Te Papa Tongarewa

New Zealand's national museum housed in a striking modern building on the waterfront, offering world-class exhibits on Māori culture, natural history, art, and interactive experiences. It's consistently rated one of the best museums in the Southern Hemisphere and provides essential context for understanding New Zealand.

Things to do

• Explore the Māori Taonga (Treasures) Exhibition — Immerse yourself in one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Māori artifacts, including intricate taonga (treasured objects), traditional weapons, and whakairo (carved panels).
• Experience the Earthquake House — Feel a simulated earthquake in this interactive exhibit that demonstrates seismic activity and tests your knowledge of New Zealand's geological instability.
• Visit the Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War Exhibition — Discover New Zealand's significant World War I history through personal stories, photographs, and artifacts documenting the Gallipoli campaign.
• Browse the New Zealand Art Collection — View contemporary and historical New Zealand artworks spanning from colonial-era paintings to modern installations by local and international artists.
• Discover Te Ika a Māui: Stories About New Zealand — Engage with interactive displays exploring New Zealand's natural environment, biodiversity, and the relationship between Māori and the land.
• Enjoy the Museum Café with Waterfront Views — Relax at the on-site café overlooking Wellington Harbour while enjoying light refreshments and local beverages.

Food to try

• Hokey Pokey Ice Cream — A beloved New Zealand ice cream flavor combining vanilla with honeycomb candy pieces, widely available at the museum café and local vendors.
• L&P (Lemon & Paeroa) Soft Drink — New Zealand's iconic lemon-flavored soft drink that pairs perfectly with museum visits and is easily found throughout the café.
• Pavlova with Local Berries — A classic Aotearoa dessert featuring a crispy meringue base topped with whipped cream and New Zealand-grown berries like strawberries and feijoas.
• Whitebait Fritter — A seasonal delicacy featuring tiny freshwater fish lightly battered and pan-fried, representing authentic New Zealand kai (food).
• Tuatua Soup or Seafood Chowder — A warming soup featuring local shellfish and seafood reflective of New Zealand's marine bounty and Māori food traditions.

Local customs & good to know

• Observe Proper Protocol in Māori Spaces — Remove shoes when entering certain tapu (sacred) exhibition areas and respect any protocols indicated by signage, as these spaces hold spiritual significance.
• Allow Extended Time for Māori Exhibits — Dedicate several hours to fully appreciate Māori cultural displays, as they represent the depth and complexity of Aotearoa's indigenous heritage and deserve thoughtful engagement.
• Learn Basic Te Reo Māori (Māori Language) Terms — Familiarize yourself with key Māori words used throughout the museum like taonga, whānau (family), and mana (prestige) to deepen your understanding of exhibits and respect for the culture.
• Embrace the Museum's Free Entry Policy — Te Papa's general admission is free, reflecting New Zealand's commitment to accessible cultural institutions, though donations are welcomed and special exhibitions may have fees.