A night where Friends of Te Papa get the whole museum to themselves. Go behind-the-scenes, hear from our experts, listen to live music, shop, eat and drink, and experience the museum like no-one else.
If you’re not a member and want to attend sign up to be a Friend of Te Papa today.
All areas of the museum will be open for you to explore including:
Portrait wall in Tūrangawaewae: Art and New Zealand, 2018. Te Papa (103741)
- Te Taiao | Nature
- Toi Art
- Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow
- Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War
- Espresso café – grab some nibbles and drinks at a special discount
- The stores – open for you to use your Friends discount and to try samples from local artisans
- and the mezzanine library – usually only open by appointment.
You’ll receive a free welcome drink on arrival, there’ll be live music throughout the evening and you’ll have the chance to contribute to the future of the museum.
Short talks
Free with entry. No bookings necessary.
| 6.45–7pm
Store, Level 1 |
Publishing books in a museum context
– Te Papa Press Editor Nicola Legat |
Te Papa Press |
| 7.05–7.20pm
Te Papa Hui, Level 2 |
Secrets of Kohanga | Nest
– Curator Vertebrates Colin Miskelly |
Science |
| 7.25–7.40pm
Toi Art, Level 5 |
The works of Janet Lilo & Tiffany Singh
– Curator Contemporary Art Nina Tonga |
Art |
| 7.45–8pm
Reading Room, Level 4 |
Co-collecting in Pacific communities
– Senior Curator Pacific Histories & Cultures Sean Mallon |
Pacific |
| 8.05–8.20pm
Reading Room, Level 4 |
Representing LGBTQI+ communities in museum collections
–History Curators Katie Cooper and Claire Regnault |
History |
| 8.25–8.40pm
Reading Room, Level 4 |
Redeveloping our Māori exhibitions
– Head of Mātauranga Māori Puawai Cairns |
Māori |
| 8.45–9pm
Reading Room, Level 4 |
Through the lens of our rare books
From Cook to creatures, teeth marks to marbling
– Librarian Martin Lewis |
Library |
| All evening
Hīnātore, Level 4 |
A sneak-peek into Te Papa’s learning lab, Hīnātore
Ever tried virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR)? Here’s your chance! |
Technology |
Rare book tour collection tour, 2015. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa (25412)
Paid behind-the-scenes tours
$10–$20 tours, must be booked online here, bookings will not be available on the night.
| Making eagles and moas
30 minutes – $10 |
Model Maker Jake Yocum describes the process of recreating models of the extinct Haast’s eagle and moa. |
Book the 6.50pm tour
Book the 7.30pm tour |
| Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War
30 minutes – $10 |
History curator Stephanie Gibson highlights some of her favourite objects in the exhibition. |
Book the 6.50pm tour
Book the 7.30pm tour |
| How we digitise our collection objects
30 minutes – $10 |
Go behind the scenes into our imaging lab with Imaging Manager Michael O’Neill. See how our taonga are photographed, 3D scanned, and digitised for Collections Online. |
Book the 6.50pm tour
Book the 7.30pm tour |
| Into our art store
60 minutes – $20 |
Unearth Friends of Te Papa contributions to the museum’s vast and vibrant art collection with Curators Rebecca Rice and Justine Olsen. |
Book the 7pm tour
Book the 8pm tour |
| How to display precious taonga
30 minutes – $10 |
Conservator Robert Clendon shares the various methods and expertise that was involved in displaying the specimens in Te Taiao | Nature – including the colossal squid! |
Book the 6.50pm tour
Book the 7.30pm tour |
| The art of painting and textile conservation
30 minutes – $10 |
Discover the technologies used by conservators to care for our precious collections with Textiles Conservator Anne Peranteau and Paintings Conservator Linda Waters. |
Book the 6.50pm tour
Book the 7.30pm tour |
Behind the Scenes in the Art Store, 2017, Te Papa
Scanning the Moa egg, 2019, Te Papa
Entry
This evening is free and exclusive for Friends members.
Please RSVP below and bring your membership number on arrival.
The evening is free for Friends members and you can bring along non-members for $20 – they will need to provide your membership number and need to RSVP.
Arrive whenever you like from 6.30pm and enjoy a welcome drink on arrival in the Wellington Foyer.
Not a member?
If you’re not a member and want to attend, please join Friends of Te Papa.
The individual membership price is $40 (non-Wellington based) or $50 (Wellington based) per year.
We’d love you to join and support Our Place.
Trying out new technology in Hīnātore, 2018. Photo by Kate Whitley. Te Papa (113791)
Tickets are not available as this event has passed.