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Wellington Museum See something new (but old) at Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho, Wellington Museum. House Rules for Wellington Museum's page

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Ever wondered what it takes to bring an exhibition to life? Join Senior Curator Māori Dr Jamie Metzger and Curator Commu...
14/10/2026

Ever wondered what it takes to bring an exhibition to life?

Join Senior Curator Māori Dr Jamie Metzger and Curator Communities Leilani A Sio for a behind-the-scenes look at Arohanui, Carmen xx. From big ideas to unexpected challenges, discover how Wellington's much-loved Rainbow icon, Carmen Rupe, became the centre of one of Wellington Museum's most talked-about exhibitions.

Part of Wellington Heritage Festival.

📅 Saturday 24 October, 11am–1pm

Book your spot now: https://www.museumswellington.org.nz/carmen-in-conversation/

Carmen would never have settled for just one souvenir. Buttons? ✔️ Fans? ✔️ Stickers? ✔️ A "Carmen for Mayor" T-shirt? A...
14/10/2026

Carmen would never have settled for just one souvenir.

Buttons? ✔️
Fans? ✔️
Stickers? ✔️
A "Carmen for Mayor" T-shirt? Absolutely.

Our latest Carmen collection has landed in the shop. Get in behind it: https://shopwellington.nz/collections/arohanui-carmen-xx

On this day in 1975, Dame Whina Cooper led the Māori Land March to Parliament. After a 1,100km journey from Te Hāpua to ...
12/10/2026

On this day in 1975, Dame Whina Cooper led the Māori Land March to Parliament.

After a 1,100km journey from Te Hāpua to Wellington, a hīkoi that began with just 50 marchers arrived at Parliament alongside more than 5,000 supporters. Together they presented a petition signed by 60,000 people to Prime Minister Bill Rowling, calling attention to the ongoing loss of Māori land.

The hīkoi remains a defining moment in the history of Aotearoa.

-

Image: Archives New Zealand, Public Works Department collection. Māori Land March arriving at Parliament, Wellington, 13 October 1975. Reference: ABKK 24414 W4358 539.

Rā Whānau Queen Carmen! Happy 90th birthday! Today we celebrate the life, legacy, glamour, generosity, and unapologetic ...
09/10/2026

Rā Whānau Queen Carmen! Happy 90th birthday!

Today we celebrate the life, legacy, glamour, generosity, and unapologetic spirit of Carmen Rupe.

A proud Libra, Carmen knew how to make an entrance. Business owner, activist, community leader, and Wellington icon, she left an indelible mark on the city she called home.

These photographs were taken by Fiona Clark at Carmen's 70th birthday celebration in Wellington, where she arrived in a specially made blue gown and celebrated with hundreds of friends, supporters, and admirers. During the celebrations, Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast presented Carmen with the keys to the city, while the event raised funds for the Chrissy Witoko Memorial Trust.

Today on what would have been her 90th birthday, we raise a cup and saucer to the Queen of Wellington with aroha and gratitude 💙

More than 1,000 young artists from across Wellington are exhibiting their work in CASTOMANIAC, a series of exhibitions d...
05/10/2026

More than 1,000 young artists from across Wellington are exhibiting their work in CASTOMANIAC, a series of exhibitions developed with City Gallery Wellington and inspired by the art and ideas of Cornelia Parker.

From collected treasures and transformed everyday objects to imaginative installations, these exhibitions showcase the creativity and curiosity of tamariki and rangatahi from across the region.

📍 Rice Pudding | 91 Constable Street | 6–10 October
📍 Artists 24.7 | 247 Riddiford Street | 5–11 October
📍 Subculture | 180 Riddiford Street | 5–11 October

A wonderful showcase of the creativity of Wellington's tamariki and rangatahi.

The tea will be hot. The stories even hotter... 💋☕ To mark what would have been Carmen Rupe's 90th birthday, we're hosti...
05/10/2026

The tea will be hot. The stories even hotter... 💋☕

To mark what would have been Carmen Rupe's 90th birthday, we're hosting a special high tea filled with stories, laughter, memories, and just a little bit of gossip.

While you enjoy your high tea, The Tīwhas will spill the tea with readings from Carmen's memoir My Life, Having a Ball!

Known for their wit, warmth, and larger-than-life performances, The Tīwhas will bring Carmen's words to life in what promises to be a rollercoaster of laughter and tears.

📅 Saturday 10 October | 11am–2pm
📍 Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum
🎟️ Tickets are limited. Book now: https://www.museumswellington.org.nz/ra-whanau-queen-carmen/

🎬🎬🎬 GIVEAWAY CLOSED 🎬🎬🎬 Congrats to our winners Samantha Young and Leeann Worrall. We're teaming up with our friends at...
05/10/2026

🎬🎬🎬 GIVEAWAY CLOSED 🎬🎬🎬

Congrats to our winners Samantha Young and Leeann Worrall.

We're teaming up with our friends at Madman Entertainment NZ to give away two double passes to see Big Girls Don't Cry.

Set in a small New Zealand beach town during the summer of 2006, Big Girls Don't Cry is a q***r coming-of-age story about first crushes, fitting in, and figuring out who you are. Executive produced by Jane Campion, it's a nostalgic and heartfelt slice of adolescence in Aotearoa.

HOW TO ENTER

💙 Like this post
💙 Follow Wellington Museum
💙 Tag a friend

1 comment = 1 entry

Enter as many times as you like.

The winners will be randomly selected on Wednesday 7 October. Ts & Cs apply: https://www.museumswellington.org.nz/terms-conditions/

Note: Please be aware of scam accounts pretending to be Wellington Museum. We’ll edit this post with the winners’ names.

Arohanui, Carmen xx is now open. Step into Carmen's world through glamorous outfits, intimate photographs, unseen archi...
02/10/2026

Arohanui, Carmen xx is now open.

Step into Carmen's world through glamorous outfits, intimate photographs, unseen archives, treasured taonga, and stories from across an extraordinary life.

📅 3 October 2026–18 February 2027
📍 Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum
🎟️ Admission fees apply. Book online or at our front desk: https://www.museumswellington.org.nz/arohanui-carmen-xx/

Tomorrow the Queen of Wellington returns 💋 While searching through photos of Carmen Rupe, we spotted a familiar building...
02/10/2026

Tomorrow the Queen of Wellington returns 💋

While searching through photos of Carmen Rupe, we spotted a familiar building in the background.

This 2005 snap of Carmen at the opening of Wellington Museum's Telling Tales exhibition features in our new exhibition Arohanui, Carmen xx. A very special thanks to Scott Kennedy and Malcolm Vaughan for loaning us their print, which is usually displayed at the iconic S&M's Cocktail Bar.

More than 20 years later, we're honoured to welcome Carmen back to the museum.

Arohanui, Carmen xx celebrates the life, legacy, glamour, and impact of Carmen through intimate photographs, personal treasures, unseen archives, and more.

📅 3 October 2026–18 February 2027
📍 Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum
🎟️ Admission fees apply. Book online or at our front desk: https://www.museumswellington.org.nz/arohanui-carmen-xx/

[QUIET HOUR] Need a quieter museum experience? Tomorrow from 4pm–5pm, Wellington Museum will host Low Sensory Hour. With...
29/09/2026

[QUIET HOUR] Need a quieter museum experience?

Tomorrow from 4pm–5pm, Wellington Museum will host Low Sensory Hour. With softened sounds and dimmed lighting, visitors can explore the museum at their own pace in a more relaxed environment.

Learn more about our accessibility initiatives here: https://www.museumswellington.org.nz/accessibility-wellington-museum/

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Wellington
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