Author: CatherineL

Fat Freddy’s Drop Exhibition Announced for Wellington Museum

by CatherineL

10 November 2025

Twenty years ago, Fat Freddy’s Drop released Based on a True Story, an album that captured an intoxicating time in the Wellington music scene. Musicians stepped in and out of a multitude of bands and genres; live music buzzed in the city and was broadcast to a rapturous global audience. Now, Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Wellington Museum is celebrating the band, the album, and the era of Wellington music with a new exhibition opening Saturday 22 November.

“In the early 2000s, the Wellington music scene was exploding with amazing

Pasifika-infused dub reggae. There seemed to be all these musicians in a big boil up of collaborative creativity. The twenty year anniversary of the album that captured this time, inspired me to create the exhibition. I wanted people to feel like they were stepping into the album,” said curator Ian Wards.

“The band have just announced a world tour for 2026, so it is great to be celebrating their roots just as they get back on the road in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom,” Wards continued.

The exhibition is a colourful convergence of the music, art, and people that make up the band and the album. The centrepiece is DJ MU’s Akai MPC 2000 (Midi Production Center) the beating heart of Fat Freddy’s sound, along with a collection of other instruments played on the album: Tony Chang’s cornet, Dobie Blaze’s Korg keyboard, the beloved ‘Bessie’, Fulla Flash’s 1958 saxophone, as well as the main vocal microphone. The original fish ’n’ chip menu boards by artist Otis Frizzell from the Wandering Eye music video and Hopepa’s legendary All Star yellow tracksuit also feature, alongside music videos and touring footage.

The band, who are known not only for their genre-defying music, but also their fierce independence have been integral creative partners to the exhibition look and feel.

“When Wellington Museum approached us about an exhibition we were intrigued, and the way it has all come together really represents who we are as a band. We are like a creative family. The exhibition shows what is important to us: food, whānau, and our links to the city and the coast that surrounds it. It really feels like a high-five to the Wellington music scene and the city as a whole,” said Fat Freddy’s Drop current saxophonist, Chopper Reeds (Scott Towers).

The exhibition will be open until March 2026. There will be public events throughout the exhibition period, including a guided walking tour and a hands-on workshop making pāua wontons with chef and keyboardist Dobie Blaze, creator of the signature Freddys dish. The closing weekend in March 2026 will feature an all ages sound system gig featuring the next generation of Wellington DJs..

The making of Based on a True Story, is a story of Wellington; the people, the place, and its creative soul. But it is also a story of Aotearoa, and the music that we are known for across the world. The Museum hopes that visitors will go in and experience the playful genius of Freddys and come out feeling uplifted.

“There was so much incredible art, video, music, and stories behind the scenes to choose from Freddys – the band are impressive archivists. We’ve even got their music awards collection, set up as if in Freddy’s studio where they were kept on shelves above the kitchen sink” said Wards.

Based On A True Story: The 20th Anniversary Exhibition

Waitangi Exhibition “Significant for every New Zealander”

by CatherineL

Waitangi Exhibition “Significant for every New Zealander”

8 May 2025

Wellington Museum is bringing a milestone photographic exhibition of 50 images commemorating 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal to the capital city.

In partnership with the Waitangi Tribunal, He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal 1975-2025 opens on 24 May at Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Wellington Museum.

“This exhibition has significance for every New Zealander. It’s a great way for all New Zealanders to inform themselves about our past and learn more about one of our founding documents”, says Tānemahuta Gray, Kaihautū Director of Māori Strategy at Wheako Pōneke Experience Wellington.

“We’re hearing a lot of discussion about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles right now. It’s the zeitgeist issue of the moment and learning more about it is a great way to bring value to these conversations so we can have stronger discussions. We all have a collective part to play in this partnership.”

Through a series of 50 images and narratives, the exhibition explores pivotal moments, landmark cases, and the enduring legacy of the Tribunal in addressing Treaty of Waitangi grievances.

“This exhibition gives us a chance to get close to the personal stories of how people bring claims and provides a bird’s eye view of the breadth of work the Tribunal undertakes to understand each claim,” says Gray.

Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi unveiled the landmark exhibition, developed by the Waitangi Tribunal to mark its 50th anniversary, on 5 February 2025. Proudly sponsored by the Borrin Foundation, it captures the rich history and profound impact of the Waitangi Tribunal over the past 50 years. The exhibition closed at Waitangi on 6 April 2025 ahead of its move to Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum.

Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi Curator Owen Taituha said it was an honour to collaborate in the development and staging of this powerful exhibition, which not only celebrates the Tribunal’s 50th anniversary but also provides a deep, visual reflection on its journey and achievements.

“He Kura Toi Tangata offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with the Tribunal’s history and the significant role it has played in shaping modern New Zealand.”

The exhibition also features a 35-minute documentary Karanga Rā: 50 years of the Tribunal by Te Whatanui Flavell of Hautu Creatives featuring interviews with three former Tribunal Chairs Sir Eddie Durie, Justice Sir Joe Williams and Judge Wilson Isaac, former Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias and claimant lawyer Horiana Irwin-Easthope, reflecting on the achievements of the Tribunal.

Wheako Pōneke Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive Diana Marsh says it’s important to show the exhibition in Wellington.

“When I attended the opening of the exhibition at Waitangi in February, I saw how much this show connected the work of the Tribunal to our people and land. I know the rich history of the Tribunal and its significant impact for all New Zealanders will resonate with Wellingtonians.”

Tānemahuta Gray says Wellington Museum, which actively collects and shares the stories of the people of Pōneke, has an important role to play in telling the story of the Tribunal through the exhibition and public programmes, supported by Public Programmes partner Kāhui Legal.

“It’s wonderful we can bring the exhibition to this side of Te Ika ā Māui and the capital city and uphold the mana of the Waitangi Tribunal. The Tribunal is based just a few blocks away from our Museum, and so many people in Wellington know people who have worked there and been part of the fabric of it all, so in a sense it’s a story of Wellington too.”

He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 Years of the Waitangi Tribunal,1975-2025 is at Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Wellington Museum from 24 May to 25 September 2025.

The name He Kura Toi Tangata was bestowed by Tribunal member Tā Pou Temara and means Treasured Contributions.

Waitangi Exhibition “Significant for every New Zealander”

by CatherineL

8 May 2025

Wellington Museum is bringing a milestone photographic exhibition of 50 images commemorating 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal to the capital city.

In partnership with the Waitangi Tribunal, He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal 1975-2025 opens on 24 May at Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Wellington Museum.

“This exhibition has significance for every New Zealander. It’s a great way for all New Zealanders to inform themselves about our past and learn more about one of our founding documents”, says Tānemahuta Gray, Kaihautū Director of Māori Strategy at Wheako Pōneke Experience Wellington.

“We’re hearing a lot of discussion about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles right now. It’s the zeitgeist issue of the moment and learning more about it is a great way to bring value to these conversations so we can have stronger discussions. We all have a collective part to play in this partnership.”

Through a series of 50 images and narratives, the exhibition explores pivotal moments, landmark cases, and the enduring legacy of the Tribunal in addressing Treaty of Waitangi grievances.

“This exhibition gives us a chance to get close to the personal stories of how people bring claims and provides a bird’s eye view of the breadth of work the Tribunal undertakes to understand each claim,” says Gray.

Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi unveiled the landmark exhibition, developed by the Waitangi Tribunal to mark its 50th anniversary, on 5 February 2025. Proudly sponsored by the Borrin Foundation, it captures the rich history and profound impact of the Waitangi Tribunal over the past 50 years. The exhibition closed at Waitangi on 6 April 2025 ahead of its move to Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum.

Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi Curator Owen Taituha said it was an honour to collaborate in the development and staging of this powerful exhibition, which not only celebrates the Tribunal’s 50th anniversary but also provides a deep, visual reflection on its journey and achievements.

“He Kura Toi Tangata offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with the Tribunal’s history and the significant role it has played in shaping modern New Zealand.”

The exhibition also features a 35-minute documentary Karanga Rā: 50 years of the Tribunal by Te Whatanui Flavell of Hautu Creatives featuring interviews with three former Tribunal Chairs Sir Eddie Durie, Justice Sir Joe Williams and Judge Wilson Isaac, former Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias and claimant lawyer Horiana Irwin-Easthope, reflecting on the achievements of the Tribunal.

Wheako Pōneke Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive Diana Marsh says it’s important to show the exhibition in Wellington.

“When I attended the opening of the exhibition at Waitangi in February, I saw how much this show connected the work of the Tribunal to our people and land. I know the rich history of the Tribunal and its significant impact for all New Zealanders will resonate with Wellingtonians.”

Tānemahuta Gray says Wellington Museum, which actively collects and shares the stories of the people of Pōneke, has an important role to play in telling the story of the Tribunal through the exhibition and public programmes, supported by Public Programmes partner Kāhui Legal.

“It’s wonderful we can bring the exhibition to this side of Te Ika ā Māui and the capital city and uphold the mana of the Waitangi Tribunal. The Tribunal is based just a few blocks away from our Museum, and so many people in Wellington know people who have worked there and been part of the fabric of it all, so in a sense it’s a story of Wellington too.”

He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 Years of the Waitangi Tribunal,1975-2025 is at Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Wellington Museum from 24 May to 25 September 2025.

The name He Kura Toi Tangata was bestowed by Tribunal member Tā Pou Temara and means Treasured Contributions.

Layers of stories reveal hidden histories

by CatherineL

Layers of stories reveal hidden histories

By Andrea Milligan

 

There’s a kind of alchemy when school groups come to our museum. They bring a variety of backgrounds, experiences and a sense of wonder, and we ignite their curiosity. That’s the beautiful, unpredictable magic of museum learning.

Excited school groups are a familiar sight in Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Wellington Museum. There’s often a number of firsts: first time in a museum, first visit to the CBD, first visit to the city. The bus trip itself is often one of the highlights of the trip!

They are captivated by the carpet in our Te Whanganui-a-Tara exhibition on the ground floor. On their hands and knees, they eagerly search the aerial photograph imprinted in the carpet fibres for home, school, and the city’s other familiar landmarks. Elsewhere in the museum, there’s so much more to explore – a scuttling rat, a lion’s roar, and a plasma ball with lightning you can direct with your finger.
School groups are captivated by the carpet on show in Te Whanganui-a-Tara exhibition on the ground floor. On their hands and knees, they eagerly search the aerial photograph imprinted in the carpet fibres for home, school, and the city’s other familiar landmarks. WELLINGTON MUSEUM

But there’s a deeper intent to our school visits, carefully crafted by our teachers and Learning Specialists working to support Te Ao Tangata, the refreshed national social sciences curriculum that includes Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories.

Claire, a Learning Specialist, might draw the children’s attention to two street signs from Berhampore: Waripori St and Te Wharepōuri St. They are a powerful example of how the naming and renaming of places can illustrate mana whenua and local histories. Tamariki readily share examples and observations from their neighbourhoods; Remutaka comes quickly to their minds.

In the Attic on the top floor, another Learning Specialist Kurt, often gathers students around a hīnaki (eel trap). There’s always peals of laughter when Kurt shudders at the memory of dispatching tuna (eel). Through sharing their own experiences of catching tuna, the conversation centres on relationships with the awa and moana of Te Whanganui-a-Tara where the children have spent time.

In a museum dedicated to telling local stories, learning programmes support children and young people’s curiosity about where they stand. There are layers of stories and hidden, often difficult histories to explore here beneath the carpet, behind the street signs and hīnaki, and even in the architecture of the Bond Store building.

We look for intriguing, playful, and awe-inspiring ways into serious subject matter. This winter school groups sang waiata to the vast night sky in Te Ara Whānui ki te Rangi Space Place’s planetarium, created cartoon-like postcards in response to Ayesha Green’s Folk Nationalism exhibition at Te Whare Toi City Gallery and produced their own local stories in Nuku te Ao Capital E’s OnTV studio. Through each of these experiences, children and young people used their voices to share stories that have often been missing from the public eye.

Enabling children and young people to learn from our whenua and explore their relationships to its histories contributes to the vibrancy of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Why don’t you come with them next time? They’ll have a lot to tell you about our place and the kind of city we have been, are and could be.