All books A–Z

New Zealand's best-loved birds come alive in luminous colour in Buller’s Birds of New Zealand: The Complete Work of JG Keulemans.

This magnificent illustration from the 1900s, entitled Native Birds of New Zealand by William Shaw Diedrich Schmidt, has been lovingly reproduced by Te Papa Press to accompany Buller’s Birds of New Zealand: The Complete Work of JG Keulemans.

A fascinating record of high-end New Zealand fashion and an enigmatic collector. 

A landmark publication that takes another look at craft and its broader cultural role.

A long friendship in art and ideas through letters.

Adorable and sometimes surprising historic images of New Zealand dogs and their owners.

When crinolines, bustles and ostrich feathers were the height of colonial fashion – from ball gowns and riding habits to tea gowns and dresses worn for presentation to Queen Victoria.

Reminiscent of the iconic fish 'n' chip shop poster, this poster from Te Papa Press features a selection of 222 fishes from the landmark 4-volume publication The Fishes of New Zealand.

The magnificent plant world of Aotearoa New Zealand in art and object.

The story of a defining campaign and a monumental exhibition.

An appealing board book that develops Samoan language and cultural knowledge.

A luscious tribute to an early New Zealand botanical artist, by Michele Leggott and Catherine Field-Dodgson.

A landmark book about four remarkable museum expeditions that contributed to a recovery of Māori society

Of all Māori personal adornments, the human figure pendants known as hei tiki are the most famous, highly prized and culturally iconic. This book celebrates the long history of hei tiki and the enduring cultural potency of these taonga.

Join Māui as he shares stories for tamariki based on taonga from the Te Papa collection

The definitive visual guide for anyone wanting to understand, identify and distinguish 201 of the most commonly encountered species of ferns and lycophytes found across Aotearoa. 

Lāuga or Sāmoan oratory is a premier cultural practice in the fa‘asāmoa (Sāmoan culture), a sacred ritual that embodies all that fa‘asāmoa represents, such as identity, inheritance, respect, service, gifting, reciprocity and knowledge.

A superb selection of the work of one of New Zealand’s finest early photographers.

An exciting, beautifully illustrated book set in the world of museum treasures.

Haere mai and welcome to Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum.

This ground-breaking book explores the revolution that’s transformed New Zealand museums in recent decades, and is influencing how museums worldwide care for indigenous objects.

The fascinating lives of Aotearoa New Zealand’s sharks and rays.

An appealing board book that helps young readers learn about bugs

From experiments and observation to conservation and mindfulness, this activity-packed book stimulates curious minds. It encourages children to relate to the natural world and develop budding research skills.

Stunning photographs of remarkable natural history specimens from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

100+ art activities based on the collection of Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum and gallery

A survey of Te Papa’s treasure trove of New Zealand art

The definitive and expert guide to the seaweeds of New Zealand’s coastal waters

A celebration of the revival and mana of Māori ceramic art.

Accessible, informative guide to one of Te Papa’s most popular permanent art exhibitions

Encountering 1,000 years of life in Palliser Bay

An illustrated history of protest and activism in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ideal for both the library and home, this engrossing book helps young readers discover what makes our rākau so special and worthy of our care.

A definitive illustrated history of the graphic work of the railways studios.

Revised edition of the award-winning biography of one of New Zealand's most famous women artists.

Major survey of the 50-year career of one of New Zealand’s best-loved artists, Robin White.

Discover a millennium of exploration, encounter, and cultural exchange in this beautifully illustrated history of Pacific peoples in New Zealand.

The story of Sāmoan tattoo art and the work of Su‘a Sulu‘ape Paulo II.

A beautifully designed and richly illustrated retelling of the unique and powerful history of Sāmoan tattooing, from 3,000 years ago to modern practices.

Accessible, important guide to the taonga relating to the New Zealand wars held by Te Papa.

One hundred of the best-loved works in the national art collection at Te Papa

A fun, fascinating and revealing book about the strange and wonderful critters of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Fun activities about Te Papa Tongarewa and the taonga (treasures) we hold.

A handy introduction to the unique birdlife of Aotearoa New Zealand, for the backyard, bach, and backpack.

A handy introduction to the unique insects of Aotearoa New Zealand, for the backyard, bach and backpack.

A handy introduction to the unique flora of Aotearoa New Zealand, for the backyard, bach, and backpack.

A handy introduction to the unique shells of Aotearoa New Zealand, for the backyard, bach and backpack.

Beautiful, collectible, and very cool New Zealand art books for very young readers

Shining the light on New Zealand’s women photographers.

The words and symbols we’ve worn. This small book with a big heart delves into Te Papa’s collections of over 1600 badges to examine how New Zealanders have used badges to join, belong, resist, defy and celebrate.

A treasure trove of design.

A celebration of the science and art of Māori weaving, focused on the largest collection of Māori cloaks in the world.

Discover the fascinating story of the colossal squid at Te Papa

A fun, fascinating and revealing book about Aotearoa’s amazing eight-legged marvels

What to see where, when, and how in the Wellington region.