Visit Te Papa in Wellington: New Zealand’s National Museum

Te papa is a museum like no other. New Zealand’s interactive national museum is a must-visit. Te Papa’s vision for the future is changing hearts, minds, and lives. They view their role as a forum for the nation to present, explore, and preserve the heritage of its cultures and knowledge of the natural environment. If you’re new to New Zealand, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa should be at the top of your to-do list. This national museum is a must-do, with six storeys of cutting-edge interactive exhibitions housed in an architectural wonder of a building. But if the phrase ‘national museum’ conjures images of dusty artefacts in glass cases, you might not have been to Te Papa yet. Te Papa’s clever, contemporary and bicultural approach puts it in a league of its own.

What does the name “Te Papa Tongarewa” mean?

‘Te Papa Tongarewa’, translates literally to ‘container of treasures’. A fuller interpretation is ‘our container of treasured things and people that spring from mother earth here in New Zealand’.

For visitors who are unfamiliar with Māori culture, start with the Mana Whenua exhibition. Spending time in this space is a powerful way to understand New Zealand’s indigenous people, with a blend of artefacts and modern art that explains how our nation’s heritage is so essential to our modern-day culture. Get even more from your visit with a guided tour, a coffee in one of our cafes, and browse for a gift in our stores. Check out all the amazing exhibitions today!

  • Open every day
  • 10:00 to 18:00
  • Free entry for everyone
  • If you’re short on time, book in for a guided tour

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