Te Papa Tongarewa
Wellington · New Zealand · Founded 1998
Quick answer
Te Papa Tongarewa — 'the place of treasures of this land' in Māori — opened in 1998 on the Wellington waterfront as New Zealand's national museum. Open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (extended hours in summer). Admission: free admission to permanent collections; special exhibitions may require a ticket. Allow 2–4 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Te Papa Tongarewa at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (extended hours in summer) |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free admission to permanent collections; special exhibitions may require a ticket |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–4 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 10 AM opening. |
| Getting there | Walk: 15 minutes from Wellington Railway Station along the waterfront |
| Address | 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand |
| Official website | tepapa.govt.nz |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Te Papa Tongarewa known for?
Te Papa Tongarewa — 'the place of treasures of this land' in Māori — opened in 1998 on the Wellington waterfront as New Zealand's national museum.
The building, designed by architects Jasmax, spans six floors along the harbour foreshore and draws over 1.5 million visitors annually — one of the most visited destinations in New Zealand.
Te Papa is bicultural by design — telling the stories of both Māori and Pākehā (European) New Zealand through interactive, accessible galleries that prioritise engagement over traditional display.
Free admission to permanent collections makes it a no-risk visit and an essential stop for any trip to Wellington.
Best for: Families · History Enthusiasts · First-timers
How long do you need at Te Papa Tongarewa?
Allow 2–4 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Te Papa Tongarewa without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Te Hau ki Tūranga
📍 Te Marae, Level 4
The oldest surviving Māori meeting house — carved by Rongowhakaata artisans and confiscated by the Crown in 1867.
- 2
Colossal Squid
📍 Mountains to Sea, Level 2
One of the largest colossal squid specimens ever preserved — 495 kg with eyes the size of footballs.
- 3
Earthquake House
📍 Awesome Forces, Level 2
A simulated earthquake experience based on the 1987 Edgecumbe quake — visitors stand in a Wellington kitchen as the room shakes.
- 4
Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War
📍 Level 2
Four times life-size figures of ANZAC soldiers created by Weta Workshop — a emotionally devastating exhibition about New Zealand's Gallipoli campaign.
What are the must-see works at Te Papa Tongarewa?
4 highlights that define the collection: Te Hau ki Tūranga, Colossal Squid, Earthquake House and more.
Te Hau ki Tūranga
Rongowhakaata carvers · 1842
📍 Te Marae, Level 4
The oldest surviving Māori meeting house — carved by Rongowhakaata artisans and confiscated by the Crown in 1867. Returned to Te Papa as a symbol of bicultural partnership.
Colossal Squid
Nature · Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni
📍 Mountains to Sea, Level 2
One of the largest colossal squid specimens ever preserved — 495 kg with eyes the size of footballs. Caught in the Ross Sea in 2007.
Earthquake House
Interactive exhibit
📍 Awesome Forces, Level 2
A simulated earthquake experience based on the 1987 Edgecumbe quake — visitors stand in a Wellington kitchen as the room shakes. One of Te Papa's most popular exhibits.
Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War
Weta Workshop · 2015
📍 Level 2
Four times life-size figures of ANZAC soldiers created by Weta Workshop — a emotionally devastating exhibition about New Zealand's Gallipoli campaign.
Collections and highlights
- • Te Marae — Māori meeting house and taonga
- • Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War by Weta Workshop
- • Colossal squid and natural history
- • Earthquake House and Awesome Forces
- • Pacific cultures gallery
- • New Zealand art and photography
Tips for visiting Te Papa Tongarewa
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 10 AM opening. Gallipoli exhibition is quietest before 11 AM.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Very busy during school holidays and rainy days. Gallipoli and earthquake house draw the longest waits.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Free permanent collections. Gallipoli and special exhibitions may require free timed tickets.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Espresso café and Te Papa café inside; Wellington waterfront restaurants on Cable Street.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible. All six floors reachable by lift. Wheelchairs available.
How do you get to Te Papa Tongarewa?
- walk 15 minutes from Wellington Railway Station along the waterfront
- bus Multiple routes to Cable Street on the waterfront
- car Paid parking at Te Papa; 20 minutes from Wellington Airport
Address: 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Te Papa Tongarewa: frequently asked questions
What does Te Papa mean?
Te Papa Tongarewa translates from Māori as 'the place of treasures of this land'. The name reflects the museum's bicultural foundation — it is both a national museum of New Zealand and a guardian of Māori cultural heritage.
Is Te Papa worth visiting for non-New Zealanders?
Yes — Te Papa is one of the finest museum experiences in the Pacific region. The Māori and Pacific collections are of international significance, and the natural history and earthquake exhibit are compelling for all visitors. Free admission makes it a no-risk visit.
How long does a visit take?
A thorough visit covering all six floors takes a full day. The most visited sections — the Māori collection, the giant squid, and the earthquake house — can be covered in 2–3 hours.
How long should I spend at Te Papa Tongarewa?
Plan 2–4 hours for the highlights of Te Papa Tongarewa. Our 4-stop route — Te Hau ki Tūranga, Colossal Squid, Earthquake House and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Te Papa Tongarewa best known for?
Te Papa Tongarewa — 'the place of treasures of this land' in Māori — opened in 1998 on the Wellington waterfront as New Zealand's national museum. The building, designed by architects Jasmax, spans six floors along the Wellington harbour foreshore and is one of the most visited destinations in New Zealand, drawing over 1.5 million visitors annually. Key highlights include Te Marae — a living ancestral meeting house and the spiritual heart of the museum, Giant squid — one of the largest colossal squid specimens ever preserved, The Māori collection — among the most significant taonga collections in the world.
How do I get tickets for Te Papa Tongarewa?
Free admission to permanent collections; special exhibitions may require a ticket. You can walk in without a ticket; paid exhibitions are booked separately. Official site: https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/
Is Te Papa Tongarewa open on Mondays?
Yes — Te Papa Tongarewa is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (extended hours in summer). Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are Te Papa Tongarewa's opening hours?
Te Papa Tongarewa is open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (extended hours in summer). Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Te Papa Tongarewa free to visit?
Yes — free admission to permanent collections; special exhibitions may require a ticket.