Early September Newsletter

Greetings Friends,

World Day of Friends of Museums on 11 October will be a full‑day celebration of community, creativity, and connection at Te Papa, an open invitation for Friends members, supporters, and curious visitors to come together and enjoy a warm, engaging programme that highlights the passion we share for our national museum. As part of the global initiative led by the World Federation of Friends of Museums, this inaugural international day celebrates more than two million museum enthusiasts worldwide under the theme “Your museums, our passion!”, a perfect reflection of the spirit that drives the Friends of Te Papa.

Throughout the day, our committee members and volunteers will host a welcoming table in the Te Papa foyer, offering a friendly space to meet people, ask questions, reconnect with familiar faces, and explore Friends membership. Whether you’re already part of our community or simply curious, you’ll be greeted with warmth and enthusiasm.

One of the highlights of the celebration is our Back‑of‑House: Hidden Corners of the Museum tours, an exclusive opportunity for Friends members to explore the unseen engine rooms that keep Te Papa running. Guided by Pete Cunninghame, who knows the building better than anyone, these one‑hour tours offer a rare behind‑the‑scenes experience. With only ten places available per session, and tours running at 11am, 12.30pm, and 2pm, early registration is essential. Members aged 16+ can secure a spot by emailing the office with their details and preferred time. These tours are always popular, and this special day is the perfect moment to take part.

Creativity will also be on full display with our Photographer in the Museum competition. Open to all ages, this competition invites visitors to explore Te Papa’s public spaces and capture a favourite object or place in a printed photograph no larger than A4. With four age categories; 3–10, 11–15, 16–19, and Open 20+, and up to three entries allowed per person, the competition encourages curiosity, close looking, and personal connection to the museum. Entry forms are available at the Information Hub on Level 2, and photographs can be submitted by post by Monday 5 October. Category winners will be announced on the day, adding excitement and celebration to the afternoon. 

To make the day even more special, anyone who joins the Friends on 11 October will go into the draw for a Te Papa Press book giveaway, a lovely way to welcome new members into our community.

This day‑long celebration is designed to bring people together, spark conversations, and honour the vital role Friends groups play in supporting museums worldwide. It’s a chance to celebrate Te Papa, celebrate each other, and enjoy a programme filled with discovery, creativity, and connection. We warmly encourage everyone to come along, join in, and be part of this international moment of museum appreciation. Read more here

Professor James Belich Saturday 24 October Soundings Theatre

The Wellington Heritage Festival is one of the city’s most cherished annual celebrations, an opportunity for communities, cultural organisations, and storytellers to come together and honour the people, places, and histories that shape Te Whanganui‑a‑Tara. The festival encourages Wellingtonians to explore their heritage through talks, tours, exhibitions, and shared experiences, strengthening our connection to the past while inspiring pride in the present. As Friends of Te Papa, we are proud to contribute to this city‑wide celebration of culture, identity, and community.

This year, we are especially privileged to host Professor James Belich, one of Aotearoa’s most distinguished historians. His career spans Oxford University, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Auckland, and his award‑winning books and documentary work have transformed public understanding of the New Zealand Wars, global settler histories, and the far‑reaching impact of the Black Death. As President of the New Zealand Historical Association and a board member of Te Papa, Professor Belich brings unparalleled insight into how museums record, interpret, and communicate the past.

His talk offers a rare opportunity to hear from a scholar whose work has shaped national conversations about history and identity. We warmly invite members and visitors to join us for this special Heritage Festival event and deepen their appreciation of Te Papa’s role in telling the stories of Aotearoa. More here

This spring, the Friends of Te Papa are delighted to present a vibrant programme of talks and experiences that celebrate creativity, storytelling, and the many ways art and culture help us see our world more deeply. We begin with an intimate conversation with Karin Montgomery, an artist whose practice weaves together ecology, history, craft, and close attention to place. Her work moves between the quiet life of her garden and the global journeys of plants, inviting us into a thoughtful world shaped by materials, research, and care. Theatre lovers can continue this creative energy with a behind‑the‑scenes talk from Andrew Foster, director of Uncle Vanya, who will share his process and intentions in bringing Chekhov’s classic to life at Circa Theatre. Attendees are welcome to head straight to the performance afterwards, and those showing their Friends booking confirmation will enjoy a complimentary drink before the show. Later in the month, Dr Chris McKeown leads an exploration of how artists create invitations to notice, shaped by presence, attention, and the desire to connect. Drawing on photography, neuroscience, and lived creative practice, he reflects on how art becomes a meeting place between maker and viewer, supporting wellbeing and spiritual growth through careful looking and shared experience.

For those inspired by this season of art, history, and thoughtful engagement, we also invite you to consider a journey that explores heritage on a global scale. Our ANZAC Day Turkey Tour 2027 offers an unforgettable opportunity to stand on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April, tracing stories of courage, loss, and shared history in the very landscape where they unfolded. It is a rare chance to travel with expert guides, connect with fellow Friends members, and experience a powerful blend of remembrance, culture, and discovery.

As we look ahead to World Day of Friends of Museums on 11 October, we want to thank all our members for being part of a community that celebrates curiosity, connection, and the shared joy of learning. Te Papa sits at the centre of everything we do, an astonishing museum whose architecture, collections, and exhibitions illuminate the heritage, landscapes, wildlife, and art of Aotearoa. Your support helps us champion this remarkable place and the stories it holds, ensuring they continue to inspire visitors of all ages. We warmly invite you to join us at Te Papa on 11 October as we come together to celebrate our community, our museum, and the passion that connects us all.

Kindest regards,

Rachael Brenton-Rule - Coordinator

friends@tepapa.govt.nz

(04) 381 7051/ 021 488 787

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