Te Papa's February Exhibitions And Events Update
February highlights at Te Papa
Kia Ora! This month, Dinosaurs from China continues to wow visitors with its spectacular fossilised skeletons, and
up-to-date information on discoveries about prehistoric life. And along with the Wings and Aainaa exhibitions, each is
enhanced by a fascinating range of related floortalks, lectures, and discussions. On a different note, ever fancied
learning to tango? On the second Sunday of February, you can watch an Argentine tango demonstration, indulge in a free
introductory tango lesson, then dance the rest of the afternoon away in Icon. On Valentine's Day it's, 'Happy 6th
birthday to Te Papa!' Come along and enjoy the festivities including a concert featuring winners from the Diwali
Festival of Lights competition "Moksha", the "Indian 21st Century performing Arts", and the brilliant "Bhangra Boys".
Throughout February, Te Papa, like the rest of Wellington, is abuzz with arts events. Te Papa is hosting some exciting
events for both the New Zealand International Arts Festival and the Fringe New Zealand Festival.
For children, Te Papa's offering lots of great craft activities in the Discovery Centres, as well as the ever-popular
Bring-a-Bug Day. Hunt down those creepy crawlies and bring them in, dead or alive, for Te Papa's resident Entomologists
to tell you more. For details of these events and more, read on...
EVENTS:
Sunday 1
11am-12 noon: Make a Chinese monkey mask. NatureSpace, Level 2. Cost $2. 1pm-2pm: Dixie Dudes. Jazz band. Roaming Te
Papa. Free entry.
Tuesday 3
12 noon-1pm: Dinosaurs from China floortalk with Dr Hamish Campbell. The TOWER Gallery, Level 4. Exhibition entry
charges apply.
Wednesday 4
12 noon-1pm: Dinosaurs from China floortalk with Dr Hamish Campbell. The TOWER Gallery, Level 4. Exhibition entry
charges apply.
Thursday 5
6pm-7pm: Monstrous Passions: Dinosaurs and New Zealand. A fascinating lecture by Te Papa's Geologist Dr Hamish Campbell,
presenting an illustrated perspective on the scientific significance of dinosaurs and the particular relevance of New
Zealand and New Zealanders in dinosaur affairs. Part of the Dinosaurs from China exhibition. Soundings Theatre, Level 2.
Free entry.
Friday 6
11am-12 noon: Make a feathered quill pen. Te Huka ä Tai, Level 4. Cost $2. Waitangi Day Celebrations
1.30pm-2pm: Te Herenga Waka.
2.30pm-3pm: Te Ati Kimihia.
Join Te Papa in celebrating Waitangi Day with an afternoon of kapa haka, with performances by Wellington based groups Te
Herenga Waka and Te Ati Kimihia. The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.
Saturday 7
11am-12 noon: Make a Mexican 'Eye of God'. Inspiration Station, Level 4. Cost $2.
1pm-2pm: Son del Monte. Traditional and new Cuban music. The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.
Sunday 8
11am-12 noon: Create a dancing dinosaur. NatureSpace, Level 2. Cost $2.
1pm-1.30pm: Argentine tango demonstration. From members of the Wellington Argentine tango community. Wellington Foyer,
Level 2. Free entry.
1.45pm-2.30pm: Free introductory class to Argentine tango. With two of Wellington's leading tango teachers and
performers, Sarah Haywood and Matthew Civil. Icon, Level 2. Free entry.
2.30pm-5pm: Argentine tango tea dance. Tango the afternoon away with music from the golden age of tango in the
magnificent surroundings of Icon, Level 2. Free entry.
Thursday 12
6.30pm-8pm: Aainaa forum: 'Ceremonies of India'. Join Wellington's Indian community for revealing insights into their
age-old and hugely diverse culture, looking at the similarities and differences between different Indian ceremonies. The
Marae, Level 4. Free entry.
Saturday 14
Happy 6th Birthday Te Papa!
9am-11am: 24th National Corvette Convention Show & Shine. See eighty performance cars from throughout the country at their sparkling best, and vote for your favourite! Te
Papa Plaza, Level 1. Free entry.
11am-12 noon: Weave a manawa (heart) Valentine's card. PlaNet Pasifika, Level 4. Cost $2.
1pm-2.30pm: Te Papa's 6th birthday concert. A lively, colourful performance of Indian music and dance to celebrate Te
Papa's 6th Birthday. The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.
Sunday 15
11am-12 noon: Make a clay köauau (flute). Te Huka ä Tai, Level 4. Cost $2.
12 noon-3pm: Fringe NZ Festival: 'It's a fine line'. "Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great question." Lewis
Carroll Thought-provoking Performance Installation exploring the complexity of being human. Cheri Palmer-Coyle (artist)
and Malcolm Coleman show that Nothing is black and white, there are shades of grey. Wellington Foyer, Level 2. Free
entry.
2pm-4pm: Bring-a-Bug Day. Kids! Join Te Papa's Entomologists Phil Sirvid and Ricardo Palma. Bring your insects through
the door, and this pair will tell you more! NatureSpace, Level 2. Free entry.
Thursday 19
6.30pm-8pm: Aainaa forum: 'Now that we are here - where to now?' Listen to the stories of Indian migration to New
Zealand from India, Malaysia and Fiji. What are these migrants doing now, and what do they see as the future for Indians
in this new multi-cultural society? The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.
Saturday 21
11am-12 noon: Create a fabulous fashion doll. Inspiration Station, Level 4. Cost $2.
12 noon-3pm: Fringe NZ Festival: 'It's a fine line' "Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great question." Lewis
Carroll. Thought-provoking Performance Installation exploring the complexity of being human. Cheri Palmer-Coyle (artist)
and Malcolm Coleman show that Nothing is black and white, there are shades of grey. Wellington Foyer, Level 2. Free
entry.
Sunday 22
11am-12 noon: Make a lively lion mask. PlaNet Pasifika, Level 4. Cost $2.
12 noon-12.45pm & 2pm-2.45pm: 'Wings in nature & the human imagination'. An exciting floortalk and full tour of the Wings exhibition, with Sandy Bartle, Te Papa's
Curator of Birds. Meet by the floortalk poster at the entrance to Wings, Level 3. Free entry.
Wednesday 25
12 noon-1pm: 'Feathered dinosaurs & penguins'. A Dinosaurs from China floortalk with Craig Jones from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences.
Learn more about fossil birds and the relationship between birds and feathered dinosaurs. The TOWER Gallery, Level 4.
Exhibition entry charges apply.
Friday 27
8pm-9.50pm: NZ International Arts Festival: The Songmaker's Chair. A heart-warming story and a tribute to all Pacific
peoples, with dance, music and singing that ranges from traditional hymns to rap. Written by Albert Wendt. Soundings
Theatre, Level 2. Admission charges apply. For more info, and to book, contact Ticketek on [04] 384 3840.
Saturday 28
11am-12 noon: Make a flying pterosaur. NatureSpace, Level 2. Cost $2.
12 noon-4pm: Fringe NZ Festival: Seapa New Zealand footbag nationals. Watch as our best Footbag practitioners strut
their stuff to the beats and grooves of top DJs. Don't miss a special guest appearance from world-class Californian
footbagger 'Big Add' Chad Devlahovich. Amphitheatre, Level 1. Free entry.
2pm-3.50pm & 8pm-9.50pm: NZ International Arts Festival: The Songmaker's Chair. A heart-warming story and a tribute to all Pacific
peoples, with dance, music and singing that ranges from traditional hymns to rap. Written by Albert Wendt. Soundings
Theatre, Level 2. Admission charges apply. For more info, and to book, contact Ticketek on [04] 384 3840.
Sunday 29
11am-12 noon: Make a pïwaiwaka (fantail). Te Huka ä Tai, Level 4. Cost $2.
1pm-1.40pm: Te Ati Kimihia Kapa Haka. Wellington Foyer, Level 2. Free entry.
4pm-5.50pm: NZ International Arts Festival: The Songmaker's Chair. A heart-warming story and a tribute to all Pacific
peoples, with dance, music and singing that ranges from traditional hymns to rap. Written by Albert Wendt. Soundings
Theatre, Level 2. Admission charges apply. For more info, and to book, contact Ticketek on [04] 384 3840.
SHORT-TERM EXHIBITIONS:
Dinosaurs from China
Take this rare opportunity to see some of the world's largest and finest dinosaur skeletons. Marvel at huge fossil
skeletons - the largest measures 24 metres long - that date back over 150 million years to the Jurassic Period. See
gigantic, lumbering sauropods and vicious meat-eating predators such as the terrifying Yangchuanosaurus, a Chinese
relative of Tyrannosaurus rex. Until 12 April 2004. Adults $9.50, children (4-14 years) $4.50. Family concessions
available.
Great Family competition!!
Be in to win The Dominion Post family holiday to Hollywood competition! For your chance to win, clip out a current
Dominion Post Discount Coupon entitling you to $1 off the adult and $0.50 off the child exhibition entry price, fill in
your details and drop it in the dinosaur entry box at the exhibition. Competition closes 28 February. See your Dominion
Post for details.
Signs and Wonders ? He Tohu He Ohorere
An exhibition exploring through multiple cultural viewpoints and spiritual traditions, the ways in which people express
ideas of supernatural encounters. Key New Zealand artists represented include Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere, Rita Angus,
John Pule, Julia Morison, Don Driver, Milan Mrkusich, and Tony Fomison. Until September 2004. Free entry.
Te Awa Tupua: The Whanganui Iwi Exhibition
In partnership with Te Papa, Whanganui iwi present stories and taonga from their unique Whanganui river culture, from Te
Kähui Maunga (the mountain clan) to Tangaroa (the sea). The exhibition's central theme is contained in the whakatauakï
(proverb), 'E rere kau mai te awa nui mai Te Kähui Maunga ki Tangaroa, ko au te awa ko te awa ko au.' (The great river
flows from the mountain clan to Tangaroa, I am the river; the river is me). Until May 2006. Free entry.
Kiri's Dresses: A glimpse into a Diva's wardrobe
Dresses from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's wardrobe and her memories of them give an intimate glimpse into the life of a
world-famous lyric soprano. Until September 2004. Free entry.
Wings: Nature's flying machines | Hua rere a te taiao
A rich investigation of flight in the natural world and people's ingenuity with wings. Explore the marvels of flying,
highlighted by hands-on interactives and stunning audio-visuals. Until 25 April 2004. Free entry.
Aainaa: reflections through Indian weddings
Created by Te Papa in partnership with New Zealand Indian communities, this exhibition explores the wedding ritual to
show both traditional and modern experiences of marriage. Featured until March 2004 are the wedding rituals of the Sikh
community. Until late 2004. Free entry.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Phone 04 381 7000 Fax 04 381 7070 mail@tepapa.govt.nz