29 September.

Nine culture innovators begin residency at Te Papa’s Mahuki

27 July 2017 – Mahuki, Te Papa’s innovation hub has opened its doors to nine entrepreneurial teams for its 2017 programme.

Classic Fred Dagg costume on display at Te Papa

26 July 2017 – The iconic hat, shearer’s singlet, shorts and gumboots of Fred Dagg will be on display at Te Papa from July 26.

New giant ocean sunfish species discovered

20 July 2017 – A new species of ocean sunfish has been discovered and formally described by an international team of researchers.

Te Papa mourns the loss of Cliff Whiting

17 July 2017 – Te Papa staff are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Cliff Whiting, who was instrumental in establishing Te Papa as Aotearoa New Zealand’s national museum.

Matariki Rising celebrations attract thousands

30 June 2017 – Thousands turned out to celebrate Matariki Rising, a festival that celebrates Matariki, the Māori New Year.

Te Papa’s Mahuki secures major Callaghan Innovation funding

27 June 2017 – Significant funding has been awarded to Te Papa’s innovation hub, Mahuki, by Callaghan Innovation.

Melbourne Museum welcomes Te Papa’s blockbuster exhibition Bug Lab

26 June 2017 – Melbourne Museum is feeling the buzz as it opens the doors to Te Papa exhibition Bug Lab – the blockbuster science exhibition created by Te Papa and Weta Workshop.

Choose your learning adventure at Te Papa in the July school holidays

26 June 2017 – Te Papa’s new innovative learning lab, Hīnātore, is hosting a school holiday learning programme during the July holidays that will see kids creating their own claymation movies, inventing a new musical instrument, building worlds in virtual reality, and developing a game from scratch.

Kiwi learners to explore New Zealand artwork at the Venice Biennale through digital resource

16 June 2017 – Secondary art and social sciences students can explore contemporary New Zealand Māori artist Lisa Reihana’s work through a new digital learning resource.

Scientific study uses revolutionary logger fitted on albatrosses to detect interactions with fishing vessels in the southern ocean

16 June 2017 – The findings of the recently published Use of radar detectors to track attendance of albatrosses at fishing vessels offers scientists a new way of looking at fisheries risk to seabirds.

Rongowhakaata welcomed as Te Papa iwi in residence

12 June 2017 – Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata was welcomed onto Rongomaraeroa marae yesterday.

Te Papa Press’ The Genius of Bugs nominated for New Zealand book award

7 June 2017 – Children’s book author and spider expert Simon Pollard has been nominated in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Construction starts on new gallery at Te Papa

2 June 2017 – How do you build an art gallery inside a museum that’s still open to the public?

Celebrate the spirit of the black jersey at Te Papa

30 May 2017 – New Zealand’s unparalleled legacy of success on the rugby field is being explored in a new exhibition at Te Papa opening on June 2.

Moriori and Māori ancestors offered dignity and respect

29 May 2017 – Today the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa will hold a pōwhiri to mark the return home of 59 Māori and Moriori ancestral remains from the United Kingdom and Europe.

Sacred remains return from England

22 May 2017 – Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester, and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are pleased to announce that the repatriation of a Moriori jawbone will take place today.

Te Papa pounamu exhibition opens in the heart of Paris

19 May 2017 – An exhibition of more than 200 pounamu treasures opens in Paris on May 22nd showcasing some precious pieces of Aotearoa in the heart of the French capital.

Te Pahi medal on display at Te Papa

19 May, 2017 – The Te Pahi medal, given to the Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Awa chief, Te Pahi, by the Governor of New South Wales, Phillip Gidley King, is on display at Te Papa.

Help New Zealand share its sporting history with the world

18 May 2017 – Te Papa’s innovation hub Mahuki is calling for entrepreneurs to help cultural institutions in New Zealand and around the globe tell their stories of sporting identity.

Moriori and Māori remains return from Germany

18 May 2017 – The Ubersee Museum Bremen Germany and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are pleased 44 Moriori and Māori ancestral remains are returning to Aotearoa New Zealand with the support of the City of Bremen.