Te Aro Museum Guide
Te Papa Museum Guide 2026: Tickets, Exhibits And A Te Aro Stay
Te Papa Museum, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, is at 55 Cable Street on the Wellington waterfront and opens every day from 10am to 6pm, except Christmas Day. Entry is free for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand. International visitors aged 16 and over, Australians included, pay NZ$35 for a ticket that lasts 48 hours; under-16s enter free. The colossal squid, Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War and Phar Lap's skeleton are included, and the paid Game Worlds exhibition opens on 12 December 2026. It is a 10-minute walk from City Tree Hutt B in Te Aro.
Key Takeaway
Te Papa is an easy wet- or windy-day plan in Wellington. Visitors from Australia aged 16 and over pay NZ$35 each for 48 hours of entry to the permanent exhibitions, under-16s go free, and StoryPlace and Game Worlds are ticketed separately.
Before You Go
Three quick checks save money and queueing.
On The Day
Make the most of the museum's hours.
Te Papa Museum At A Glance: Hours, Address And Entry
Te Papa is New Zealand's national museum, spread over six floors beside the harbour. It covers the natural world, Māori and Pacific culture, New Zealand history and the national art collection. For guests in Te Aro it is practically a neighbour: the City Tree Hutt B listing puts the waterfront and Te Papa about a 10-minute walk away.
| What you need to know | Detail (checked 19 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Address | 55 Cable Street, Wellington 6011 |
| Opening hours | Every day, 10am–6pm; closed Christmas Day |
| New Zealanders and NZ residents | Free museum entry |
| International visitors 16+ | NZ$35, valid for 48 hours |
| International visitors under 16 | Free |
| Paid extras | Special exhibitions, guided tours, StoryPlace, parking and paid events |
Labour Day falls on Monday 26 October 2026, making 24–26 October a long weekend in New Zealand. Te Papa lists only Christmas Day as a closure, but check before any public holiday visit.
Is Te Papa Free? Who Pays The NZ$35 International Ticket
Several travel sites still call Te Papa free for everyone. That ended on Tuesday 17 September 2024, when Te Papa began charging international visitors aged 16 and over NZ$35.
Entry stays free for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand. Te Papa says that includes visitors from Niue, the Cook Islands and Tokelau, New Zealand citizens and permanent residents living overseas, and people on a visa that lets them study, work or live in New Zealand. Anyone here on a visitor visa pays. Australian holidaymakers are international visitors; in 2023/24 Australia was the top country of origin for Te Papa's international visitors.
There is no ID check. Te Papa says it relies on people to self-identify, and its ticket FAQ states that New Zealand residents do not have to prove they live in New Zealand or bring any evidence. Residents pay only for paid exhibitions and experiences.
Buying online lets you skip the queue or book a preferred time. Keep a printed or digital copy of the ticket as your proof of entry.
Getting To Te Papa From Te Aro: Walking, Buses And Parking
From Te Aro, walk. The listing gives about 10 minutes to the waterfront and Te Papa, and Te Papa says you are rarely more than 20 minutes' walk away anywhere in central Wellington.
Te Papa says most Wellington buses, including airport and railway station services, stop on Courtenay Place and Willis Street, a few minutes' walk away, and Wellington Combined Taxis has a stand outside.
If you do drive, Te Papa runs its own car park off Cable Street, despite at least one travel guide saying there is none:
| Te Papa car park | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 15 minutes | No charge |
| Day, 8am–5pm, up to 4 hours | NZ$5 per hour |
| Day, after 4 hours | NZ$6 per hour, maximum NZ$40 a day |
| Evening, 5pm–8am | NZ$2 per hour, maximum NZ$24 a night |
| Evening special | NZ$8 if you arrive after 5pm and leave by 2am |
Parking cannot be reserved and is limited to 24 hours. Contactless card entry works with New Zealand cards only, so visitors with Australian cards should take a ticket and pay at a pay station or the exit.
Te Papa Floor By Floor: Where The Big Exhibits Are
Te Papa's map covers six floors, but the exhibits most visitors come for are on Levels 2 and 4, with the art galleries continuing to Level 5. Download the 2026 map from the museum's website, as displays change.
| Where | Highlights | Te Papa's suggested time |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Level 1 | Quake Braker; Bush City (outside Levels 1 and 2, closes 5pm) | 10 minutes; 20 minutes |
| Level 1 | Te Papa Cafe and children's play area | As needed |
| Level 2 | Te Taiao | Nature with the colossal squid and Quake House; Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War; ticket desk; StoryPlace | 1–2 hours for Te Taiao; 60+ minutes for Gallipoli |
| Level 4 | Mana Whenua and He Toi Whakairo; Rongomaraeroa marae; Phar Lap; Tangata o le Moana; Discovery Centres; Toi Art; Espresso cafe; Game Worlds from 12 December | 40 minutes for He Toi Whakairo; 60–90 minutes for Game Worlds |
| Level 5 | Toi Art galleries and the family Art Studio | 1–2 hours for Toi Art across Levels 4 and 5 |
Te Papa's 2024 figures put the average international visit at 121 minutes. Add up the suggested times above and two sessions make more sense than one.
The Colossal Squid And Te Taiao | Nature
The colossal squid is the exhibit most people ask for first, and Te Papa describes it as the only colossal squid on display in the world. It sits in the Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians area of Te Taiao | Nature on Level 2, with a video on how the specimen got from Antarctica to Te Papa and touchable models of its beak and a tentacle hook. Allow about 15 minutes.
The rest of Te Taiao suits mixed ages: Te Ika Whenua | Unique NZ covers odd, often flightless wildlife; Whakarūaumoko | Active Land has volcanoes, earthquakes and the Quake House; Te Kōhanga | Nest surrounds a fragile moa egg with birdsong; and Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians looks at protecting native species. Te Papa warns of some sudden noises and variable lighting.
Gallipoli And Phar Lap: Two Stories Australians Share
Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War, on Level 2, was made with Wētā Workshop. It tells the eight-month campaign through eight ordinary New Zealanders, each sculpted at 2.4 times human size. Te Papa says the figures took 24,000 hours to create, and the exhibition records that 2,779 New Zealanders died on Gallipoli.
Allow 60 minutes or more. Te Papa recommends parental guidance and warns of graphic content and realistic sound. Photography is allowed without flash. For Australians it is a moving New Zealand view of a shared campaign.
Phar Lap is the lighter companion piece. The racehorse was born near Tīmaru in 1926, and his skeleton is on permanent display on Level 4 near the stairs. Te Papa notes the split between the two countries: his heart is in Canberra, his hide is on a model at Melbourne Museum, and his bones came home to New Zealand. He won the Melbourne Cup in November 1930, three days after someone tried to shoot him.
Māori And Pacific Taonga On Level 4
Level 4 holds Te Papa's Māori and Pacific collections and deserves unhurried time. He Toi Whakairo: The Art of Māori Carving opened on 29 August 2026 and runs until August 2031. It brings together more than 140 whakairo (carvings) spanning seven centuries, many never exhibited before. Te Papa suggests 40 minutes.
Close by is Rongomaraeroa, the museum's marae and a showcase for contemporary Māori art and design. No food or drink is allowed on the marae, so finish your coffee first and follow any instructions from hosts.
Two shorter displays are worth catching. Tatau Tatau, marking 75 years of the Māori Women's Welfare League, runs until January 2027 and takes about 25 minutes. Tangata o le Moana tells the story of Pacific people in New Zealand, and its PlaNet Pasifika family space is one of the museum's two Discovery Centres. For a guide, the one-hour Māori Highlights Tour leaves at 1pm and is listed from NZ$50.
Toi Art And Slow Burn: The National Art Collection
Toi Art holds the national art collection across Levels 4 and 5, with changing displays of painting, sculpture, photography, tīvaevae, jewellery, drawings and ceramics. Te Papa suggests one to two hours, and there is seating throughout plus toilets on both levels.
The headline show this spring is Slow Burn: Women and Photography, on Level 4 until January 2027. It surveys photography by women and non-binary artists in Aotearoa from the 1960s to today, is included with museum entry, and takes about an hour. Te Papa notes that the exhibition contains nudity.
Game Worlds At Te Papa: Opens 12 December 2026
The big new exhibition for summer is Game Worlds: Whakaaturanga Pureiapo | Playable Exhibition, curated and developed by ACMI. It runs on Level 4 from Saturday 12 December 2026 to 26 April 2027, with more than 30 videogames and 44 playable moments from the 1970s to today. Tickets are released on Monday 2 November.
| Game Worlds ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | NZ$30 |
| Concession | NZ$25 |
| Child (5–15) | NZ$15 |
| Child (under 5) | Free |
| Family (1 adult, 2 children) | NZ$55 |
| Family (2 adults, 2 children) | NZ$75 |
| International visitor entry + Game Worlds | NZ$60 |
Allow 60–90 minutes, though Te Papa says no time limits apply. Last same-day tickets are sold at 5.15pm. It suits all ages but includes some adult themes. For a December weekend built around it, buy online soon after 2 November.
Te Papa Events: Labour Day Weekend And November 2026
These events were listed on Te Papa's calendar on 19 October 2026. Programmes change, so check each event page.
| Date | Event | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 24 Oct, 12–1pm | Professor James Belich on museums and history (Friends of Te Papa with the Heritage Festival) | See Friends of Te Papa |
| Sun 25 Oct, 10am–1pm | Urban Nature Activities around the harbourfront with author Rachel Haydon, from the foyer | Free |
| Mon 26 Oct (Labour Day), 11am–12pm | Wild Wellington waterfront walk with Michael Szabo, from the Len Lye Water Whirler near Frank Kitts Park to Bush City | Free, booking required |
| Wed 28 Oct, 1–2.30pm | Asian histories in Aotearoa: collection highlights talk | See event page |
| Sat 31 Oct, 10am–2pm | Mātātupu Mātauranga: Future Thinkers, by rangatahi for rangatahi | See event page |
| Wed 4 Nov, 10.30am–12pm | Tamariki Kapa Haka at Rongomaraeroa, Level 4 | Free with museum entry |
The Labour Day walk suits a Te Aro stay: walk to the start, meet 15 minutes early, and if the weather is bad Te Papa will run a presentation inside instead.
Te Papa With Kids: Discovery Centres, StoryPlace And Bush City
International visitors under 16 enter free, and much of the museum is hands-on.
StoryPlace takes 20 people per session and does not admit late arrivals, so book ahead. Prams wait in the free stroller park outside. Parents' rooms are on Level 1 by the cafe play area, Level 2 beside StoryPlace and Level 5 beside the Art Studio.
Te Papa Guided Tours: Times, Prices And Whether They Are Worth It
A guided tour is the quickest way into a museum this size. Each runs about an hour; Introducing Te Papa meets at the Level 2 ticket desk.
| Tour | Departs | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Introducing Te Papa | 10.15am, 12pm, 2pm | Adult from NZ$50; adult + international entry from NZ$77; child 5–15 from NZ$25 |
| Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War | 9.30am | From NZ$50 |
| Māori Highlights | 1pm | From NZ$50 |
| Art Narratives | 1pm | From NZ$50 |
Te Papa's pages do not agree on what a tour includes. The tours page says all tours include international visitor admission for two days, but the Introducing Te Papa booking page says an individual ticket is for the tour only and sells an "Adult + International Entry Ticket" from NZ$77, saving NZ$8 on the NZ$50 tour plus NZ$35 entry. Te Papa's ticket FAQ says it depends on how you booked.
Before paying, check which option you are choosing and what your confirmation includes; without entry, you need the separate NZ$35 ticket. Under-16s enter free but pay the child tour price. Prices are "from" amounts, so confirm the total at checkout. Art Narratives is 50% off when booked with Eat Your Art Out (code WOW26).
What A Te Papa Visit Costs: Worked Examples
These examples use only prices Te Papa published on 19 October 2026, all in New Zealand dollars (NZ$). Confirm them when you book.
| Who and what | How it adds up | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Two Australian adults, museum entry only | 2 × NZ$35, valid 48 hours | NZ$70 |
| Two Australian adults, entry plus Introducing tour | 2 × NZ$77 "Adult + International Entry" option on the booking page (instead of 2 × NZ$50 tour + 2 × NZ$35 entry = NZ$170) | NZ$154, saving NZ$16 (check what your booking includes) |
| Two Australian adults, entry plus Game Worlds (from 12 Dec) | 2 × NZ$60 bundle (instead of 2 × NZ$65) | NZ$120, saving NZ$10 |
| Two New Zealand-resident adults, Game Worlds | Entry free; 2 × NZ$30 | NZ$60 |
| Eat Your Art Out high tea for two (museum entry needed as well) | 2 × NZ$32 | NZ$64 |
| Driving instead of walking, 3 daytime hours (8am–5pm) | 3 × NZ$5 in the Te Papa car park | NZ$15 |
An Australian family with two children aged 5–15 has two ways to see Game Worlds: two NZ$60 adult bundles plus two NZ$15 child tickets (NZ$150), or two NZ$35 entry tickets plus one NZ$75 family Game Worlds ticket (NZ$145). Check at booking that the family ticket works alongside international entry.
Food, Lockers, Wi-Fi And How Long To Spend At Te Papa
Te Papa Cafe on Level 1 opens 9am–5pm daily for breakfast, lunch and cabinet food, with a children's menu, but the kitchen closes at 3pm. Espresso on Level 4 opens 10am–4pm for coffee and light bites. Both close on Christmas Day. Free Wi-Fi covers the museum on the Te-Papa-Free-Wi-Fi network.
Self-service lockers sit to your right inside the main entrance, handy on check-out day. Small lockers cost NZ$3 for two hours or NZ$8 for the day; large ones NZ$8 for two hours or NZ$12 for the day. The largest is 97 × 43 × 86 cm.
How long should you spend? Te Papa's ticket page says most visitors spend two hours or more, and its FAQ adds that many people recommend at least four hours. A realistic plan is two to three hours on Level 2 and part of Level 4, then a second two-hour session for Toi Art, the Māori and Pacific galleries and anything you missed. Arriving at the 10am opening gives you the longest day.
Pair Te Papa With Wellington Museum And City Gallery
Wellington Museum, at 3 Jervois Quay on Queens Wharf, opens 10am–5pm seven days. Its galleries cover Wellington's story, maritime history and the 1968 Wahine disaster, a smaller, local companion to Te Papa. Admission is free for New Zealand residents; like Te Papa, it has charged international visitors since 1 October 2024, so check its admission page for the price.
City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi lists its address as 67 Victoria Street and opens daily 10am–5pm, to 9pm on Thursdays. Its Cornelia Parker exhibition runs from 10 October 2026 to 7 March 2027. Ticket prices were not stated on the pages we checked, so call 04 913 9032 before you go.
Our Wellington waterfront walks guide links these stops into a harbour walk, and the Te Aro food and coffee guide covers where to eat afterwards.
Why City Tree Hutt B Suits A Te Papa Weekend
City Tree Hutt B is a one-bedroom Te Aro apartment for up to two guests, with a queen bed, one bathroom and open-plan living and kitchen. The listing puts the waterfront and Te Papa about a 10-minute walk away, the city's entertainment hub of theatres, bars and restaurants about 5 minutes, and Oriental Bay about 20 minutes on foot.
That suits a museum trip: a morning at Te Papa, lunch back at the apartment, then a return on the same 48-hour ticket with no parking to pay. Moore Wilson's is listed as a 2-minute walk and Prefab cafe is across the road.
On a wet or windy day, the apartment is a comfortable place to regroup, with heating and air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen with oven, microwave, dishwasher and coffee machine, two smart TVs, books and board games, and 500 Mbps Wi-Fi. A washing machine and dryer help if a harbour walk ends in a downpour.
It is rated 5.0 from 23 guest reviews, stays of three nights or more include a NZ$50 voucher for Ernesto's Cafe and Bar, and the listing shows no cleaning fees. Self check-in by lockbox is from 3pm, with check-out by 10am. See the City Tree Hutt B listing for full details.
Who A Te Aro Museum Weekend Suits
This stay sleeps two, so it fits couples, two friends or a solo traveller. History lovers can build the weekend around Gallipoli and He Toi Whakairo; art lovers can pair Slow Burn with City Gallery's Cornelia Parker show; gamers will want December dates for Game Worlds. Work travellers can use the laptop-friendly workspace and fit Te Papa into a late afternoon before the 6pm close.
The house rules set a minimum age of 21 for the primary renter. Children and infants are welcome within the two-guest maximum, with a porta cot on request, subject to availability.
A Two-Day Te Papa Weekend From Te Aro
This plan uses one 48-hour international ticket across two days. New Zealand residents can follow it without buying entry.
Day 1, Afternoon: Arrive And Start Small
Check in from 3pm, pick up groceries at Moore Wilson's, then walk to the waterfront. Buy your ticket by about 4pm and spend an hour on Te Taiao | Nature and the colossal squid before the 6pm close. The 48 hours run from the entry date printed on the ticket.
Day 2, Morning: Gallipoli And Level 2
Breakfast at Prefab across the road, then take the 9.30am Gallipoli tour or go straight to the exhibition at 10am. Finish with the Quake House, Quake Braker and, if it is fine, Bush City.
Day 2, Lunch: Eat Early
Eat at Te Papa Cafe before the kitchen closes at 3pm, or walk back to the apartment for a break.
Day 2, Afternoon: Level 4 And Toi Art
Give He Toi Whakairo 40 minutes, visit Rongomaraeroa and Phar Lap, then go up through Toi Art and Slow Burn. On a Wednesday or Sunday, swap the order and be in Toi Art for the 11am Lucky Dip Art Talk.
Day 3, Morning: Wellington Museum Or City Gallery
Check out by 10am. Both Wellington Museum and City Gallery open at 10am, and Te Papa's lockers take bags from NZ$3 for two hours if you want a last waterfront stroll.
Plan Your Te Aro Museum Weekend
Check dates and live prices on the City Tree Hutt B page, browse every WTP Holiday Homes stay, or read more Te Aro holiday guides.
Sources And Dates Checked
All checked on 19 October 2026. Museums can change hours, exhibitions and prices without notice, so confirm before you travel.
- Te Papa: International visitor museum entry and ticket terms, checked 19 October 2026
- Te Papa 2024 media release on the international charge, checked 19 October 2026
- Te Papa: Plan your visit, Getting here, Parking, Cafes, Facilities, StoryPlace and Discovery Centres, checked 19 October 2026
- Te Papa: Exhibitions, Game Worlds, Gallipoli, Phar Lap, Events and Guided tours, checked 19 October 2026
- Introducing Te Papa tour booking page, checked 19 October 2026
- Employment New Zealand: Public holidays, checked 19 October 2026
- Wellington Museum admission changes and City Gallery Wellington exhibitions, checked 19 October 2026
FAQs About Te Papa Museum And A Te Aro Stay
Is Te Papa Museum free?
Entry is free for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand. Since 17 September 2024, international visitors aged 16 and over, including Australians, pay NZ$35, and international visitors under 16 enter free. Special exhibitions, guided tours, StoryPlace, parking and paid events cost extra for everyone.
What are Te Papa's opening hours?
Te Papa is open every day from 10am to 6pm and closes only on Christmas Day, according to its website. Bush City outside closes at 5pm, Te Papa Cafe runs 9am–5pm with its kitchen closing at 3pm, and Espresso on Level 4 runs 10am–4pm. Check public holiday hours before visiting.
How long should I spend at Te Papa?
Te Papa says most visitors spend two hours or more, many recommend at least four, and its 2024 figures put the average international visit at 121 minutes. Allow two to three hours for Level 2 and part of Level 4 on a first visit, then a second, shorter visit for Toi Art and the Māori and Pacific galleries.
Where is the colossal squid at Te Papa?
The colossal squid is in the Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians area of Te Taiao | Nature on Level 2. Te Papa describes it as the only colossal squid on display in the world. It is included with museum entry, and the museum suggests allowing about 15 minutes, including the video and touchable models.
When does Game Worlds open at Te Papa and how much is it?
Game Worlds runs on Level 4 from 12 December 2026 to 26 April 2027, and tickets are released on Monday 2 November. Adults pay NZ$30, children aged 5–15 NZ$15 and under-5s go free. International visitors can buy museum entry and Game Worlds together for NZ$60.
Is there parking at Te Papa?
Yes. Te Papa has its own car park off Cable Street. During the day (8am–5pm) the first 15 minutes are free, then it is NZ$5 an hour for up to four hours and NZ$6 an hour after that, capped at NZ$40 a day. Evenings cost NZ$2 an hour. Contactless entry needs a New Zealand card.
How far is Te Papa from Te Aro?
Te Papa is at 55 Cable Street on the Wellington waterfront. The City Tree Hutt B listing puts the waterfront and Te Papa about a 10-minute walk from the apartment. Te Papa says most Wellington buses stop on Courtenay Place and Willis Street, a few minutes' walk from the museum.
Are Te Papa guided tours worth it?
They suit short stays. The one-hour Introducing Te Papa tour leaves at 10.15am, 12pm and 2pm and is listed from NZ$50 for adults, or from NZ$77 with international entry. Te Papa's pages differ on whether tours include entry, so check what your booking includes and confirm the price at checkout.
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What is on at Te Papa over Labour Day weekend 2026?
Labour Day is Monday 26 October 2026. Te Papa lists a free Urban Nature Activities morning on Sunday 25 October and a free Wild Wellington waterfront walk with Michael Szabo on Monday 26 October at 11am, which needs booking. Check the events page for changes before you go.
Is Te Papa good for kids?
Yes. International visitors under 16 enter free, the two Discovery Centres on Level 4 are free for children up to 12 with an adult, and Bush City has a fossil dig, swing bridge and cave. Preschoolers can join StoryPlace sessions on Level 2 for NZ$5 per child and NZ$5 per adult.
How many guests does City Tree Hutt B sleep?
The listing says City Tree Hutt B sleeps up to two guests in one bedroom with a queen bed and one bathroom. It has a fully equipped kitchen, heating, air conditioning, a washing machine and dryer, and 500 Mbps Wi-Fi. Check-in is from 3pm by lockbox and check-out is by 10am.
How do I get to Te Papa from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane?
Fly into Wellington Airport, which is a short drive from the city centre, then take a taxi, shuttle or bus to Te Aro. Check airline timetables for current trans-Tasman services. Australians pay the NZ$35 international entry fee at Te Papa. From City Tree Hutt B the museum is about a 10-minute walk, according to the listing.
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