Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Any visitor to Wellington should have the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa at the top of their to-do list. At 36,000 square metres and six storeys high, Te Papa is the country’s largest museum and contains a vast repository of collections. It’s home to more than two million artworks, objects, and specimens. It curates cutting-edge interactive exhibitions with a contemporary and bicultural approach. Te Papa is a museum experience that’s accessible to all. 

Among the long-term exhibitions is Te Taiao Nature, where you can explore New Zealand’s weird and wonderful wildlife. It tells the story of the country’s seismic history and how it has influenced the incredible native flora and fauna. Those natural wonders are on display in Bush City, a living outdoor exhibition. You can experience thousands of native plant species and some fun family-friendly activities on an onsite bushwalk.

In 2015, Te Papa joined forces with Wētā Workshop to create an exhibition that humanises the stark realities of war. ‘Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War’ follows eight ordinary New Zealanders through the Gallipoli campaign, using their stories and words to explain this harrowing event. Models of the people, at 2.4 times human size, reflect the monumental impact of war. The ground-breaking exhibition combines cutting-edge technology with important historical storytelling for an unforgettable museum experience. The exhibition is now extended for the third time and will continue until April 2032. A brand-new guided tour will launch to coincide with its reopening.

On 14 February 1998, Te Papa opened its doors for the first time. In the 25-plus years since that day, the museum has welcomed almost 34 million visitors.