Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Wonderful National Museum. The exhibits are some of the best, very realistic and well maintained. The cultural section of the museum showcased the impressive skills and history of The Maori. The Gallipoli exhibit was informative and captured battles and wartime conditions in an accurate, thoughtful manner. This museum is one of the best we've had the pleasure of visiting. Well worth the trip.

I was absolutely amazed by the Te Papa museum! It’s one of the best museums I’ve ever visited. There are so many interactive displays — you can touch, explore, and truly experience everything. It's not just about looking at things behind glass; it’s about learning through doing. The exhibitions are modern, creative, and very engaging. My children loved it! There were so many hands-on activities that kept them curious and excited the whole time. Every section had something special to offer, from natural history to New Zealand's culture and art. Te Papa does a fantastic job of making learning fun for both kids and adults. We spent hours there and still didn’t see everything. I also really appreciated how well-organized and welcoming the space was. I highly recommend visiting Te Papa if you're in Wellington. It’s not just a museum — a whole experience that will stay with you long.

I came here to kill some time while waiting for my room to be ready, and I ended up totally enjoying it! It was a great experience that helped me understand more about New Zealand — its nature, geography, anthropology, energy, history, navigation, and so much more. Everything was clearly explained in both English and Māori. I was also impressed by how well the museum is designed to engage people of all ages. There are drawing stations for kids and interactive exhibits that make the visit fun and educational.

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa was absolutely amazing! What stood out straight away was the amount of free exhibitions—perfect for keeping the whole family entertained without having to spend a fortune. There was so much to explore and something for everyone. One of my favourite parts was the exhibition on extinct birds and animals. It was really fascinating and well put together. The Earthquake House was another highlight—such a cool (and slightly nerve-wracking!) way to experience what an earthquake might feel like. They also had a special exhibition on the war in Gallipoli, which completely blew me away. The detail on the statues was just insane—incredibly lifelike and powerful, making the whole experience so moving and memorable. Overall, Te Papa isn’t just a place to kill time—it’s genuinely a place where you can learn, experience, and enjoy so much about New Zealand’s rich culture, history, and natural world. It was an awesome time, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting Wellington!

We enjoyed the museum very much. We have been before a few times. We only had time for a short visit so spent it in the pacific area admiring the carving on the waka ( canoes ) a beautiful Pataka ( food store ) and the various photographs and interesting information in this display. I liked the outrigger canoes as well. I am quite astounded at the craftsmanship which allowed such long ocean voyages in all conditions.There was much much more than I can describe here. If you can go it's really worth a visit.

A first class museum on the global stage! This comprehensive museum is a must when visiting New Zealand. The telling of the national stories are told respectfully and truthfully. So much to see here. Allow at least half a day and you may get around most of this excellent museum. Here are some photos from our visit!

A very interesting and informative museum. The Gallipoli exhibition is a must see. Lots of interesting topics from the treaty through a future vision for cities. 5 floors of exhibits to see and no time limit. There are also 2 cafes on-site that are worth visiting

A fabulous museum with incredibly well constructed exhibits! This one is a real credit to Wellington!!! The current Gallipoli exhibit really is fabulous done. A strong recommend from me!

New Zealand's national museum is "Te Papa" which is Māori for 'the treasure box' and it does look a lot like a jewelry box. I did want to see the Gallipoli exhibit but it was slammed all three times I walked past. Instead, lots of art and history. There's a space on the roof with a patio and a fabulous view. I spent over two hours. It was a great time. Oh, and it's free. [Review 479 of 2024 - 129 in New Zealand - 21511 overall]

This is one of the most incredible museums I've ever been to! And it's free?! This is an absolute must while visiting Wellington. I'm so glad we did this at the start our our NZ travels, because we learned so much about NZ wildlife, Maori culture, and NZ history. It took us two visits to get to everything - you could spend (and we did) hours alone in the wildlife section! There's so much to learn about wildlife that's unique to NZ and their conservation efforts. The Gallipoli war exhibition shocked us - the larger-than-life figures of soldiers were a work of art and a sight to behold! No detail was overlooked - from the hair on the soldier's arms to the sweat on their brow - just incredible. We came back another day to go through the top floors of the museum. The highlight was the Maori exhibition - what an incredible display of cultural heritage, artifacts, and photos. The wooden boats were impressive (Moana fans, you'll love this!) and we hopped onto one of the free talks a museum guide was doing which gave extra insight to Maori culture and traditions. The cafe is delightful and has a wide array of delicious hand pies, desserts, and cafe drinks. The outdoor area is simple but a cool look at flora and fauna. I can't say enough about this museum - absolute must-do!

Quality/Quantity - Even before you walk in, you can see the beautiful, unique architecture, see pictures. It was nice to start my day with another cup of HOT coffee. It was very cold today; it almost started to rain??? The highlight of this museum was the Gallipoli, the scale of our war exhibit. Crazy busy and a few bottle necks while walking the exhibit. Also many interactive exhibits, displays. Actually, there were so many different exhibits that listing it will NOT do it justice; you will just have to visit yourself! Atmosphere - Huge museum. Well organized, clean, etc. Also a good size cafe with reasonable prices, see pictures. They also have complimentary water. Good for all ages, but very kid friendly. All the "kids" here actually seemed like they wanted to be here! Many school tours. Many kids of all ages! Open 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm. Service - Good. Price - Free, thank you! Please donate. Owner Comment - Thank you for such a great free museum.

Wonderful museum. Well curated for all ages and interests. The early admission for the Gallipoli exhibit was worth the $ , for the docent provided a good introduction to the exhibition. Plus I did not have to doges people until about 10:30.

I feel like I don't even need to review Te Papa based on how highly it is already reviewed here, but just in case you aren't convinced yet, I am adding my thumbs up to the growing gaggle of them :-) This museum is so well laid out and modern, it is just a breeze to get through and lose yourself in. The cost of admission is whatever you would like to donate/pay, and you can't beat that price! Our favorite was the Gallipoli (Scale of Our War) exhibit. We had just come from Weta (who created these massive human models) and heard the story behind their construction. It was so neat to see the finished exhibit in person. There was a wide range of exhibits, from the indigenous people of New Zealand to modern day civil rights throughout the world, and so much more! The cafe in the foyer was also wonderful and affordable, if you are spending the afternoon in Te Papa and feeling peckish. Art, history, culture - this is not a stop to miss while in Wellington!

Touring/cruising through NZ, we visited a handful of museums in all the major cities. Hands down, the best museum was Te Papa in Wellington. The great thing about NZ is that entry to most museums (aside from special exhibits) are free. A great idea to support history, education, whatever. This museum was exceptional for both art, culture, and history. The standout exhibit was the area devoted to the ANZAC involvement in the Battle of Gallipoli (WWI). This might be the most well done display of any military exhibit I've seen. Lots of facts, films, dioramas, artifacts, but the most memorable thing were the pieces made showing soldiers and others affected by the war. These recreations were 3 to 5 times normal size, and I believe made by Weta workshop (company that make special effects for LOR films). You have to see it to believe it. All I can say is WOW!

Awesome experience for tourists and locals. Hands on modern museum with a huge range of exhibits The most incredible thing is that it's free - except for some visiting or special exhibitions. Interesting building too. Well worth the visit.

Te Papa is the national museum, with permanent exhibitions on the natural world and the history of New Zealand and the Pacific, as well as an extensive collection of New Zealand art. The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, known as Te Papa, sits solidly on the waterfront, just a few feet from the market. On a rainy day, we could spend hours here. But, we were short on time & made a beeline for ​​Mana Whenua, an exhibition about New Zealand's Indigenous Maori people, which includes the historic Maori meeting house Te Hau ki Tūranga. It's also worthwhile spending some time learning about the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's foundational legal document. And children and adults alike will be captivated by the colors of the exhibition "Kaleidoscope: Abstract Aotearoa," especially those in a hypnotic kinetic sculpture by Rebecca Baumann.

Te Papa is a must if ever in Poneke / Wellington. It's honestly one of the best museums I've ever been to that really takes you through an overview of Aotearoa/ New Zealand all in a day's experience. Thankfully, it's also FREE. With many businesses closed for the New Year, we decided to spend our New Year's Day 2023 at Te Papa as it was recommended by a couple of friends and it was one of the best recommendations that we received. It was well curated showing the prominent presence of a well done WWI exhibit thru a collaboration with Weta but we were also equally impressed by the floor (I believe it was the third floor) that showcased the recent voyage made of various Māori people. Their culture and story was told well, revered and truly inspiring. Even their exhibit on their contribution to climate change and solar power depicted how much they prioritized the preservation of this earth. Many countries can look to New Zealand for some ideas on how to preserve our future. I hope that you get to enjoy Te Papa. Please make sure to build it into your day. You won't regret it.

lovely little stop--very interesting exhibits on nature in New Zealand, NZ in WWI, and Maori culture & art. and it was great that the museum entrance was free.

Encyclopedia museum covering culture, art, people, and more. Free admission, plan to spend 2 to 4 hours based on interests. Good for families and asks only.

Walking to the harbour on our first night in Wellington, we couldn't help by notice a huge gleaming building. It was Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand, and I'm grateful we found the time to visit. It's located right on the waterfront, with entrances on the city side. As it's meant to be enjoyed by all Kiwis and visitors alike, it's free to attend. Certain exhibits and events have a fee, but everything we saw was open. It's amazing, akin to the Smithsonian and other national institutions around the world. The entrance was welcoming in all glass, with high ceilings and colorful maps to show you what to see. We mostly stopped by to see the Gallipoli exhibit after hearing about the work that was done by the artists at Weta Workshop. It was striking, sad, and the most realistic view of war I've seen in a static environment. After that, we went to the natural New Zealand area to see the animal specimen collections. New Zealand is (and was) home to unique birds, mammals, plants, and sea creatures. It was invaluable to be able to see animals up close and compare the differences. It's bright, educational, and interactive. Restrooms are easy to find. They had a number of gift shops and book stores; we found some souvenirs to take home. This is a must-stop attraction during a visit to Wellington.

Never come to Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud, aka New Zealand, without a visit to the National museum, TE PAPA, in Wellington. It's B I G. One can spend hours / days here, and there's always something new popping up, so even though I've been here several times in the last two decades....... it's always a worthwhile experience. Lotsa HANDS on stuff.... write on the wall, play with the Kaleidoscope exhibit, do a puzzle = it's a MUST if y'all have the young uns with you. Kids LOVE Te Papa. Strategy: This visit we went straight to the top, 6th floor, and worked our way down.... good plan...but two hours later, we're still on the 5th floor! Art works on display...all fresh and new to me since I hadn't been on floors 5 / 6 for more than 15 years! Had a break in their open spacious cafe...meh....many better in this town than this one, but it's thirsty work museum browsing, so a prudent thing to do if y'all wish to maximize your day's exploring the vast space. Plenty of places to wash and freshen up, take a seat, recharge the batteries so to speak = that's a PLUS. Take yer time , enjoy it. My fave on this day was the Art Gallery on 5th floor. Visual and audio exhibits, even heard a SONNY TERRY recording with a multimedia work ! nice!!! Entry is free to all. Paid tours are a tad $$, and not necessary imho. WHEN to do your Te Papa visit ? We chose a 'regular' school day, so it wasn't particularly full of 6-18 year olds, a few preschoolers screeching, some organised school age groups, but generally quiet by Te Papa standards. Coat and bag check is FREE., so JUST DO IT! We chose a cool chilly day not so nice for outdoor stuff and appreciated the pleasant temperature throughout the museum, without carrying an extra two layers around. I.e. make yourself comfortable as y'all will walk miles through this massive place. One of the 100 things one must do when visiting NZ, and top o the pops in the capital city of Wellington is THIS ONE. we are fans of Te Papa. Four stars on the yelp meter. Recommended, pics will follow.

I don't even like museums but everyone said to go here because it is huge and free. My wife and I spent 3 hours at the museum and only got through one exhibit! "Gallipoli The Scale of War". I'd highly recommend checking this out. The Weta workshop team made huge life like sculptures of New Zealand soldiers. The detail was insane you could see the sweat on their foreheads and each piece of hair. The hours it must have taken to do all of these sculptures is hard to imagine. Very emotional. The stories had me in tears. If I could do it all over again I would have spent a couple days here to just look through everything. I can only imagine what the other exhibits were like. Wonderfully done!

A must-visit if you are on wharf. A beautiful building in and of itself, the National Museum is a great place to spend a couple of hours exploring the various aspects of NZ, from geography, to history, to wildlife, to climate, to native art. There is no admission fee, but they do take donations. There is also an attached garage, but the parking fees can be quite pricey. If you can find street parking, you will probably be better off. They had a lot of great exihibits going when I visited including a video that simulates the Earth's core before an earthquake. They also had a WWI exhibit about the human cost of the Battle of Gallipoli and of course, there is the Giant Squid. This this a behemoth and the thought of it swimming around anywhere gave me chills! They also had this 3-D video you could view of the squid in action. There are also open sitting areas overlooking the wharf and free wifi, so cannot go wrong w/any time spent here!

New Zealand's national museum is a really unique place that covers most of the country's history from 1840 until recently. Standout displays include a very surreal and breathtaking Gallipoli exhibit, a wide array of native New Zealand animals including everyone's favorite Kiwis, some native art and exhibits, and other assorted displays including education regarding the country's founding. There's quite a bit of unused space and a quarter of the museum seemed to be blocked off for private events. The gift shop was not up to par for a national museum. It's hard to complain about a free museum with one of the best WW1 exhibits I've ever seen.

What a great museum. It is beautiful inside as well as out. When you first enter there is a gift shop to the left and a coat/bag check to the right. It is a free service and they are very efficient. Te Papa is made up of 4 floors of New Zealand's history. There's a fabulous section on the Maori complete with video snippets, photos and art depicting what the original tribes were like and a copy of the original treaty they signed with the UK. Original and replicas of ceremonial tools, weapons, and really beautiful pieces including a box for keepsakes that was actually picked up or traded for by Cook in 1769 on his first voyage there on the Endeavour. Amazing to think it is still in existence. They also had an original war canoe and meeting house as well as a shelter for food storage. The meeting house was absolutely stunning. You may enter it but must remove your shoes to do so. The nature section was on floor 2 & was equally as fascinating showing examples of both the living and extinct. There was also geological section telling all about the volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. They even have an earthquake house that simulates what it is like to be in an earthquake such as the one that Christchurch experienced several years back and best of all, it's free to those who cannot afford an entrance fee and all they ask from those who can, is a donation. There are also extra exhibits featured that you do pay for. They had Alice In Wonderland while we were there and if you have kids, it looks like it would really be fun. Make sure to take your time and make plenty of mental memories though as there is no photography allowed in any of the exhibitions.

You could easily spend hours wandering the free exhibits inside Te Papa -- New Zealand's national museum. And it would be a major oversight on my part to not include it on my roundup of unique places in Wellington. Te Papa's permanent collections explores New Zealand's geology and natural environment, and the stories of New Zealand's indigenous people, the Maori. It also has a rotating exhibit space dedicated to diverse art and visual culture as well as international exhibitions on tour. I've visited Te Papa dozens of times and it never gets boring. But don't just take my word as proof. My husband stayed awake the entire visit! Okay, maybe there was a fire drill halfway through our visit, but still... pretty impressive! Also, Lonely Planet recently named the museum as one of its top 500 places to see on the planet. So go check it out.

Much of the content was similar to Auckland's museum, but this was notably different in that it was free. On top of that, it was quite a spectacular building with fascinating earthquake-resistant features, and included a deck to view the harbor from and an outdoor jungle and cave exhibit. On top of that, it had free and snappy wifi, so I came a lot. The exhibitions were fine, if not great in their depth in some cases. When I visited, a floor was being renovated as an art gallery so there wasn't much there. The highlights were an ANZAC exhibition everyone wanted to get into; I don't get ANZAC at all being not from around here (as far as I can tell, Australia and New Zealand have a holiday to celebrate a WWI battle that they lost), but it was a very substantial and interesting war exhibit. The other big highlight was the Maori culture; New Zealand's history of relations between the Maori and the English is quite interesting and beyond the scope of a Yelp review, but the way their cultures have merged is notably different from many other areas where indigenous culture is marginalized or gone. In the museum here, they have some very interesting pieces, and many are contemporaneous as well as historical. All told, I would definitely say this is something to visit for anyone coming to or through Wellington.

This massive building is gorgeous and very well organized. This is more of a museum where you take kids, I think -- it's full of dioramas and displays with lots and lots of text in dense paragraphs. There are a lot of interactive exhibits and you can count on it being very crowded.

Fabulous museum. It was a delight for the senses, well organized, thorough and informative. We took the tour and enjoyed it so much. There was only one person in addition to us two, so small group. The guide was entertaining and knowledgeable. He encouraged questions, which he answered extremely well. So this definitely was not someone going through a memorized script. I whole-heartedly recommend the tour. Gift shop was also wonderful. We don't do much tourist shopping, but we found a beautiful brass kiwi sculpture for our bookcase. It makes me happy every time I see it.

This is a great musem had lots of fun going there and was very interesting great exhibitions and service.

A must-see. What an amazing museum, especially considering admission is free except for special exhibits. We spent a few hours here and could have spent additional hours but our time in Wellington was limited. We enjoyed the modern art, the exhibit about Maoris and tattooing, the Maori cultural exhibit, and so much more. There is a cafe on site but it was very busy when we got hungry.

An Emotional Rollercoaster This Museum features 6 stories of wonderful and tragic history. From interactive projections and inanimate animal displays to larger than life sculptures of battlefield scenes and titanic wakas you'll be entertained thoroughly. The War exhibit was particular emotional if you gave yourself to all it had to offer, taking in the audio and background sound effects. The Museum does warn patrons that this particular exhibit might not be suitable for everyone so do take caution. The wakas were very impressive and shocking to imagine a people to have traveled thousands of miles in them. Simply incredible! I'm really at a lost for words to describe this amazing facility of history and knowledge. Definitely take the time to visit, while Wellington was a stop for our cruise ship, I would not hesitate to return just for the museum. I'm sure other reviews do this place more justice than I.

I could have spent longer here....and the price was right....free. The building is situated on the shoreline where there are restaurants and food vans ( similar to San Francisco food vans ) It would have been a good day to spend the whole day here and duck out for something to eat for lunch. There is plenty to see, read and hear to interest little kids though to oldies. Our group of six just split up and agreed to meet after a couple of hours. I did like the giant squid and the video on how it was caught, frozen then preserved.

Highly recommend making time to come here. Best of all, it's free. The museum has different exhibits that would interest all who come. I learned alot regarding all aspects of New Zealand. I initially wanted to come just to see the giant squid. But we ended up staying longer and seeing all of the museum.

Well, you definitely can't NOT come here, especially since it's free! (That being said, please leave a donation so this place can keep going strong.) A brilliant and interactive museum in a beautifully designed contemporary space. Learn about the ocean's critters and see a real colossal squid. Explore and understand the Maori culture, which is alive and well in Kiwi culture. Read about the transition for immigrants. Watch fun educational movies. A very tastefully, well done, and good looking museum. Plenty of restrooms on each floor and coffee shops for if you need a break. Lots to read, so pace yourself! Parking: though the museum is free, parking is not and is capped at 2 hours. Come earlier than later, or parking will be a struggle.

#1 It's so massive. 6 stories filled with information, artwork, history and facts. With all of this, your best bet is to start on top and work you way down. This museum is one that you can easily spend a day at or hand pick some specific floors to check out, or even come back numerous times to visit. We spent a good few hours here, picking out select floors we wanted to focus on. Highlights include: Maori culture exhibit, New Zealand history. And for those interested: the largest squid caught & Phar Lap's skeleton. (His body is in Melbourne museum, and his heart is in Canberra.) #2 It's all free! For everything they showcase, and all the information displayed, there's no entrance fee. That is amazing. Free wi-fi too! #3 They have a great gift shop with made in NZ items. #4 There's a cafe too #5 Staff is all so helpful and friendly For these five reasons, you cannot come to Wellington and not come here. You'd be missing out on boatloads.

A definite must see!!!! My son, 12 yrs old, really enjoyed it as well. It's engaging, interactive & we could have spent more time

Fantastic place. Great location. Particularly enjoyed the upper floors of contemporary art. Lower floors were busy with families and kids. A definite must do.

OK this is one of the best museums I have ever visited. firstly the building is an architectural wonder with waterfront views. it is free. it has free audio guides. it has free exhibits. it is made up of six floors, two cafes, free Wi fi and two shops. lots of seating for your poor tired feet. believe me you will need it. it took me an hour and a half to get through most of level 2, not all, and I was speeding. on the second floor, I checked out the gallipoli exhibit with lots of visuals, beautiful and believable and intricate sculptures by Weta (they are truly amazing and I don't think you can get any better. who needs madame tussaud...when you have weta). I also learnt about the earth's core where I could actually pick up rock from the earth's mantle, crust and core - this would be pure heaven for geologists. I had the opportunity to learn about earthquakes, tsunamis, and the shaping of wellington due to natural disasters. I even got to experience an earthquake in a makeshift shaking house. Oh another floor, I learnt all about Maori history. I got to check out the pataka which is a large temple like house used to store belongings. I saw an actual maori hut. I learned about native new Zealand animals and birds. I got to see a video of the colossal squid that was brought over to wellington from Antarctica. Thr colossal squid's body is well preserved in the museum. I even watched a three dimensional movie of the squid having a feed. I stood under the skeleton of a pygmy blue whale, heard the sounds of the moa, am extinct kiwi bird. On levels five and six, you can check out artwork. You can also go to the top and outside and take photos of the view of the city. I also checked out the sounding room and watched a puppet play called guji GUJI. There are so many ways to learn here - through text, videos, games, interactive displays, through touch and through sounds. I am definitely bringing my kids here. If I had come to this museum as a child, science lessons would have been a breeze. OH AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY to name a species. Fingers crossed - I win!

It's rather big with little in it, but what is in it is great. The exhibit on Anzak was amazing in so many ways.

What a great museum. The history of one of the conflicts is incredible. I am not sure of the material they used, wax? ...but is remarkable.

Te Papa museum in my opinion is the best free museum in New Zealand, and gives visitors an introduction to the planet, it's origins, it's inhabitants and then onwards to the origins of New Zealand both geographically and culturally, before showing us more recent events within the history of New Zealand. There's a running exhibit on the second level about the experiences in the war of Gallipoli with beautiful structures made by Weta Cave (owned by Sir Peter Jackson), and currently, a paid exhibit for Lego lovers at the Let's Go Build Festival. Free WiFi is available throughout the museum, a cafe is also present on the same level as the Treaty of Waitangi display, and a gift shop on the second level. The museum is easy to reach and is just by the harbour front to allow for a leisurely stroll after a visit.

Best museum in New Zealand that I have visited. I was in town when the Gallipoli exhhibition was on and I spent so much time looking and learning at this magnificent show that I barely saw any other parts of the museum, but hubby did, and he was equally impressed by all. This exhibition was very well put together, I learnt more about ANZAC here than I ever did in school (i'm an Aussie living in NZ). The life size displays and terrain layouts with ample detailed desciptions were particularly great. At the end there was also an opportunity to interact with visitors offered the opportunity to write down their own thoughts and opinions on war/the exhibition onto a paper poppy and place it in a large display area. This was a great addition, as this type of exhibition should do exactly that, make people think and reflect on the topic at large. Well done Te Papa, you lived up to your reputation.

So many things to learn and exhibitions to see! Always a fun experience! Such a perfect place to go on any type of day too!

Te Papa has always been great for kids, and it's hanging on to it's 5 star worthy rating after my most recent visit. A heart-wrenchingly informative tour of Gallipoli, which was visually stimulating and created with respect and elegance. Entry into the museum is free, although some temporary exhibitions can be ticketed. They do ask for a donation, which is totally merited. Also love descriptions written in te Reo Maori. Wish we saw more of the language around NZ - Ka pai Te Papa!! :)

Really neat museum with some well-made and advanced exhibits. Plus, it's free! Te Papa is similar to natural history museums in the US with exhibits on Maori culture and heritage, national animal species and geography, WWI, and national history. I would allocate about 2-3 hours to visit the entire museum, but you could easily take your time and stay longer. FLOOR 2 - Colossal squid- found out after that this animal is different from the giant squid on display at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. I believe this is the only colossal squid on exhibit in the world. - Awesome Forces- has a small, mock earthquake simulation - Bush City- an entire built-out outdoor environment that introduces the different terrains in New Zealand FLOOR 4 - Maori culture- a full gathering house is built in here - Maori history in NZ- understand the treaties written during colonization - Golden Days- a self-run show of New Zealand history highlights, so technologically advanced that it's kind of spooky - Passports- exhibit on New Zealand's history of accepting refugees featuring refugee stories FLOOR 6 - Viewing terrace- limited in view but nice harbor views PARKING $4 per hour.

An incredible museum with unforgettable exhibits and breathtaking art. You could spend many days here, but as a tourist with limited time, I appreciated our whirlwind visit. You can't miss the collaboration with Weta workshops on Gallipoli, which is in turns shocking, heart wrenching, and beautiful. Unlike most museum recaps of wars, this one really feels like it brings home the reality of what it might have been like to be there, and makes it feel very relevant today. I appreciated the massive exhibit on Maori culture, which I felt I could have spent much more than my allotted 90 minutes viewing. The gift shop was fun, and has so many interesting locally made arts and jewelry and soaps and trinkets you'll certainly find something special. Would absolutely recommend if you're ever in Wellington!

A MUST when you are visiting Wellington. Came here when they had the special Galipoli exhibit. Though there was a wait, this exhibit was phenomenal. Really in depth and made you feel for those lives lost during the battle in WWII. Coming from the U.S., I guess we don't learn much about the contributions of Australia and NZ during the war, as they are lumped together with the British. But the number of people NZ gave to the war efforts was a significant portion of their population, and most of them died, like almost 95%!! It is indeed a big deal. The stories were told from the viewpoints of people with various roles in the war, and the best part is that the stories are all TRUE. It's hauntingly beautiful & tragic all in one. Very high tech as well, and the artwork by WETA cave were all so incredibly lifelike. I like learning about War stuff, but I feel this exhibit would be enjoyed by ANYONE. Other than this special exhibit, the rest of the museum is also excellent. Covers everything from the natural world (giant squid exhibit, NZ wildlife, etc), to Maori culture and the evolution of immigrants to this island nation. You definitely understand a lot more about the NZ culture after going here, and you will enjoy your time here more for it. As a tourist, I think it is good to pay your respects to the nation you are visiting, and this is a good way to become educated. Allow a good 3-4 hours for everything. I cannot believe it is all free!! Check out the museum store as well.

This is an absolute must visit experience and it is free. I usually minimize trips to museums when I travel. But, Te Papa helped me to understand what I am seeing in the country. I guess that, as an American, I thought that the background of Australia and New Zealand would be similar. But. They are radically different. And, the result shows in the modern day. Do you know how important number 8 wire is? How are the Pacific Island roots differ from the Aboriginal roots and what that means culturally? And, did you know that the only mammals native to New Zealand are the bats? The museum covers the history of the island nation, with a real focus on how people came to be in NZ. This is not a place to see portraits of dead Prime Ministers. Instead, it let's you understand the migrations from the Pacific Islanders, through British colonial time, to modem day people. It is a fascinating tale. The museum is also quite beautiful. Allow 3-4 hours and do it really in your trip. You will enjoy NZ better for it.

I've visited museums the world over--seemingly countless all over the USA, as well as in Amsterdam, Berlin, Sydney, and Auckland. Te Papa, as a museum, is of a caliber that it can compete with the best history museums in the world, and what it offers can really take a visitor through a pretty comprehensive and educational tour of the geological, cultural, tribal, urban, agricultural, and economic histories of New Zealand. The Gallipoli exhibit was very well done. So, why the score of only two stars? Well, there's not a delicate way to put this...but some of their cafe (both lower and upper levels) and gift shop (both lower and upper levels) staff have some serious attitude problems. As in, not only do they look disinterested in helping the public, they take their disinterest out on the public with their aloof attitudes and barely saying two words to you, even as they're taking your money while buying a cappuccino or postcard. I went there once each on 11-Oct-2017, and another chance today, 21-Jan-2018; both times, I left with a very poor impression of their staff, and that put some damper on my visits. (Their staff in blue shirts, who appeared to be providing small tours, were the only staff I saw who appeared to actually enjoy their jobs.) The only other museum I've ever initially felt this way about was the Reagan Library near Los Angeles. The first time I went, their staff were having a bad day. However, the other three times I went, staff were just fine. Perhaps I've just gone to Te Papa when staff are having a bad day, but, more than likely, I'd guess that aspects of it make for a bad work environment, which means their staff don't enjoy working there. Go, if you don't care anything about customer service, and if you can accept that some staff don't give a damn about the fact that their museum serves as a face of New Zealand for tourists from around the world.

Apparently, this is one of the more well-known museums in New Zealand. And it is such a cool place to visit. If you're in Wellington, make sure you don't miss out on this one. As our time was pretty limited, my son and I were only able to see a few of the exhibits, but it was time well spent. And the best thing is that it is absolutely FREE! The museum is similar to the LA museum of science, but better. There are, I believe 3 floors and each floor houses various exhibits. One could easily spend an entire day without getting bored. The exhibits we visited were very well laid out and interesting for younger and older audiences. Many of the displays were interactive as well, especially the one we saw about the formation and rich ecology of New Zealand. The Gallipoli exhibit may have been a temporary one, but it impressed us the most. And indepth representation of New Zealand's involvement in WW I, mainly in the battle of Gallipolli between the Turks and Greece, during which time many young Kiwi soldiers lost their lives. It was quite emotional to see the enormous life like visuals and listen to the accompanying audio. I really wish we would have had more time for this fascinating place. Downstairs we found the usual gift shop and the cafetaria, where we had an order of fries. Don't order the mayo though.... it tastes weird. LOL.

HOW HAS NO ONE REVIEWED TE PAPA YET?! this may be the best museum i've ever been to. and it's also ENDLESS. here you can marvel at a giant squid, catch a video of a kiwi cliff-diver, be towered by a life-size LOTR troll, learn about the journey of the first waka from hawaiki ... and then come back the next day and actually make it to level 2? okay, that's a but of an exaggeration BUT i have to say, to truly see te papa, you need at least two visits. there's just soooo much to see, learn and discover [and if you try to do it one day your brain will probably explode]. don't say i didn't warn you! OH and don't forget to check out the architecture vault right outside the front entrance - it explains the revolutionary earthquake-resistant foundation te papa is built on. very interesting. other te papa perks: free wifi, sparkling clean bathrooms & a lovely cafe. not to be missed!

I was blown away by this museum mostly because it's free to enter, educational & so well put together. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't this display, it was amazing. I really enjoyed the "Mountains to Sea" exhibit, the animals/displays & design was very well thought out. The upstairs portion showing how things have changed with the settlers was good too. I was even fascinated about the talks of Gondwanaland, wow! This is a must see museum if you're in "Windy Wellington", I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Te Papa should be first on your list of things to do in Wellington. Housed in a gorgeous building on the water, the collection is very interesting and an excellent way for first time visitors to New Zealand to learn about The country and its inhabitants.

What a great museum!!!! I wondered how New Zealand came to be. Was there an original Zealand? Seems it came from the Dutch "Zeeland". The life-like figures were AMAZING!!!

Great presentation. Easy to access. Interesting exhibits. The larger than life statues of fallen soldiers are astounding to see. The giant squid is remarkable.

As an American I love museums in other countries. Te Papa is unique in its architecture and gorgeous in its offerings. To top it all off it's free. I would highly recommend it to any visitor to Wellington, including Kiwis.