WellingtonSee & Do
The exterior of the New Zealand Parliament building at 1 Museum Street, Pipitea in Wellington at sunset with pink-coloured clouds in the sky above.

New Zealand Parliament Tours

Walk the corridors of power and see where New Zealand laws and policies are made.

Go behind the scenes at the Beehive and Parliament House to understand more about New Zealand’s history and how democracy works.

Walk the corridors of power and learn about the Parliamentary process in New Zealand. You can find out about where New Zealand’s laws are written, debated, and passed. You’ll hear anecdotes about past politicians, see some of the artworks and objects from the Parliamentary Collection, and get to know the architectural history of the buildings.

There are many free guided tours that cater to different groups.

The Beehive, a common name for the Executive Wing of New Zealand Parliament Buildings, located at the corner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington.
The interior of New Zealand's parliament building in Wellington. It is a large corridor, with stone wall, arched glass ceiling and marble floors.
A group of people on a tour at New Zealand's Parliament building in Wellington. They are standing in a wood-paneled town hall meeting room with green carpet.
A town hall meeting room inside New Zealand's Parliament building.

The Introduction to Parliament tour is the most popular and takes place many times throughout the day. It is a great way to learn about the parliamentary processes. Walk inside the Executive Wing (the Beehive), notable for its circular design. Look at the 100-year-old Parliament House and the Parliamentary Library. You’ll also see the Debating Chamber, Select Committee rooms, Grand Hall, Legislative Council Chamber, Parliament House, and Banquet Hall.

There are tours that cater to those interested in the parliamentary art collection, and a shorter tour designed for children. The friendly guides can provide information sheets for tours in Te Reo Māori, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, Samoan, and Korean.

A Twilight tour going on inside the Chamber, Parliament.
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Entrance to He Tohu at The National Library of New Zealand.

He Tohu at National Library of New Zealand

Located at the National Library of New Zealand, He Tohu displays the Treaty of Waitangi, the Women’s Suffrage Petition, and the Declaration of Independence.

The exterior of Te Papa Tongarewa, half glass and half concrete.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

New Zealand’s national museum reflects the country’s identity, history, and culture.

Exterior of the Wellington Museum, a blue building with a red door.

Wellington Museum

Wellington Museum tells the stories of our people. From maritime history, Māori and European settlement, and the evolution as the capital.

The monument at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is located in, Te Aro, Wellington.

Pukeahu National War Memorial Park

A short walk from the centre of Wellington lies Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. It is a place to reflect on and remember New Zealand’s experience of war.

A person doing the Footsteps of Change Wellington Parliamentary Precinct self-guided walking tour with the Beehive building in the background.

Footsteps of Change

Discover iconic landmarks, learn about the city, and explore founding civic moments that have defined New Zealand’s history with this free self-guided tour.

A young child looking through a book at the new Zealand police museum.

New Zealand Police Museum

The New Zealand Police Museum tells the real-life stories of policing in Aotearoa, from the most infamous crimes to disasters and significant events.

Inside the dining room of the Katherine Mansfield House on Tinakori Road. Blue walls are covered in decor from the 19th century, including a wall of china plates. The table is set with candleabra and pink china.

Katherine Mansfield House & Garden

Katherine Mansfield is one of the world’s most acclaimed writers and a proud Wellingtonian. Take a step into her life in 19th century colonial Wellington.

Young children pointing up at the Earth projected onto the digital planetarium and Space Place.

Te Ara Whānui ki te Rangi Space Place

In the hills of Wellington, you’ll find Space Place and the Carter Observatory. A full-dome planetarium that tells the stories of New Zealand’s skies.

An adult and child walk alongside a fountain at the Wellington Botanic Gardens ki Paekākā. Pink and red roses surround them.

Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā

Wellington is home to the oldest botanic garden in New Zealand. On the city edge there are 25 hectares of specialised plants, unique landscapes, and city views.

3 people wearing black, appreciating art works on the white wall inside City Gallery.

City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi

Wellington’s contemporary art gallery has temporarily moved to the National Library of New Zealand but is still bringing its changing suite of exhibitions.