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

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 50^th 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.

Images and ephemera of the TEV Wahine