Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa — Attraction in North Island

Such a fantastic museum. Entry is free but some exhibits require paid tickets. If you're there around ANZAC Day, definitely check out the ANZAC exhibit because it's amazing. The information and level of detail was very moving and some aspects were presented in an interesting and easy to understand way. Not sure if young children would enjoy it though, as it's very sombre. We also went to the dinosaur exhibit (Dinosaurs of Patagonia), which cost about $25 NZD to enter. This far more tailored to toddlers and young children (who seemed to be having a ball) with enough content for adults for us to also enjoy it. The big dinosaurs at the end definitely don't disappoint! There was a beautiful choir at the time, just outside the ANZAC exhibit, and it was lovely hearing them sing. The cafe downstairs is nice but very basic. There was a 20 minute wait for hot drinks at one stage though, but you could order your food (from the display cabinet) and this was brought to your table fairly quickly. If you don't find anything you like in this cafe, just go across the road to Takina (convention centre) and their cafe is fantastic. Gift shop has heaps of things: books, jewellery, clothing, toys, souvenirs, ornaments and decor, cosmetics, etc. I wanted to buy so many things but had to consider luggage weight! As a function venue, it was fantastic. The food was delicious (3 course meal plus wine), the staff were efficient and professional. They cater to dietary requirements individually, which was nice. The event was in the main reception area, so we had the amazing view out of the big...

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, commonly referred to as Te Papa, is New Zealand's national museum, located in Wellington. It's known for its innovative and interactive exhibitions, blending culture, history, and natural science. "Te Papa Tongarewa" translates to "Container of Treasures," reflecting its role in preserving and showcasing New Zealand's rich cultural heritage, including significant Māori artifacts.

The museum is divided into various sections, including:

Art: Exhibits featuring both historical and contemporary New Zealand art, as well as international works.

History: Displays on New Zealand's social and cultural history, including exhibitions on colonial history, immigration, and important historical events.

Māori Culture: A significant portion dedicated to Māori heritage, with taonga (treasures), traditional carvings, and exhibitions on Māori history, language, and spirituality.

Natural Environment: Interactive displays on New Zealand's unique flora and fauna, geology, and the natural forces that have shaped the landscape.

Special Exhibitions: Te Papa often hosts temporary exhibitions, ranging from art and photography to history and science, many of which attract international attention.

Te Papa is also a center for research, with teams working on natural history, art, and Māori cultural studies. It's a must-visit for anyone interested in understanding New Zealand's diverse...

I felt extremely unwelcome here by staff. I came across the world from America to visit this place to learn more about my ancestors. Since I arrive I have had several incidents with pakeha staff where they have harassed me and policed me which made me cry because I am trying to reconnect with my culture and knowledge which was taken away from me through colonization. I was here the other day and left because of the treatment and I wanted to come back to access the information in the museum and just now I was reading the books in the tree house and my back started to seize up because I have a back injury so I laid on my stomach in the corner quietly reading and I was approached three times by staff telling me I needed to get up and I couldn’t rest on my stomach. I explained I have a back injury to the first staff member and she went and got security to come and harass me about it and forced me to either leave or sit down causing myself more pain. I am not wearing anything obscene I am wearing a long ankle length modest skirt and I was very quiet and focused on reading, not bothering anyone. I just wanted a safe place to learn things and reconnect and I did not expect to be treated with such cruelty. I really wish that Te papa museum would educate their staff more on cultural sensitivity and treating our Pasifika people with more respect. ESPECIALLY since everything in this museum is because of us. I’m really hurt and really...