Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand

Te Papa Foundation Gala

Wellington's premier black-tie fundraising evening, the Te Papa Foundation Gala supports exhibitions, collections, conservation, research, and education programmes and Aotearoa New Zealand's national museum.

When | Āhea

Sat 14 Nov 2026, 6.30pm to 11.30pm

Where | Ki hea

Icon and Wellington Foyer, Level 2

Cost | Te utu

$300 per person (tables now sold out)

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible

Thank you for the incredible response to the Te Papa Foundation Gala, the 2026 Gala is now sold out. If you would like to support the Te Papa Foundation in another way, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Rebecca Galloway, Te Papa Foundation Manager, at rebecca.galloway@tepapa.govt.nz

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Join us for an unforgettable evening at Aotearoa New Zealand’s national museum, bringing together friends and supporters of Te Papa for an evening of fine food, entertainment and philanthropy.

Arrive from 6.30pm for welcome drinks, Marlborough Oysters and canapés after which you’ll enjoy an exquisite dinner paired with premium wines from The Wrekin Vineyard, with live entertainment throughout the evening.

Live Auction

Our live fundraising auction is a highlight of the evening, featuring an incredible array of experiences and items. To make for a smooth night, we recommend registering in advance with

View the full lot list

Lot 1. Vineyard tour and wine tasting at The Wrekin Vineyard for four, a magnum of 2020 Red Admiral Reserve Pinot Noir and a 12-month Wrekin Wine Club membership.
Price guide $2,000

Lot 2. Take a hard-hat tour of Te Papa’s Biodiversity Research Centre as it’s being constructed.
Price guide $3,000

Lot 3. Orchestra Wellington 2027 season subscription which includes two tickets to each of Orchestra Wellington’s six concerts plus opening night tickets to New Zealand Opera’s mainscale productions.
Price guide $1,000

Lot 4. Elegant 1.0ct solitaire diamond ring. Kindly donated by Julia Jefferson
Price guide $10,000

Lot 5. Experience a behind-the-scenes tour at Te Papa and encounter rarely seen taonga from the Māori Collection Store.
Price guide $2,500
 

Lot 6. An all-inclusive stay for four at the luxurious Wharekauhau Country Estate.
Price guide $12,800

Lot 7. Host a once-in-a lifetime dinner party for up to 12 people in one of the Te Papa exhibition spaces after hours.
Price guide $7,000

Supporting Te Papa’s Future

Every auction lot has been generously donated by supporters from across Aotearoa New Zealand, and every winning bid helps support the work of the Te Papa Foundation.

As the philanthropic arm of Te Papa, the Te Papa Foundation raises vital private support Te Papa’s programmes, projects and acquisitions, or are invested in the Foundation’s endowment fund to help secure the future of Aotearoa New Zealand’s national museum.

Together, we can ensure Te Papa continues to inspire, educate, and connect people with the rich history, culture, and natural heritage of Aotearoa for generations to come.

Spring Soiree, 2024. Photo by Anaru Church. Te Papa (247954)

Donating to the Te Papa Foundation enables world-leading research, important preservation work on our national collection, and wrap-around programmes to offer people greater access to Te Papa and the millions of taonga we care for.

Gala is supported by

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