The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (a bit of a mouthful, we know), commonly known as Te Papa, is New Zealand’s national museum and art gallery. The name Te Papa Tongarewa translates from Māori as “the place of treasures of this land” a fitting description for one of the country’s most important cultural attractions.
Located on the Wellington waterfront, Te Papa features six floors of diverse and immersive exhibitions. These explore New Zealand’s unique natural environment, the surrounding oceans, and the people who have shaped the nation’s past and present.
A visit to Te Papa takes you on a journey through New Zealand’s history, from pre-human New Zealand - home to extraordinary, now-extinct creatures such as the moa, through Māori settlement and European arrival, right up to life in the 21st century.
As New Zealand’s national museum and gallery, Te Papa offers far more than traditional exhibitions. There are regular events and interactive experiences for all ages, including fashion showcases such as New Zealand in Vogue and immersive stories of early encounters between Pacific, Māori and European peoples.
One of the must-see attractions is the Quake Braker exhibition, located just outside the main entrance. It offers a fascinating insight into modern earthquake-protection engineering, including views of the massive shock absorbers installed beneath Te Papa itself.
Engaging, educational and endlessly varied, Te Papa is widely regarded as one of the best things to do in Wellington. With so much to explore, it’s easy to spend more than a single day discovering everything this iconic museum has to offer.
Every experience we create is tailored to you. Tell us what inspires you, and we’ll design a New Zealand trip you’ll never forget.
