Jody Wyllie

Te Hau

Our last taonga is not just an object, but a sacred place, and an "encyclopedia" of the history, traditions and art and culture of the people of Rongowhakaata.

Jody Wyllie and Te Hau ki Tūranga

Pippa Blake

This is a story about one of the most magical victories in New Zealand's sporting history, and the inspiring legacy that it has left in its wake.

Ours: Lady Pippa Blake and NZL32 

This is one of the most well-loved songs of the Pacific and its beautiful, wistful quality still endures - 100 years on from its debut.

Ema Tavola and the Isa Lei song 

These knitted creations are a Topp tribute to the beloved alter-egos of New Zealand's most famous folk-singing/yodelling/comedy duo.

The Topp Twins and the dolls

Pauline Cowens

This spiky item helped a relatively unknown New Zealand athlete seize gold, and instant fame, at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Pauline Cowens and the Snell Shoe

Ngila Dickson

What happens when Greek mythology meets modern pop culture feminism, with a bit of Kiwi battler thrown in?

Ngila Dickson and the Xena costume

This patu parāoa (whalebone hand weapon) used during the New Zealand Wars offers a window or "little cobweb” into New Zealand’s past.

Googie Tapsell and the Patu Parāoa

Leah McFall

This little object is so small it could fit in your pocket, yet it's a powerful symbol of one woman's courage and activism in very difficult conditions.

Leah McFall and the Suffragette medal

Jamie Tuuta

William Strutt's painted depiction of the New Zealand Wars may be almost 160 years old but, amid recent claims of racism and propaganda, it’s making headlines in 2018.

Jamie Tuuta and the Strutt Painting

This nocturnal creature doesn't have the prettiest mugshot and can appear a little intimidating with its tusks, barbs, and armour.

Sir Richard Taylor and the wētā 

Noelle McCarthy and 20 taonga from Te Papa that have helped shape our nation's identity

Elisapeta Fononga

The story of a nation is more than great works of art, turbulent moments of history and dramatic discoveries. Sometimes you can see the truth of a country in a piece of fish with a scoop of chips.

Elisapeta Fononga and the fish shop uniform

Eric London

It looks like a bit of wood, but it tells a much bigger story of immigration and inspiration. A story as big as a dinosaur.

Eric London and the first ever dinosaur tooth

Anthony Byrt

Colin McCahon

I am scared is about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It's a universal theme, but its depiction by this great New Zealand artist could only have been painted here.

Anthony Byrt and Colin McCahon's 'I am scared'

What has the biggest eyes in the world, blue blood and three hearts? Sam Cousins knows and it's a bit of natural science that connects us to the oceans surrounding us.

Sam and the colossal squid

Theresa Healey

In the 1970s New Zealand started to find its own voice through mass media, and that included imported children's television. Ready to knock? Turn the lock.

Theresa Healey and the Play School toys

Mike Bush

John Minto

The '81 Springbok Tour woke and divided New Zealand, but this week's object and its champion are a surprising combination that shows just how far we've come.

Mike Bush and John Minto's Springbok Tour helmet

Jeremy Wells

Before humans, New Zealand was a land of birds. Our recent efforts to save them have sparked some heroic stories... but also some, er, quirky ones. Such as the kakapo ejaculation helmet.

Jeremy Wells and a Kākāpō ejaculation helmet 

Julian Wilcox

Jonah Lomu

Jonah Lomu steamrolled Mike Catt and, as former TV host Julian Wilcox recalls, changed the game of rugby forever. But this treasure about much more than sport.

Julian Wilcox and Jonah Lomu's PlayStation video game

Jacinda Ardern

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has a favourite item at Te Papa and in episode two, we discover that while it speaks to her of endurance, it's probably not what you might expected.

Jacinda Ardern and Ernest Shackleton's sled

Anne Salmond

The first object comes from the moment of 'first contact'. Historian Dame Anne Salmond talks about the silver ferns collected by the Endeavour and how New Zealand was born in science.

Ours: Dame Anne Salmond and the silver fern

Ours: Treasures from Te Papa

What is this?
1 quote, 3 ideas & 1 question from a carefully curated podcast episode.
Every Monday & Wednesday.

Want a 3rd insight and episode every week? Email me at curation@owltail.com.

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