Te Papa to begin building $121 million Biodiversity Research Centre in Upper Hutt
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Te Papa is set to proceed with the construction of a purpose-built Biodiversity Research Centre in Trentham, securing the future of some of New Zealand’s most significant natural history collections.
Directly funded by government, the facility is a $155 million investment in New Zealand’s scientific future.
Replacing an ageing and earthquake-prone storage building in Wellington, it ensures the survival of the world's largest collection of New Zealand and Southern Ocean fishes, alongside other globally significant specimens.
Opening in 2028, the world-class facility will replace the museum’s current storage site in Wellington, which is earthquake-prone and no longer fit for purpose.
“The Te Papa Biodiversity Research Centre is critical for New Zealand’s scientific future,” says Te Papa Board Chair Chris Swasbrook.
“These aren’t just museum specimens – they’re the foundation of New Zealand’s biodiversity research and their preservation is pivotal for future generations,” Mr Swasbrook says.
Te Papa Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Courtney Johnston emphasised the national significance of the collections that will be housed at the new facility.
"Our fish collection alone represents decades of scientific work and underpins crucial research in fisheries, biosecurity, and environmental science,” says Ms Johnston.
The new 6,600 square metre facility in Trentham, Upper Hutt, has been designed for seismic resilience and sustainability, targeting a 5-Star Green Star rating. It will support collections through to 2080 and includes state-of-the-art storage, research laboratories, and backup systems.
Te Papa Kaihautū | Māori Co-Leader Arapata Hakiwai said the facility has been developed in partnership with mana whenua with mātauranga Māori principles at its heart.
“These collections are more than scientific specimens – they embody our relationship with the natural world and our responsibility as kaitiaki,” Dr Hakiwai says.
The project has received independent validation from Crown Infrastructure Delivery, which confirmed it is well-managed, compliant, and offers value for money.
In a demonstration of fiscal responsibility, Te Papa has achieved $10.9 million in savings through value-for-money procurement, which will be returned to the Government while still allowing the project to proceed.
“Through careful management and diligent procurement, we’ve been able to deliver savings to the Government while securing this essential infrastructure for New Zealand’s scientific future,” says Te Papa Board Chair Chris Swasbrook.
He paid tribute to the Te Papa team, who have brought the project through from concept to design and now into the construction phase.
“An enormous amount of groundwork has been put in by the Te Papa project team led by Lisa Tipping and Grant Manson,” Mr Swasbrook says.
Mr Swasbrook also acknowledged Te Papa Board Member Professor Dame Juliet Gerrard, who has led the project’s governance group.
“Juliet’s guidance of the project and her connections in the scientific community have been invaluable,” Mr Swasbrook says.
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the facility due for completion in early 2028. A twelve-month transition period will ensure the safe relocation of the specimens without compromising their scientific integrity.
The Government is investing $112.5 million in the project over the next three years. The project is projected to cost $155.4 million overall. It previously received $42.9 million through Budget 2022.
What will be in the Te Papa Biodiversity Research Centre?
The new facility will house more than 866,000 specimens of fish, invertebrates and reptiles, which are stored in jars of alcohol, sometimes known as “spirit collections” or “wet collections.”
The oldest specimen in the collection is a hoki, caught in Wellington Harbour | Te-Whanganui-a-Tara in 1869.
In addition to specialised collection storage, the new facility will include purpose-built laboratories and research spaces.
About Te Papa
As well as being New Zealand’s number one tourist attraction, Te Papa is a major research facility, and cares for over two million collection items across natural history, art, mātauranga Māori, history and culture.
Te Papa receives $44 million annually from government for baseline funding and must earn a further $38 million annually from commercial activities, partnerships and philanthropy.
ENDS
Media Contact: Kate Camp, Te Papa Head of Marketing and Communications kate.camp@tepapa.govt.nz, 029 601 0180