Because Learning is Fun!
New Zealand‘s national museum is the telling of the extraordinary New Zealand history in the most interactive and fun way possible!
What is the Te Papa Museum?
The Te Papa Museum is an in-depth and informative experience of what Aotearoa/New Zealand is all about, from its geological origin to its native species, as well as its human history. It’s far from your dusty and dingy museums. Take a look at the list below for some of the best permanent exhibitions in the Te Papa Museum.
What is the Admission Price for Te Papa?
Te Papa Museum is free for New Zealanders and NZ$35 for international visitors aged 16+ years (valid for 48 hours, so you can return within that timeframe at no extra cost).
There are many more temporary exhibitions, either free or with a small charge, to see too. Plus, guided tours are a great way to get more out of your Te Papa visit.
Where is Te Papa Museum Located?
How do you find the Te Papa Museum? It’s quite hard to miss: the Te Papa Museum is pointed to by hundreds of signs in Wellington city centre. It is located at 55 Cable Street. Also note that there is an entry fee for international tourists, although the museum is free for locals.
Have a look at our Wellington Travel Guide for more awesome things to do in New Zealand’s capital city.
Table of Contents
1. Te Taiao | Nature
New Zealand is all about unique wildlife. The Te Taiao | Nature exhibit aims to give you a sample of New Zealand’sincredibly diverse fauna and flora.
The exhibition also includes the “Colossal Squid”, the world’s only complete specimen of a colossal squid!
© Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa2. Whakarūaumoko | Active Land
Probably the most memorable of the museum, this exhibition gives you a hands-on experience of the power of the earth.
This geological power created New Zealand and shaped its amazing landscape.
Head inside the “Earthquake House!” for a real shakeup.
© Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa3. Bush City
This exhibition is more about “doing” than “seeing”. Climb a lava flow, dig for fossils, walk through wetlands, cross a swing bridge, and visit a glowworm cave.
Bush City is a fun peek inside New Zealand’s native bushland.
© Te Papa Museum - Tourism NZ4. Blood Earth Fire
Learn about the extreme transformation of the New Zealand landscape since man set foot on the islands.
See a short film where Kiwis talk about their own tūrangawaewae (place of belonging).
© Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa5. Mana Whenua
Showcasing contemporary art and ancient crafts, the Mana Whenua exhibition invites you to embrace the best of Māori culture.
A huge Marae (traditional Māori meeting house) and more carvings than you can count will amaze you while discovering traditional tribe stories.
Vamp up the experience by taking a Māori Highlights Tour.
© Te Papa Museum - Tourism NZ6. Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War
What entered the museum as a temporary exhibition became so good that it is now an iconic part of the fixtures.
Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War is a collaboration with Wētā Workshop to tell the story of eight New Zealanders during the World War One Gallipoli campaign through towering and vivid sculptures.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Signs of a Nation
New Zealand’s founding document is the Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 by over 500 Māori chiefs.
This exhibition looks back at the creation of the document and its impact on the relationship between European settlers and Māori tribes.
Until you get to Te Papa, have a look at our What is Waitangi Day? for a quick history lesson.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Passports
Immigration is the main topic of almost every political campaign in any country, but more than that, it is about people bringing their lives into a country. By doing so, helping to create a country’s unique identity.
The Passports exhibition presents stories of migrants from all origins, from their journey to get down here to their impact on New Zealand.
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Truly Amazing Staff
With over 20 to 30 exhibitions, the museum has much more to offer than the ones stated above. This would not be possible without the amazing staff of the museum.
We have never been to a museum with staff more passionate, friendly and helpful. If you have a question, turn to a staff member. They are awesome!
Not to take anything away from the staff working behind the scenes to make these exhibitions so great.
© Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa10. Free Wifi
Some of you may value this more than others, but the Te Papa Museum offers free WiFi to visitors.
To be honest, this is one of the best free WiFi spots you’ll get anywhere in New Zealand. It works pretty well, plus, sending a message to your family directly from a museum is the best way to show them how much you are learning during this trip abroad! Right?
Check out the 10 Free Wi-Fi Spots in New Zealand Where You’ll Actually Have a Good Connection for more places to get internet in Wellington.
© NZPocketGuide.comMore About Wellington and Te Papa Museum
That’s it for our guide to Te Papa Museum; for more information about Wellington and its top attractions, check out the following articles:
- Where to Stay in Wellington: The 50 Best Accommodations
- 25 Wellington Must-Dos
- 15 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Wellington
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Wellington.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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