With helpful Hosts, cafes and shops, and an onsite multimedia database, Te Papa looks after you well. We provide access and help for people with disabilities, plus rooms for parents with young children.
Help and information
Need help finding your way around Te Papa? Our Hosts are happy to assist. You’ll recognise them by their distinctive blue or red shirts.
At the Information Desk, Level 2, you can:
- get up-to-date information on our exhibitions, events, and facilities
- buy our visitor guide, Te Papa Explorer
- buy a ticket for one of our daily guided tours
- hire an audio guide, available in English, Māori or German
The Host on duty at the Information Desk also manages:
the loan of a mobility scooter
lost and found property
See our full list of guided tours.
Cafes
Combine a visit to the Museum with lunch, coffee and cake, or a glass of wine in one of our two cafes, surrounded by our national treasures.
Read more about our cafes.
Shops
Be sure to visit our two onsite shops. Te Papa Store (Level 1) features works from New Zealand's finest artists, authors, and craftspeople. Te Papa Kids’ Store (Level 2) is full of educational and fun gifts for kids.
Visit the online store.
Research library
Te Aka Matua Research Library is a major research and reference resource, with particular strengths in New Zealand, Māori, natural history, art, photography, and museum studies. It is open to researchers by appointment only.
Read more about the library.
Make a library enquiry or appointment.
Coats, Bags / Koti, Pēke
This is a free facility available for visitors who wish to check in their belongings while they enjoy their Te Papa visit. There is always a Te Papa Host on duty to ensure your property is safe and secure. Please note that items cannot be left overnight.
The Host on duty also manages:
- the loan of wheelchairs
- the loan of pushchairs
Disabilities
Te Papa welcomes individuals and groups with disabilities and special needs. All our main exhibition areas, some special attractions, and most toilets are accessible to people with mobility impairments. We also offer:
- disabled parking
- adapted guided tours and education programmes
- wheelchairs and a scooter
- audio guides
- captions on videos and hearing-aid loops.
Read more about our facilities for people with disabilities.
Parents' rooms
Te Papa has two parents’ rooms – in Te Papa Cafe by the children’s play area (Level 1) and beside StoryPlace (Level 2).
The rooms have nappy-changing facilities, breast-feeding chairs, and sinks. You can also find nappy-changing facilities in the women’s toilets by The Marae (Level 4).
Tai Awatea | Knowledge Net
Use this onsite multimedia database to get detailed information about objects and stories from past and present exhibitions. Tai Awatea computers are located throughout the Museum.
Access Tai Awatea | Knowledge Net.