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Collections & Research

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Collections online

Collections Online is a searchable database of objects from Te Papa’s collection. Each record includes information as well as an image, when available. You can zoom in on many of the images.
Updating these records is a continual process, and more are released each month. more>


Search our objects and specimens

    Advanced search
Cultural history
Natural environment
 

> More information and search help about Collections Online


Collections and research areas

Find out about research and collection management underway at Te Papa produced by our staff.

Taonga MaoriTaonga Māori

> General information

Taonga from our collections
> Taonga Māori

 

Art & Visual CultureArt & Visual culture

> General information

Objects from our collections:
> Art
> Photography

Pacific Cultures Pacific Cultures

> General information

Taonga from our collections
> Pacific Cultures

 

HistoryHistory

> General information

Objects from our collections
> Archives
> History
> Photography
> James Hector

Collections areasNatural Environment

> General information
> DNA sampling

Specimens from our collections
> Birds
> Crustacea
> Fossil Vertebrates
> Insects
> Marine Mammals
> Molluscs
> Plants
> Reptiles and Amphibians

Highlights
> Spiders of New Zealand
> The colossal squid
> Whales


COLLECTION CARE & ACCESS

Find out how we acquire and care for works of art, taonga, artefacts, and specimens relating to the cultural heritage and natural environment of New Zealand, the Pacific, and the wider world. See some of our recent acquisitions. Learn how you can access our collections for research or exhibition purposes or how we can help you identify living specimens. Find out about borrowing from our collections. more>

Highlights
> Conservation of the Japanese samurai armour
> Conservation of Nicholas Chevalier's 'Cook Straits'


Library - Te Aka Matua

Library Te Aka MatuaTe Aka Matua Library & Information Centre is located on Level 4 and open every day of the year from 10am until 6pm. more>

 

Museum publications

Our scientific publishing started in the 1860s and is still ongoing. Download or buy the latest issues of Tuhinga: Records of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. more>

Tuhinga is published by Te Papa Press.