Late August Newsletter
Fakaalofa lahi atu,
Thank you everyone for your patience over the past few months, our brand‑new website is officially live, and we’re delighted to share this milestone with you.
With its fresh, modern look and beautifully streamlined navigation, we believe you’ll find it a joy to use. Tickets can be booked online with ease. Our upgraded online membership system is now fully functional, making it easier than ever to join or renew your membership and update your details whenever things change. We think you’ll love the experience, and as always, if you have any questions or run into a hiccup, you’re welcome to contact the office. Visit our website here
A new chapter begins for the Friends, but some things remain delightfully unchanged, our exciting programme of events. Now, let’s explore what’s coming up, and we’re sure you’ll find something to inspire you.
Beyond the Aperture: The Art of Paying Attention Saturday, 26 September
Building on his popular 2025 talk Widening the Aperture, Dr Chris McKeown returns to explore a new question at the intersection of art, wellbeing, science, and nature:
What is an artist really hoping to transfer to the viewer of their work?
Drawing on photography, neuroscience, and lived creative practice, this talk introduces a new project in formation exploring contemplative creative arts. These are moments where artists create not just objects, but invitations to notice, shaped by attention, care, and presence.
Through stories from photography, conversations with creatives, and portraiture and documentary work, Chris reflects on how art can become a meeting place between maker and viewer, and how creativity, when approached with stillness and intention, can support wellbeing and spiritual growth for both.
Weaving together insights from art, science, contemplative creativity, and nature, this talk considers how slowing down, noticing, and creating space may allow something meaningful to be transferred, not just seen. More here
Peggy Guggenheim: For the Love of Collecting Sunday, August 23
Happening this weekend, there is still time to book and seats available. In association with the Arts Society, join distinguished arts educator Charlie Hall for an illuminating journey through the extraordinary life of Peggy Guggenheim. With decades of experience lecturing for Christie’s Education, The Serpentine Gallery, Kirker Holidays, and Soho House, Charlie brings a rare blend of scholarship, storytelling, and on‑the‑ground insight. Guggenheim’s bold collecting shaped the course of Modern art, from her pioneering London gallery to her escape to New York with a circle of avant‑garde artists. The lecture traces Guggenheim’s path to Venice, where her eccentric unfinished palazzo became one of the world’s most iconic collections of twentieth‑century art.
He Toi Whakairo — Member Preview Friday, August 28
Be among the first to experience He Toi Whakairo, a major new exhibition showcasing seven centuries of Māori carving. With 147 taonga from the 1300s to today, it highlights whakairo as both an ancestral tradition and a continually evolving artform. This member‑exclusive preview offers a rare early look at an exhibition that will run for five years, a powerful celebration of innovation, skill, and cultural continuity.
September
For the Love of Letterpress Thursday, September 3
Join Sydney Shep for a behind‑the‑scenes visit to Wai-te-ata Press, perfect for anyone fascinated by printing history and machinery. Explore remarkable letterpress technologies, historic presses, and the only working collection of Chinese full‑form heritage type in the southern hemisphere. With Sydney’s expertise and passion, this richly textured tour offers a rare chance to meet an artisan devoted to the craft. We only have a few places remaining for this unique talk so get in quick.
Nancy Adams: Talk and Back-of-House Tour Wednesday, September 9
Join Te Papa curators for a member-exclusive intimate floor talk and behind‑the‑scenes visit exploring the remarkable botanical legacy of Nancy Adams, one of Aotearoa’s most influential botanists and illustrators. Begin at the vibrant Nancy Adams: The Art of Seaweed display, where her artworks, specimens, and research come to life through expert insight. Then head back of house to the herbarium to view Adams’ original collections and discover how her lifelong study of native flora continues to shape our understanding of New Zealand’s botanical heritage. Please note that the 1pm session is now fully booked but there are still places on the 2.30pm session.
Mahara Gallery Tour Tuesday, September 15
Join the Friends for a relaxed and inspiring afternoon at Toi MAHARA on a specially organised self‑drive guided tour. It’s the perfect chance to bring a friend, enjoy lunch on the Kāpiti Coast, and experience the gallery as a community. Toi MAHARA is a vibrant creative hub, home to four dynamic exhibition spaces celebrating local artistry, toi Māori, historical taonga, and nationally significant work. Highlights include The Expatriates: Frances Hodgkins, Peter Campbell and Graham Percy, offering a vivid snapshot of art currently on display and behind the scenes. Please email me at friends@tepapa.govt.nz to register your attendance and payment will be on arrival at the gallery.
Karin Montgomery: A Garden for Nicola Azzariti Wednesday, September 16
Join us for a special conversation with artist Karin Montgomery, whose extraordinary works draw together ecology, history, craft, and close attention to place. This talk offers a rare chance to hear directly from Montgomery about the ideas, materials, and research that shape her practice, from the quiet life of her garden to the global journeys of plants, and from textile histories to contemporary commissions. There are only a few places left for this opportunity to meet the artist so please book early.
October
A Picture in 1000 Words Tuesday, 20 October
Join Te Papa audio describer Judith Jones, and curators from the art team, to learn about the creation of audio descriptions of art collections. Judith has been involved in training audio describers around the country and brings a wealth of knowledge to her craft. Using words to bring an artwork to life, audio description supports meaningful experience for blind and low vision visitors. It can also help us all look more closely and more deeply. We’ll start by talking about what audio description is and how it’s developed, before taking visitors up to Toi Art to experience newly written descriptions of artworks on display.
We are proud to be working in association with the Wellington Heritage Festival to bring you an exciting speaker for Saturday 24 October, Labour Weekend. Keep an eye on the festival website for an early announcement and do mark your calendars. International Friends of Museums Day, Sunday 11 October is another special day we’ll be sharing more about soon. So please pencil in these dates, October is shaping up to be a very exciting month for the Friends. The full announcements will be revealed in our next newsletter, we do enjoy keeping a good secret.
Innovative Travel, long-time sponsor of Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War at Te Papa, is offering a special Friends of Te Papa journey shaped by over 36 years of expertise in Türkiye. This exclusive tour includes attendance at the Anzac commemorations on 25 April 2027. Travellers will experience attentive 24/7 support from the local Turkish team, ensuring comfort and peace of mind throughout the journey. The programme features extended time on the Gallipoli Peninsula with a specialist guide, visiting significant sites such as Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine Cemetery, Hill 60, Johnston’s Jolly, Helles Memorial, and Lancashire Landing. A memorable highlight is viewing the Gallipoli campaign from both land and by boat on the Dardanelles. Beyond Gallipoli, the tour explores Türkiye’s ancient wonders — from Istanbul and Ephesus to Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Pergamum, and legendary Troy — offering a deeply enriching experience of history, landscape, and shared heritage. More here
Innovative Travel will be hosting a presentation on and a Q&A At The Wellington Club, Morrison Room on August 25th. Please email me at friends@tepapa.govt.nz to register your attendance. Arrive from 5 to 5.30pm, presentation to start at 5.30pm. Innovative Travel will provide tea/coffee/juice and some light canapes. After there will be a cash bar. Restricted to 30 people so please register and come early.
As we celebrate the launch of our new website and the ease it brings to booking and membership, we hope this vibrant programme of events offers the same sense of discovery and delight. Thank you for journeying with us, we look forward to welcoming you online and in person as the season unfolds.
‘Ofa atu
Rachael Brenton-Rule - Coordinator
friends@tepapa.govt.nz
(04) 381 7051/ 021 488 787
Celebrating 2026 Pacific Language Weeks with salutations from Lea faka-Tonga.
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Image credit: Aoraki. Provided and reproduced with permission by Chris McKeown