The tail of a whale as it dives into the ocean

Whales, dolphins, and sharks

Researching, caring for, photographing, and displaying the whales, dolphins, and sharks of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Hector’s (and Māui) dolphins

The world’s tiniest marine dolphin lives here in Aotearoa NZ.

Bottlenose dolphin

Offshore bottlenose dolphins often hang out in groups with false killer whales.

Marine mammals on Collections Online

There are over 2000 marine mammal specimens in Te Papa's collection. They consist of skeletal material (articulated and non-articulated), preserved animals or parts thereof, skins, casts and mounts of individual animals.

A spiral carving with holes every four notches. There is a ahead at the end of the spiral with red beads for eyes.

Developing a minimally invasive species identification protocol for taonga tūturu

This project will create a minimally invasive sampling technique to identify the animals used in manufacturing taonga tūturu, precious objects created by Māori artisans. This will substantially enhance the capabilities of the museum and heritage sector to find and engage meaningfully with the custodians of these taonga.

People surrounding a stranded pilot whale on a red tarpaulin

Why do pilot whales sometimes crash-land ashore?

What are pilot whales? And why do so many of them meet their doom ashore?

Mangō: Sharks and Rays of Aotearoa

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

Gloved hand pointing at a table of whale bones

Caring for our whale bones

Lots of us care about saving the whales, but not many get as hands-on as technician Stephanie Ho. She’s spent the last nine months caring for whale bones in Te Papa’s collections. It’s a messy, smelly and painstaking job, but it’s protecting these important specimens for the future.

Whale tooth graffiti – personalised Fijian tabua

Tabua (pronounced “tambua” – the b has a ‘mb’ sound) are pierced and braided whales’ teeth, originally taken from the lower jaw of sperm whales. Fijians consider them to be kavakaturanga (chiefly items) presented at important ceremonies, including weddings, births, and funerals. Tabua used to be the most effective way to give weight to an apology or atonement.

Diversity and evolution of New Zealand’s marine mammals

Studying fossils and living marine mammals to elucidate their diversity and evolution through deep time.

Photography of a ghost shark under water

Ghost shark in volcano caught on camera

While collecting hard-rock core samples from Brothers volcano in the Kermadec Arc, a ghost shark never before seen in this area, was caught on camera 1,200 metres under the surface.

1874 photo of ten men, including Colonial Museum personnel, assembled around the skeleton of a pygmy right whale

Podcasts about whales: Attitudes, research, first encounters

Get up close and personal with, and learn about cultural attitudes towards, the whale.

Shark bait

Throughout the 20th century, fishermen would use baits and the tu'i ipu to attract the attention of sharks and lure them to their canoes.

The largest shark that ever lived – Megalodon (The Meg) in New Zealand

Curator of Vetebrates Alan Tennyson looks at what we know about the monster that grew to 18 metres and lived in New Zealand's waters - the megalodon 'big tooth' shark (Carcharocles megalodon).

Reassembling bones: How to build a Hector’s dolphin

Navigating brittle bones and teeth the size of rice, Thomas Schultz, Collection Manager Science, reflects on putting a Hector’s dolphin back together for an exhibition that would tour North America for ten years.

Whales and Dolphins of Aotearoa New Zealand

For centuries whales and dolphins have captured our imaginations. We have revered and mythologised them, hunted them to the brink of extinction and passionately protected them. But how much do we really know?

Great white shark new arrival at Te Papa

Our fish team picked up a great white shark, an endangered animal and a protected species. The shark had been ensnared in a fishing net and was dead by the time the fishermen had pulled it in, but the team were able to give the specimen a wash and have a closer look.