Be among the first to experience He Toi Whakairo: The Art of Māori Carving, a landmark exhibition bringing together seven centuries of artistry from Te Papa’s collections.

Featuring 147 taonga spanning the 1300s to today, the exhibition reveals whakairo as both a deeply ancestral practice and a vibrant, continually evolving artform. Visitors will encounter an extraordinary range of forms and materials, offering powerful insight into the skill, innovation, and cultural identity embodied in Māori carving.

Friends’ members are warmly invited to enjoy this exclusive preview before the exhibition opens to the public.

Image credit; Whakapapa by Stevei Houkāmau, 2021. Purchased 2021. Te Papa (ME024669)