Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Papa Tongarewa! Welcome to our national museum, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa!

Since its opening in 1998, Te Papa has built a worldwide reputation for its fresh and bold approach to presenting a nation’s treasures and stories. In that time, over ten million people have come to enjoy this unique museum experience.

Te Papa is a waharoa, a gateway, to an encounter with the essence of New Zealand’s land and people. Wonderful taonga (Māori cultural treasures), art, and objects are presented through fascinating stories, thought-provoking interpretations, and engaging interactives.

Over the five floors of our huge building you can explore the breadth of the New Zealand story - from the shaping of its land to the spirit of its diverse peoples, from its unique wildlife to its distinctive visual culture.

You will encounter Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous people, through authentic portrayals of their traditions and living culture as well as Te Papa’s unique Marae (communal meeting place), a setting that all visitors are encouraged to connect with.

Underpinning the exhibition experience are Te Papa’s collections, managed and made accessible by world-class curatorship. The collections are developed and enhanced by ongoing programmes of research.

Te Papa is a place that welcomes visitors of all ages and interests. Along with stimulating exhibitions there are also engaging and fun presentations, including an animated theatre, motion simulator rides into the past and future, and interactives such as a virtual bungy-jump. With its hands-on learning areas and interactivity, Te Papa is a wonderful place for children.

To complement your visit there is a vibrant and constantly changing programme of events and entertainment.