Tales from Te Papa
Tales From Te Papa was a television series of mini-documentaries about objects from the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the activities of the Museum staff. The series is a partnership between Television New Zealand and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The series was commissioned by Television New Zealand for TVNZ6, a digital channel and New Zealand's first fully public service broadcasting channel without advertising breaks. Each episode runs for 5 to 8 minutes and shows on rotation in what would be the advertising break between programmes. Since TVNZ6 changed format to TVNZU on 1 March 2011 the series has moved to TVNZ7.
The series was produced by Gibson Group and each episode is hosted by either Simon Morton or Riria Hotere. A host interviews subject experts about a particular object or the behind-the-scenes work the Museum does.
Series 2009 Episodes 1 – 50
| Episode Number | Title and link to episode on YouTube | Origin | Object Date | Description | Te Papa's Collections online link | Host and additional contributors |
| 1 | Cloud by John Reynolds | New Zealand | 2006 | An artwork made up of over 7,000 separate canvases of New Zealand English by John Reynolds | Cloud by John Reynolds | Simon Morton & Charlotte Huddleston, Curator |
| 2 | Hei Tiki | New Zealand | Unknown | Jade Pedant belonging to Guide Sophia | Hei tiki | Simon Morton & Dr Huhana Smith, Senior Curator |
| 3 | Kahu Kuri | New Zealand | 1500–1800 | Polynesian Dog skin cloaks worn by Māori | Cloak and Taxidermied Polynesian Dog | Simon Morton & Awhina Tamarapa, Curator |
| 4 | Rugby Ball and John Minto | New Zealand | 1956 and 1981 | Rugby History in New Zealand – The rugby ball from the All Blacks Series win against the Springboks in 1956 and a helmet of John Minto, protester of the Springbok Tour 1981 | Rugby Ball and John Minto's Helmet | Simon Morton & Kirstie Ross, Curator |
| 5 | Albatross | New Zealand | 1880s to present | Biggest collection of Albatross birds in the world | Albatross specimens | Simon Morton & Sandy Bartle, Curator |
| 6 | Beaked Whales | New Zealand waters | 1874 to present | Largest collection of Beaked whale skeletons in the world and the Spade toothed whale | Beaked Whale Specimens | Simon Morton & Anton van Helden, Collection Manager |
| 7 | Giant Ammonite | New Zealand | Jurassic | Biggest Shellfish ever found in New Zealand | Not found in Collections Online | Riria Hotere & Dr Hamish Campbell, Geologist, GNS Science |
| 8 | Puffer Fish Helmet | Kiribiti | 1800s | Armour and weapons from Kiribati | Puffer Fish Helmet and model Kiribati Warrior and Sting ray belt and Hand weapon and Amour | Riria Hotere & Sean Mallon, Senior Curator |
| 9 | Fijian War Clubs | Fiji | 1880s | Lots of war clubs from Fiji | Fijian War Clubs Model of Fijian Warrior | Riria Hotere & Sean Mallon, Senior Curator |
| 10 | Angel of the Annunciation by Colin McCahon | New Zealand | 1947 | One of New Zealand's greatest artists – Colin McCahon and his early works | Angel of the Annunciation and King of the Jews and Entombment: after Titian and Christ taken from the Cross and The valley of dry bones | Riria Hotere & William McAloon, Curator |
| 11 | Castaway Clothes | Sub-Antarctic Islands | 1880s-1900s | Castaway depots on Sub-Antarctic Islands | Tin of Ships Biscuits and Castaway three piece suit and Box containing men's boots and Castaway's Trousers | Riria Hotere & Michael Fitzgerald, Curator |
| 12 | Iguanodon Tooth | Great Britain | 1820 | The first fossil to be recognised as from a dinosaur | Fossil Iguanodon Tooth and The country of the Iguanodon by John Martin | Riria Hotere & Dr Hamish Campbell, Geologist, GNS Science |
| 13 | Synotaxid spiders | New Zealand | Present | Thousands of Spiders waiting to be discovered in New Zealand | Synotaxid Spiders | Riria Hotere & Phil Sirvid, Collection Manager |
| 14 | Egyptian Mummy | Egypt | circa 300 BC | Egyptian Mummy and Sarcophagus – Mehit-em-Wesekht | Mummy and Sarcophagus of Mehit-em-Wesekht | Riria Hotere & Ross O'Rourke, Collection Manager |
| 15 | Pisupo Lua Afe by Michel Tuffery | New Zealand | 1994 | Sculpture made of corned beef tins by Michel Tuffery | Pisupo Lau Afe | Riria Hotere & Sean Mallon, Senior Curator |
| 16 | Poi Awe | New Zealand | 1800s | The only Poi awe in Te Papa's collection | The Poi Awe | Riria Hotere & Awhina Tamarapa, Curator |
| 17 | Feather signatures | New Zealand | Present | Research into the making of Māori feather cloaks | Feathered cloak | Riria Hotere & Hokimate Harwood, Bicultural Researcher |
| 18 | Waka Whakairo from Paris | New Zealand | 1800–1900 | Carving purchased at a Paris auction in 2008 | Waka whakairo | Riria Hotere & Matiu Baker, Curator |
| 19 | Lisa Reihana | New Zealand | 2009 | Te Ara a Hine – The pathway of women featuring the artwork Mai i te aroha, ko te aroha by Lisa Reihana | Work by Lisa Reihana in Te Papa's Collection | Riria Hotere & Megan Tamati-Quennell, Curator |
| 20 | Jewellery by Jane Dodd | New Zealand | 2006 | Three Little Pigs jewellery by Jane Dodd | Work by Jane Dodd in Te Papa's Collection | Riria Hotere & Justine Olsen, Curator |
| 21 | Glass plate negatives taken by James Bragge | New Zealand | 1870s – 1880s | Glass plate negatives by James Bragge | Work by James Bragge in Te Papa's Collection and Five Mile Avenue, Forty Mile Bush by James Bragge | Riria Hotere & Athol McCredie, Curator |
| 22 | Land Girls, Overalls and Killing Knife | New Zealand | 1941–1945 | The New Zealand Women's Land Service & the home front | Overalls and Killing knife | Riria Hotere & Stephanie Gibson, Curator |
| 23 | Bathing costumes | New Zealand | 1902–1912 | Beach Fashion – The Swimsuit | Bathing costume, 1912 and "The sea hath its pearls": 'Boxing Day at Hokio, 26 December 1918'. From the album: Family photograph album, by Leslie Adkin and Bathing Costume and medal belonging to Noel Crump | Riria Hotere & Kirstie Ross, Curator |
| 24 | Ta Moko Panel | New Zealand | 1896 | Carved panel by Tene Waitere | Ta Moko Panel | Riria Hotere & Arapata Hakiwai, Curator & James Schuster, Descendent |
| 25 | Dental Nurse Equipment | New Zealand | 1940s | Dentistry in New Zealand and Dental nurses | Dental equipment from the Wellington Dental Nursing School | Simon Morton & Kirstie Ross, Curator |
| 26 | Sextant | Motuihe Island, New Zealand | 1916 | Sextant made from scratch by a German Prisoner of War during World War One used by Count von Luckner | Sextant used by Count von Luckner during his escape attempt from Motuihe Island | Simon Morton & Michael Fitzgerald, Curator |
| 27 | Te Papa's Fish Collection labs | New Zealand | 2009 | A giant morgue and an autopsy room for fish, sharks and sea creatures | Fish specimens in Collections Online | Simon Morton & Andrew Stewart, Collection Manager |
| 28 | Replica Crown Jewels | New Zealand | 1940 | Replica Crown Jewels and the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition 1940 | Items relating to the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition 1940 | Simon Morton & Dean Miller, Museum of Wellington City & Sea & Kirstie Ross, Curator |
| 29 | Henry Fanshaw Bear | New Zealand | 1939–1945 | The Royal New Zealand Airforce – enlisting men and a Teddy bear | War posters in Te Papa's Collection | Simon Morton & Stephanie Gibson, Curator & Steve Moore, Air Commodore |
| 30 | Samoan Cricket Bats | Samoa | 1936 – 1990s | Kilikiti- Cricket Samoan Style | Samoan Cricket bats | Simon Morton & Safua Akeli, Curator |
| 31 | Society Islands Chief Mourners Costume | Society Islands | 1770s | A frightening outfit made from precious pearl and black shell from the Society Islands | Chief Mourners Costume | Simon Morton & Grace Hutton, Collection Manager |
| 32 | NZ Company Flag | New Zealand | 1839 | First flag to be raised at Wellington, New Zealand – The New Zealand Company flag | New Zealand Company flag | Riria Hotere & Michael Fitzgerald, Curator |
| 33 | The pataka Te Takinga | New Zealand | 1850s | The pataka Te Takinga | Not Found in Collections Online | Riria Hotere & Awhina Tamarapa, Curator & Sam Jackson, Kaumatua Ngati Pikiao, Taranaki |
| 34 | Banks and Solander Collection | New Zealand | 1770s | The earliest specimens of New Zealand flora collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander | The Banks and Solander botanical specimens collection | Riria Hotere & Dr Patrick Brownsey, Senior Curator |
| 35 | Scottish Samplers | Scotland | 1880s | Learning a range of stitching by creating sewing samplers | Sampler by Jeanie Lawson and Sampler by Agnes Lawson and Sampler by Agnes Lawson | Simon Morton & Stephanie Gibson, Curator |
| 36 | Play School Toys | New Zealand | 1970s | Toys from the popular children's television programme Play School | Big Ted and Jemima and Manu and Humpty and Play School doll's clothes | Riria Hotere & Kirstie Ross, Curator |
| 37 | Phar Lap's Skeleton | New Zealand | 1932 | Famous Australasian racehorse Phar Lap's Skeleton | Skeleton of Phar Lap | Simon Morton & Chris Paulin, Phar Lap Researcher |
| 38 | Tapa Cloth | Pacific | Various | Tapa cloth and fashion | Tiputa and Wedding costume by Paula Chan-Cheuk | Riria Hotere & Safua Akeli, Curator & Jakki Leota-Ete |
| 39 | Vita Dress | New Zealand | 2000 | Women's handcrafts and fashion combine in a stunning dress by Marilyn Sainty and Vita Cochran. | 'Vita' dress by Marilyn Sainty and Vita Cochran and 'Zip Bag' by Vita Cochran | Simon Morton & Angela Lassig, Senior Curator |
| 40 | Mary-Annette Hay | New Zealand | 1960s | Mary-Annette Hay – Queen of Wool | Items in Te Papa's collection associated with Mary-Annette Hay | Simon Morton & Angela Lassig, Senior Curator |
| 41 | Extended Depth of Field Photography | New Zealand | 2009 | High Tech photography known as Focus stacking of tiny natural history specimens | Photographs of spiders taken using extended depth of field photography technique | Simon Morton & Jean-Claude Stahl, Researcher |
| 42 | Deep sea fishes | New Zealand Territorial Waters | 20th Century | Bizarre Deep Sea Fishes | Te Papa's Fish Collection | Simon Morton & Andrew Stewart, Collection Manager |
| 43 | Conservation of Samurai Armour | Japan | 1735 | Conservation Treatment of Samurai Armour – A two-year job | Samurai armour made by Muneyoshi of the House of Myouchin | Simon Morton & Rose Evans, Conservator |
| 44 | Ceramics by Ann Verdcourt | New Zealand | 1991 | Ceramics by Ann Verdcourt inspired by the voyage of Christopher Columbus and commissioned for Expo 92 | Series one: Columbus plans his first voyage, sailing against the wind and Series two: The trials and tribulations of the first voyage and Series three: A new land, its perils, its wonder | Riria Hotere & Justine Olsen, Curator |
| 45 | Tatua | New Zealand | 2007-08 | Tatua made by Matthew McIntyre-Wilson | Tatua | Riria Hotere & Dr Huhana Smith, Senior Curator |
| 46 | Child's Wrap | Wairarapa | circa 1875 | Child's Cloak made by Eterina Hokokakahu Aperahama | Not Found in Collections Online | Riria Hotere & Matiu Baker, Curator & Warren Wright, Descendant |
| 47 | A Loss, Again – a temporary sculpture installation at Te Papa | New Zealand | 2009 | Temporary sculpture by artist Ronnie van Hout | Other works by Ronnie van Hout in Te Papa's collection | Riria Hotere & Charlotte Huddleston, Curator |
| 48 | Tuvalu Clothes | Tuvalu | circa 1900 | Missionary style clothes made from local materials in Tuvalu | Man's Jacket and Man's Hat and Woman's Dress | Riria Hotere & Sean Mallon, Senior Curator |
| 49 | Harata Rewiri Tarapata | New Zealand | 1903-04 | C.F.Goldie's paintings of Harata Rewiri Tarapata | Items related to Harata Rewiri Tarapata in Te Papa's collection | Riria Hotere & Scott Pothan, Whangarei Art Museum |
| 50 | Von Tempsky | New Zealand | 1860s | Gustavus Ferdinand Von Tempsky – adventurer, artist and soldier | Items related to Von Tempsky in Te Papa's collection | Simon Morton & Crystal Mann, Waikato Museum |
Series 2010 Episodes 51 – 100
| Episode Number | Title & Link to Episode on YouTube | Origin | Date | Description | Te Papa's Collections Online link | Host & Additional contributors |
| 51 | The Feathered Face of War | Hawai'i | 1779-1790s | A representation of the Hawaiian war god Kuka | `aumakua hulu manu Kuka`ilimoku | Simon Morton & Herman Pi'ikea Clark, Hawaiian Specialist |
| 52 | A Captain's Chiefly Gift | Hawai'i | 1779 | Gifts of Hawaiians to Captain James Cook in 1779 | `ahu `ula and Mahiole | Simon Morton & Herman Pi'ikea Clark, Hawaiian Specialist |
| 53 | Beaded Beauties | New Zealand | 1920s | Beaded flapper dresses | Gold and black flapper dress Others not found in Collections Online | Simon Morton & Angela Lassig, Senior Curator |
| 54 | Whale's Treasure | New Zealand | 2009 | Ambergris from Sperm whale | Not found in Collections Online | Simon Morton & Anton Van Helden, Collection Manager |
| 55 | Designer Walls | New Zealand | 1920-1970s | Historic wallpaper samples | Wallpaper samples | Simon Morton & Anna Greaves, Wallpaper expert & Phillipa Durkin, Conservator |
| 56 | Nature's Hitchhikers | New Zealand | 2009 | All warm blooded animals have lice – Te Papa collects Bird lice | Lice | Simon Morton & Ricardo Palma, Curator |
| 57 | The Art of Fish Illustration | New Zealand | 2009 | The Art of Fish Illustration for scientific journals | Not found in Collections Online | Riria Hotere & Michelle Freeborn, Scientific Illustrator |
| 58 | Lavender – Nice Smell, Bad Idea | New Zealand | 2009 | Lavender bags and the Oddy test | Not found in Collections Online | Riria Hotere & Tony Clarke, Conservator |
| 59 | Waddling Mice & Kiwi Crocs | New Zealand | 20 million BC | Intriguing fossils from St Bathans in Otago, New Zealand | Specimens of fossilised bone | Riria Hotere & Alan Tennyson, Curator |
| 60 | - The Cleaners | New Zealand | 2009 | Dermestid beetles – flesh eaters and bone specimen cleaners | Tuatara skull preparation | Riria Hotere & Catherine Tate, Natural Environment Technician |
| 61 | A Soldier's Doll | New Zealand | 1914–1918 | Keeping her soldier boyfriend close to her heart | Dorothy Broad's dolls and work | Simon Morton & Kirstie Ross, Curator |
| 62 | Musket – Flash in the Pan | New Zealand | 1840s | The New Zealand Wars and muskets | Flintlock Muskets | Simon Morton & Michael Fitzgerald, Curator |
| 63 | Cox's Diary from the Front | Gallipoli | 1915 | A Gallipoli Diary from a New Zealand soldier | The Diary | Simon Morton & Jennifer Twist, Archivist |
| 64 | Painter's Nightmare | New Zealand | 2009 | What do paintings conservators do? | Northland panels, 1958 by Colin McCahon | Riria Hotere & Melanie Carlisle, Conservator & Katherine Campbell, Conservator |
| 65 | Crayfish – Crazy Life Cycle | New Zealand | Current | The life cycle of the Rock lobster | Not found in Collections Online | Riria Hotere & Rick Webber, Curator |
| 66 | A Portrait for All Times | United States of America | 1771 | A memory of a mother in a painting | Mrs Humphrey Devereux by John Singleton Copley | Riria Hotere & Tony Mackle, Collection Manager |
| 67 | One Coast – Two Views | Cook Strait, New Zealand | 1884 | An insight into Nicholas Chevalier's painting of Cook Strait. | Cook Strait, New Zealand by Nicholas Chevalier, Near Paekakariki, Cook Strait by Nicholas Chevalier, Kapiti by Nicholas Chevalier | Simon Morton & Tony Mackle, Collection Manager |
| 68 | Frame Detective – A case of woodworm | New Zealand | 2009 | Researching and reuniting a picture frame with its artwork | Death of a peasant by Henry Lamb | Riria Hotere & Matthew O'Reilly, Framer |
| 69 | Seaweed – More than Meets the Eye | New Zealand | Current | Seaweed in your chocolate milk | Seaweeds by taxa and Botanical drawings of seaweed by Nancy Adams | Simon Morton & Jennifer Dalen, Collection Manager |
| 70 | Nuclear Nic-Nacs | Japan | 1945 | Keepsakes from Ground Zero at Hiroshima | Money box and related objects | Riria Hotere & Stephanie Gibson, Curator |
| 71 | Cloak of Protection | New Zealand | 1840 | How a cloak saved the life of a young boy in colonial New Zealand | Not found in Collections Online | Simon Morton & Awhina Tamarapa, Curator |
| 72 | Burn My Head in Heaven, by John Pule | New Zealand | 1998 | Artwork by John Pule | Burn My Head In Heaven, 1998 by John Pule | Simon Morton & Megan Tamati-Quennell, Curator |
| 73 | Cool Photos | New Zealand | 2009 | How a Museum looks after negatives | Autochromes by Robert Walrond Cliffs near Green Island by Burton Bros | Riria Hotere & Lissa Mitchell, Collection Manager |
| 74 | Sacred Masks | Papua New Guinea | 1900s | Eharo dance masks from Papua New Guinea | Images of Eharo dance masks | Riria Hotere & Safua Akeli, Curator |
| 75 | Ancient Island Carvings | Chatham Islands | Unknown | Chatham Islands carvings by the Moriori | Not found in Collections Online. | Riria Hotere & Arapata Hakiwai, Curator & Mana Cracknell, Artist and Elder |
| 76 | Coming of Age Treasures | New Zealand | 1935 & 1942 | Turning 21 and coming of age parties | Chocolate Box | Riria Hotere & Stephanie Gibson, Curator |
| 77 | A Cape of Stars | New Zealand | 2006 | A cape of celebration | Matariki Caper by Kohai Grace | Riria Hotere & Kohai Grace, artist & Awhina Tamarapa, Curator |
| 78 | The Ocean's Tight Five | New Zealand | modern | Echinoderm – Marine Animals | Not found in Collections Online | Simon Morton & Rick Webber, Curator |
| 79 | Ruby's Room | New Zealand | 2000 | Photographs by Ann Noble | Works from the series Ruby's Room by Ann Noble | Riria Hotere & Athol McCredie, Curator |
| 80 | Picture Perfect Dolls | New Zealand | 1920s-1930s | Dolls made by Bessie Murray | Dolls by Bessie Murray Darby and Joan by C. F. Goldie | Riria Hotere & Stephanie Gibson, Curator |
| 81 | Stories Sewn in Quilts | Cook Islands | circa 1990 | Tivaevae – Pacific quilts | Tivaevae called Ina and the shark and other Tivaevae | Riria Hotere & Grace Hutton, Collection Manager |
| 82 | A Soldier's Christmas | North Africa | 1941 | A Kiwi soldier in World War II | Image of Sig Hurne-Miller, the artist’s batman by Peter McIntyre. Christmas Card not found in Collections Online. | Riria Hotere & Michael Fitzgerald, Curator |
| 83 | A Chiefly Sword | New Zealand | 1848 | Te Rauparaha's Sword – A symbol of peace | Sword not found in Collections Online. Painting of Te Rauparaha in naval uniform Image of Rangiatea Church | Riria Hotere & Te Waari Carkeek, Ngati Toa, Ngati Raukawa |
| 84 | Carved in Skin | New Zealand | 1840 | The significance of Ta Moko today | Life Mask Image of Moko being created | Simon Morton & Mark Kopua, Ta Moko Artist |
| 85 | A Powerful Peacemaker | New Zealand | 1819 | The peacemaking Taiaha named Te Rongotaketake from the early colonial period | Not found in Collections Online | Riria Hotere & Matiu Baker, Curator |
| 86 | Carving Family History | New Zealand | Modern | Learning to make Tokelauan Toki | The set of Toki | Riria Hotere & Kupa Kupa, Adze maker & Jack Kirifi, Adze Maker |
| 87 | Tatau – Samoan Tattooing | Samoa | Current | Tatau in New Zealand | Tatau implements and images | Riria Hotere & Sean Mallon, Senior Curator |
| 88 | Sister's Secret Stash | Wellington, New Zealand | 1870s | What childhood treasures were hidden in the walls of Randall Cottage? | Items from Randall Cottage | Riria Hotere & Lynette Townsend, Curator |
| 89 | Punch & Judy Kiwi Style | New Zealand | 1970s | Punch and Judy in 1970s New Zealand | Puppets by Garth Frost | Riria Hotere & Lynette Townsend, Curator |
| 90 | New Zealand | 1995 | What caught the imagination of Xenites about Xena: Warrior Princess | Xena's Outfit | Riria Hotere & Anna Greaves, Xenite | |
| 91 | Recycled Plastic Art | New Zealand | Current | Recycling plastic as art – Good for the environment but not good for conservators | Items made from plastic in the Pacific Collections | Riria Hotere & Nirmala Balram, Conservator |
| 92 | The Art of Haka | New Zealand | 1962 | A colourful version of the haka Ka Mate, Ka Mate on canvas | Whiti te ra, 1962 by Paratene Matchitt | Riria Hotere & Megan Tamati-Quennell, Curator |
| 93 | 3D Photography | New Zealand | Current | 3D photography at Te Papa | Not found in Collections Online | Riria Hotere & Norm Heke, Photographer |
| 94 | New Zealand | 1867–1946 | George Hudson's insect collection | George Vernon Hudson | Simon Morton & George Gibbs, George Hudson's grandson | |
| 95 | Letter No. 1. | New Zealand | 1831 | Earliest surviving letter addressed to New Zealand | Not found in Collections Online | Simon Morton & Dr Patrick Brownsey, Senior Curator |
| 96 | Who Killed the Huia? | New Zealand | 1904 | Was Walter Buller a prime suspect? | Huia specimens Portrait of Walter Buller by Ethel Mortlock and Three Huia by J. G. Keulemans | Riria Hotere & Dr Sandy Bartle, Former Curator & Alan Tennyson, Curator |
| 97 | Caravan of Love | New Zealand | 1930s | A DIY love shack. | Caravan | Simon Morton & Kirstie Ross, Curator |
| 98 | Sea floor discoveries | New Zealand | 2009 | Cameras are sent a kilometre underwater to see what's lurking down there. | Not found in Collections Online | Riria Hotere & Vincent Zintzen, Researcher |
| 99 | Pigeon Posties | New Zealand | 1899–1903 | The original airmail posties. | Pigeon Post stamps, covers, postcards and letters | Simon Morton & Dr Patrick Brownsey, Senior Curator |
| 100 | A Seaweed Pantry | Titi Islands | Current | The hunting and storing of muttonbirds – a Maori delicacy | Poha titi and Puffinus griseus The muttonbird or titi | Simon Morton & Dougal Austin, Curator |