Overview
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is No. 75 in The Art Newspaper's survey of the world's most visited art museums, with 1,023,412 visitors in 2025, down 11% on 2024. Opened in 1998 on the Wellington waterfront, it is New Zealand's national museum and art gallery.
Its name means 'container of treasures'. The museum combines art, history, Māori and Pacific culture and the natural world under one roof.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings are usually quieter, except when school groups visit. Check the official website for hours.
Highlights & collections
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1
Toi Art
New Zealand's national art collection, with historical and contemporary works.
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2
Rongomaraeroa marae
A contemporary marae (meeting place) with a carved meeting house.
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3
Māori and Pacific treasures
Taonga including carvings, canoes and cloaks.
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4
Colossal squid
A rare specimen of the giant deep-sea squid.
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5
Earthquake house
Feel a simulated earthquake in the nature galleries.
Getting there
Te Papa is at 55 Cable Street, on the waterfront in central Wellington, about 15 to 20 minutes' walk from Wellington railway station along the harbour.
Visiting tips
- Tickets & hours
- Check the official website for current entry prices and hours; some exhibitions charge.
- Time needed
- Three hours or more.
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar (NZD). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Visa & entry
- Citizens of visa-waiver countries, including the US, Canada, the UK and EU countries, need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before travelling; Australian citizens do not. Apply only through the official NZeTA app or immigration.govt.nz.
Official information: Te Papa (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.
Map
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