# Tales from Te Papa

Tales From Te Papa is a television series of mini-documentaries about objects from the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa) 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 was moved to TVNZ7 and now available on You Tube.
The series was made by the Gibson Group and each episode produced by Gary Scott and 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 (Hei-tiki) 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 (Kurī) | 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 (Rere) 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 (Corned Beef 2000) by Michel Tuffery | New Zealand | 1994 | Sculpture made of corned beef tins by Michel Tuffery | Pisupo Lau Afe (Corned Beef 2000) | 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 (Poncho) 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 (Sendai-do no Gusoku) 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 (Maori belts) made by Matthew McIntyre-Wilson | Tatua (Maori belts) | 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 (feathered image) | 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 (Feathered cloak) 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 (Ina Te Papatahi, Nga Puhi) 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 (Cyril) 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 (Maori facial tattooing) 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 (Adzes) | 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 (muttonbird container) and Puffinus griseus The muttonbird or titi | Simon Morton & Dougal Austin, Curator |