Accessing the collections and archives
Go beyond our exhibitions to discover more of the collections and archives.
Go beyond our exhibitions to discover more of the collections and archives.
On this page:
Access the collections
View the Te Papa Archives
Access the collections
For members of the public
- Exhibitions at Te Papa
- Guided tours, including back-of-house tours
- Collections Online – including selected object information
- Contact us to request full records
For researchers
- Research library (by appointment)
- Borrowing or viewing for research
For museums and galleries
For people with a personal connection to an object
- Contact us to arrange to see a collection or taongataonga Māori cultural treasure you have a connection to, eg, through your whānauwhānau family, hapūhapū sub-tribe, iwiiwi tribe, or region.
Restrictions
Access to some objects, or object information, may be restricted if they’re:
- unusually fragile, or light sensitive
- of spiritual or cultural significance to certain community groups
- confidential
- in use, eg, on loan or being researched.
View the Te Papa Archives
Cost: Free
When: Monday–Friday, by appointment only
Where: Level 3, 169 Tory Street, Wellington
Our Archivist identifies and cares for Te Papa’s public records – from historical documents such as Sir James Hector’s letters and the National Art Gallery archives, to research material and collected archives relating to all subject areas covering our wider collections.
Search
You can search our archives on Collections Online.
Alternatively, contact us, and our Archivist will search the archives for you.