Exhibition: 17 September 2025 – 7 March 2026
Central City Library
Lupe I Vao Ese
Experience a new Pacific heritage exhibition at Auckland’s Central City Library!
The phrase "Lupe I Vao Ese" is a poetic metaphor from Gagana Sāmoa, translating as "doves in different pastures". It expresses how measina – the cultural treasures of Moana Oceania – travel across time and place, carrying the voices of ancestors into the present and beyond.
What you’ll see
The exhibition features rare and evocative items from across the Pacific, drawn from Auckland Libraries’ Heritage Collections and items on loan from Pasifika specialists. Discover printed material, artwork and soundscapes that celebrate the enduring presence of measina in Aotearoa, including:
- Etchings from Cook’s Pacific expeditions (18th–19th century)
- Pacific ephemera, rare books, newspapers, and albums
- Digital and audio material from the 19th to 21st centuries
- Measina from across the Pacific, loaned from Pasifika specialists
- Preview display in the Atrium and a related Noken showcase on Level 1
Visit the exhibition
Come along to the Gallery to browse the collection at your own pace. No booking required.
The Gallery, Level 2, Central City Library | Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero
- Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm
- Saturday, 10am – 5pm
- Closed Sundays and public holidays
Parking and public transport
Central City Library has three Mobility parking spaces on Rutland Street right next to the library building.
For more information about parking and public transport, we recommend the Auckland Transport website. Go to AT's Auckland Central parking page or use the Journey Planner to find a bus or train route.
Events and programmes
Explore measina in new contexts through interesting talks, hands-on workshops, curtator tours and more. Inspired by Auckland Libraries' Pasifika Heritage Collections and supported by the City Centre Targeted Rate.
LIVE Day: Measina in motion
Saturday 15 November, 11am-3pm at Central City Library
Central City Library will transform into a multi-level experience that celebrates Pasifika knowledge systems, creativity, and community. Each floor becomes a site of encounter:
Ground floor
Maker's market: 11am–3pm
Browse handmade crafts, jewelry, prints and more by Pasifika creatives. This market will have something for everyone and could be your perfect place to get a head start on your gift shopping for Christmas. Coordinated by Lofa Totua of Filemu Zine.
VR learning for kids: 11am–3pm. Drop-in session.
Inviting tamariki and whanau to come along and learn about Pasifika storytelling and cultures through a virtual reality (VR) headset. Experience community-made digital resources that highlight how Pacific communities carry their histories by way of song, dance and more. Read more about Pacific Kids' Learning (PKL).
Level 1
Kava session with Taki Lewa: 12pm–3pm. Drop-in session.
Aligned with the moon cycles, Taki Lewa creates space for talanoa, blending traditional knowledge with astrological insights to guide conversation. Ancient rhythms and modern understandings meet, fostering connection and healing.
With kava as a medium, Taki Lewa is an intentional space, with booklets designed to ground and spark meaningful talanoa about connection, healing, and growth.
Level 2
Lalaga weaving with Dahlina Taueu: 11am–1pm. Book your free ticket.
Learn to weave a Niuean lili (wall hanging) with South Auckland visual artist Dahlina Taueu. Get started in a unique handicraft that helps keep the culture alive through the generations. Read more about Dahlina's mahi.
Diorama workshop with Esther Mauga: 12pm–3pm. Drop-in session.
Make your own mini living room diorama with Esther Mauga. Participants will be shown how to make their own miniature furniture and home sets inspired by our living room activation at the Lupe I Vao Ese exhibition. Suitable for ages 10+.
Curator tours
Join Curator Pasifika Pamata Toleafoa for a deep dive into the stories behind Lupe I Vao Ese exhibition at Central City Library.
Drop in at 1pm on LIVE Day, 15 November or see more available dates
