Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao

Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao The official page for New Zealand's oldest Museum. Located on the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy St
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The Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao is the guardian (kaitiaki) of social and natural history, and taonga, from the Nelson Tasman region. We are New Zealand’s oldest museum, tracing our origin back to the foundation of the Literary and Scientific Institution of Nelson in May 1841. We are one museum with two distinct venues where people can share our history. The education and exhibition centre is located in central Nelson, on the corner of Hardy and Trafalgar Streets, and our collections and research facility is located at Isel Park, Hilliard Street, Stoke.

We've appreciated seeing the conversation about our new Archives, Research and Collections (ARC) facility on TVNZ Q+A wi...
20/09/2026

We've appreciated seeing the conversation about our new Archives, Research and Collections (ARC) facility on TVNZ Q+A with Jack Tame today.

While it's important to clarify that no central government funding had been committed to the project before the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund closed, the closure of that fund did leave a significant gap in our funding plans.

The good news? Our community has already helped us achieve so much.

To make the project more affordable and achievable, we redesigned the project and relocated the proposed facility to Richmond, reducing costs by around 30%. We're continuing to work hard to protect and preserve the region's irreplaceable collections for future generations - and we now have over 91% of funds in place to complete our new Archives Research and Collections facility (ARC)!

Every donation and every raffle ticket purchased brings us one step closer to creating a safe, modern home for Nelson Tasman's treasured history, archives and taonga.

If you'd like to help protect our region's stories for generations to come, we'd love your support.

🎟️ Buy a raffle ticket
❤️ Make a donation
📚 Help safeguard Nelson Tasman's heritage

WE’RE BACK AT THE NELSON MARKET TOMORROW!Come and say kia ora! We’ll be at the Nelson Market tomorrow from 8am to 1pm wi...
18/09/2026

WE’RE BACK AT THE NELSON MARKET TOMORROW!

Come and say kia ora! We’ll be at the Nelson Market tomorrow from 8am to 1pm with our ARC Market Roadshow.

Chat with the Nelson Provincial Museum team, learn more about the new Archives, Research and Collections (ARC) facility being built in Richmond, and find out how you can support the project.

At our stall you can:

-Check out our ARC raffle and grab your tickets
-Learn more about the new ARC facility
-Pick up tickets for the Historic Homes Tour
-Sign up for the Museum newsletter

We’ll also have details on some of the fantastic raffle prizes up for grabs.

See you at the market!

Tickets for the Historic Homes Tour are selling fast!Step inside 15 remarkable heritage homes and discover the stories, ...
17/09/2026

Tickets for the Historic Homes Tour are selling fast!

Step inside 15 remarkable heritage homes and discover the stories, architecture and people that helped shape Nelson’s past.

Across the day, you’ll enjoy:

• Heritage displays and historic photographs
• Live music and traditional crafts
• Beautiful gardens and special activities
• Stories and collection highlights
• The chance to meet homeowners, volunteers and local historians
• Devonshire Tea at The Granary, Founders Park

Sunday 8 November | 10am–4pm

Homes will be open throughout the day for you to explore at your own pace.

Devonshire Tea: 12pm–3.30pm
Tickets: $65 per person
Please note: This event is not suitable for children under 10.

🎟️ Tickets are limited, so book soon:
historic-homes-tour.raiselysite.com

The homes will be revealed in early October. Follow our Facebook event page for the latest updates and home reveals:
https://www.facebook.com/share/18874BXWht/

Every ticket helps support the future of Nelson’s heritage and the Museum’s new Archives, Research & Collections (ARC) facility.

📷 South Street, Nelson. Courtesy of Nelson Tasman.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week to celebrate the opening of Our Vision: Rangatahi, Imagining the Future, S...
17/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week to celebrate the opening of Our Vision: Rangatahi, Imagining the Future, Shaping Tomorrow

It was wonderful to see rangatahi, whānau, councillors, friends and members of our community come together to experience the exhibition and celebrate the creativity, ideas and perspectives of young people from across the region.

Presented with the Nelson Youth Council, Our Vision invites us to see the future through the eyes of rangatahi, sharing their hopes, ideas and visions for the world they want to help create.

A huge thank you to all of the young people who contributed their work!

If you haven’t visited yet, Our Vision is on now at Nelson Provincial Museum until 1 November.

📅 12 September – 1 November
📍 Nelson Provincial Museum

🔗 Plan your visit: https://www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/what-is-on/our-vision

📷 Shernade Photography

[NOW ON] Unravelling the Saree: Beyond the FoldThis vibrant, community-led exhibition explores the history, artistry and...
16/09/2026

[NOW ON] Unravelling the Saree: Beyond the Fold

This vibrant, community-led exhibition explores the history, artistry and meaning of one of South Asia’s most iconic garments.

Featuring sarees from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan, alongside photographs and personal stories, Unravelling the Saree: Beyond the Fold reveals the saree as a living tradition carrying identity, memory and belonging across generations.

Developed in collaboration with Cultural Conversations and Nelson Arts Festival, the exhibition brings together community stories and regional craftsmanship through weave, colour and pattern, highlighting both historical and contemporary expression.

Visitors are invited to experience how the saree continues to evolve while strengthening intergenerational ties and enriching our cultural fabric.

📅 On now until 15 November
📍 Nelson Provincial Museum

🔗 Plan your visit: https://www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/what-is-on/unravelling-the-saree

📷 Shernade Photography

Rei P**a | Te Māori ExhibitionAs part of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, we're sharing the stories of taonga from the Nelson Pro...
15/09/2026

Rei P**a | Te Māori Exhibition

As part of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, we're sharing the stories of taonga from the Nelson Provincial Museum collection that featured in the landmark Te Māori exhibition.

Today's taonga is a rei p**a, a pendant carved from the tooth of a parāoa (s***m whale). Carefully shaped into the form of a human figure, it reflects the skill of whakairo (carving) and tā moko (tattooing) and transforming materials from the taiao into taonga tuku iho (treasured heirlooms).

Believed to have originated from Te Tai Tapu | Mohua (Golden Bay), this taonga is on display in the Regional Gallery at Te Pūpuri Taonga o Te Taiao (Nelson Provincial Museum).

The finely carved patterns resemble tā moko and, alongside the whakapakoko shared yesterday, may point to a distinctive carving tradition from Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui.

Like the whakapakoko before it, this taonga reminds us that te reo Māori is more than spoken language. It is carried through mātauranga, whakapapa, the names we give the world around us, and the knowledge embedded within the taonga created by our ancestors.

📷: Rei p**a

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

Whakapakoko | Te Māori ExhibitionAs part of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, we're sharing the stories of taonga from the Nelson ...
14/09/2026

Whakapakoko | Te Māori Exhibition

As part of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, we're sharing the stories of taonga from the Nelson Provincial Museum collection that featured in the landmark Te Māori exhibition.

Today's taonga is a whakapakoko carved from soapstone, showcasing the distinctive carving traditions of Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui. Found on Rangitoto ki te Tonga, D'Urville Island, the human figure is intricately carved with patterns reminiscent of tā moko, reflecting both artistic skill and identity.

Te reo Māori is carried in many forms. It lives in our words, our place names, our waiata, and in our taonga. Through their forms, materials and stories, taonga carry mātauranga Māori and the whakapapa of our people.

This taonga is on display in the Regional Gallery at Te Pūpuri Taonga o Te Taiao (Nelson Provincial Museum) and is also featured in Te Māori exhibition publications.

📷Whakapakoko, Ngāti Koata display case

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

14/09/2026

[ON NOW] Our Vision: Rangatahi, Imagining the Future, Shaping Tomorrow

See the future through the eyes of rangatahi.
Featuring work by young people from across the region, Our Vision shares their hopes, ideas and perspectives on the world they want to help create.

Presented with the Nelson Youth Council, the exhibition celebrates rangatahi creativity and leadership, and the importance of young voices in shaping what comes next.

📅 12 September – 1 November
📍 Nelson Provincial Museum

Come along, explore their work and see what the future looks like through their eyes.

🔗 Plan your visit: https://www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/what-is-on/our-vision

YouthArt

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2026 | Ake, Ake, Ake – A Forever LanguageThis Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, Te Pūpuri Taonga o Te Taiao...
14/09/2026

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2026 | Ake, Ake, Ake – A Forever Language

This Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, Te Pūpuri Taonga o Te Taiao (Nelson Provincial Museum) is reflecting on the enduring legacy of Te Māori, the landmark exhibition that changed the way taonga Māori were seen around the world.

Opening in New York in 1984, Te Māori was groundbreaking in placing Māori voices, tikanga and relationships with taonga at the heart of the exhibition.

Over the coming week, we’ll share the stories of two taonga from our collection that travelled in Te Māori, reflect on the exhibition’s lasting impact, and explore how its legacy continues today.

📷 Te Māori: Te Hokinga Mai. The Return Home exhibition poster, National Museum of Wellington, Te Waka Huia O Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho, 1986. Nelson Provincial Museum Collection, BP104607.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

Address

Cnr Trafalgar And Hardy Streets
Nelson
7010

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4:30pm
Sunday 10am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+6435489588

Website

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