Te Papa

Te Papa Tongarewa opened in 1998 beside Wellington harbour. Its collections cover natural history, Māori and Pacific culture, art and New Zealand history.

What is inside

The standouts include the Gallipoli exhibition, built with Weta Workshop, where the First World War story is told through giant, detailed figures. There is a preserved colossal squid, an interactive earthquake house, the Māori collections with a carved meeting house, and changing art and history galleries. With six floors it is easy to spend half a day, so it helps to pick a couple of themes rather than walk every room.

International visitors aged 16 and over pay NZ$35 for Te Papa entry, valid for 48 hours. Entry is free for New Zealanders, people living in New Zealand and international visitors under 16. Some exhibitions, experiences and guided tours cost extra. Open 10am–6pm except Christmas Day.

Official information · Checked 16 October 2026

Te Papa is at 55 Cable Street. From Wellington railway station, allow about 20 minutes on foot along the waterfront. Nearby bus stops are a separate short walk.

From the airport, allow about 15 minutes by car in light traffic; buses take their own route plus a walk. Interislander and Bluebridge use different terminals: follow the booked operator’s check-in and transfer directions, not a blanket walking-time claim. Museum directions.

Te Papa is indoors, so it works in any weather, which is exactly why it is the standard plan on one of Wellington's frequent wet and windy days. School holidays and weekends are the busiest, especially around the interactive exhibits that children love, so a weekday morning is the quietest time to visit. It opens daily and a visit fits easily into a half day. If a special exhibition is on, going early or late in the day avoids the worst of the queues for the ticketed parts.

• Pick a couple of floors or themes rather than trying to see it all.
• Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the family crowds.
• Save it for a wet, windy day, which Wellington has plenty of.
• Walk from the city centre; you do not need to drive or park.
• Book special exhibition tickets online ahead in peak periods.
• Leave time for the Gallipoli exhibition; it is the standout.