Get hands on as you learn about the heritage of these islands at New Zealand's free national museum.
With six floors packed with an array of exhibitions and interactive installations, visitors to the Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand) can explore the history and culture of New Zealand and its rich biodiversity.
'Te Papa' is the Maori name, meaning "container of treasures" and it describes this museum down to a tee. Start off at Our Space, a hands-on high-tech experience with an 18-metre-long interactive video wall. Next up, head for the Awesome Forces exhibit to find out about the natural forces that created the New Zealand’s landscape millions of years ago. While you’re there, step into the shake house which, as its name suggests, simulates an earthquake. Don’t miss the fascinating the light and sound show, which tells the Maori legend of creation.
If you’re interested in flora and fauna, there are over 2,500 different native plant and animal species waiting to be discovered at the Mountains to Sea exhibit. It also has a 495 kilogram squid, which was caught by a New Zealand fishing vessel in the waters of Antarctica back in 2007 and currently lives in a huge tank.
If you love culture, see the fascinating cultural treasures including Maori ancestral carvings, ornaments and weapons. Art buffs can see the country's national art collection of thousands of different pieces by New Zealand artists, photographers and sculptors.
If you have children with you, there are plenty of exhibits that they’ll love. They can dig for dinosaur bones, play traditional Maori games, make puppets and get close to insects. There’s a lot more to discover outside as well. See the urban rainforest at Bush City, where you can crawl through a limestone cave and see the bones of the extinct moa bird.
Te Papa can be reached by bus, with most of the city's routes passing the museum situated on Cable Street on the city's waterfront the main railway station is also only a short walk away. If you’re coming by car, paid parking is available. The museum is open daily, including public holidays. Admission is free, but there may be a fee to enter some of the temporary exhibitions.
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