Our purpose 

To understand and treasure the past, to enrich the present, and to meet the challenges of the future.

Our impact

• Extraordinary experiences, new knowledge, and new connections.
• Healing, reconciliation, and empowerment.
• A thriving natural environment.

Our priorities

Hāpai ahurea

Transforming museum practice by centring Māori and communities in the care, understanding, and sharing of their taonga

  taongatreasuresMāori, mātauranga

  mātaurangaMāori knowledgeMāori, and kōrero

  kōrerodiscussion, talkingMāori.

Upholding the mana

  manaprestige, authority, importance, powerMāori of all cultures and communities.

Tūrangawaewae

Exploring our relationships with each other, as Tangata Whenua

  Tangata WhenuaIndigenous people of Aotearoa New ZealandMāori and Tangata Tiriti

  Tangata TiritiPeople of the TreatyMāori, in this unique place. Offering a place to stand and a uniquely Aotearoa New Zealand experience.

Strengthening New Zealanders’ sense of belonging and identity.

Papatūānuku

Exploring our relationships with Papatūānuku

  Papatūānukuearth motherMāori, our environment.

Empowering New Zealanders to care for, protect, and restore Aotearoa’s environment and biodiversity.

Our vision

A Tiriti-based museum, where a collective commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

  Te Tiriti o WaitangiTreaty of WaitangiMāori is fostered and Māori exercise tino rangitiratanga

  tino rangitiratangasovereigntyMāori.

Find out more

See the Annual Report and key documents for Te Papa’s Annual Reports, Statements of Intent, and Statements of Performance Expectations.