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Event

Rā o te Whānau: Te au kakara i te moana

24 January 2026 - 24 January 2026

10 am–3 pm

Region(s): Wellington

Type(s): experiences

Come along to Te Papa for a free day of family activities exploring the connection between the whenua and the moana.

Learn about different seaweed varieties, the importance of our native plants and how they keep our natural ecology in balance. Hear about the importance of sustainability in our environment and the ways we can help to protect it into the future for generations. 

Activties

  • Learn about our diverse seaweed species in Aotearoa and how to identify them with Mountains to Sea

  • Take a workshop in drum and dance to the rhythms of Tokelau with storytellers the Kupega Affect

  • Make your own Moana-inspired crayon pāreu (sarong) designs and learn about how we can protect our ocean with the Pacific Climate Warriors

  • Listen to a live reading session of I Love My Island by Moemoana Asfa'ato'a Schwenke,  narrated by Inangaro Vakaafi

  • Learn about growing native plants and take a cutting home with Te Rito Gardens

  • Get your face painted with fun creatures and plants from our sea and land by Daizy Designs

  • Paint watercolours inspired by artist, botanist, and seaweed expert Nancy Adams

  • Learn about Te Papa’s Collections from their art and botany curators.

For more information: www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events/whanau-day-the-sweet-aroma-of-the-ocean-breeze.

Location: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Related content

Love Rimurimu – an ocean of potential for seaweed is a year-long inquiry supported by Mountains to Sea – with exploration in the classroom and in the field. You can also dip into resources covering biodiversity, human impacts and restoration for short-term studies. Several resources are in te reo Māori, courtesy of Te Aho Tū Roa.

Discover the mātauranga that underpins pōhā – bags made from rimurapa, a species of bull kelp, that preserve tītī (muttonbirds) for up to 2 years.

The citizen science project Floating Forests needs the help of citizen scientists to identify kelp forests from satellite images.

See our Seaweed and algae Pinterest board for more resource ideas.

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Glossary

Published: 16 January 2026
Referencing Hub media

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