Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural environment. Experience powerful kōrero that celebrate Māori as tangata whenua – the indigenous people of Aotearoa. Hear extraordinary stories from Te Moana nui-a-Kiwa Pacific peoples. Find your favourite paintings, sculptures, photographs, or artworks from the national art collection.
Find out what is coming up and currently showing at Te Papa in Wellington
Opening in December, Game Worlds is a major exhibition celebrating over 50 years of play. Experience more than 30 iconic Videogames and 44 playable moments, from groundbreaking 1970s titles to today.
Opening in December
12 Dec 2026 – 26 Apr 2027
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
The Maori Women’s Welfare League is celebrating 75 years of supporting wāhine Māori (Māori women). Discover their extraordinary mahi (work) – tātau tātau, everyone’s welcome!
Open now
Fri 25 Sep – Jan 2027
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Experience over 140 whakairo (carvings) spanning seven centuries – many never exhibited before. He Toi Whakairo: The Art of Māori Carving showcases creativity, ancestral narratives, and contemporary innovation. Every carving is an expression of artistic excellence and human dignity.
On now
29 Aug 2026 – August 2031
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Talented artist and botanist Nancy Adams had a passion for algae and seaweed. This small display of collected specimens and vivid watercolours celebrates the centenary of Adams’ birth.
On now
Wed 22 July – November 2026
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Badges are small objects that tell big stories. These miniature billboards broadcast statements of identity and belonging. Explore over 200 badges expressing commitment and resistance in this small but mighty exhibition.
On now
16 Jul to 22 Oct 2026
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Slow Burn showcases the diversity of photography by women and non-binary artists in Aotearoa New Zealand from the 1960s to today.
On now
Feb 2026 to Jan 2027
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Fresh takes and new favourites. You’ll find them in Toi Art – the home of the national art collection.
Discover new artists, get creative in the family-friendly Art Studio, or spend time with a favourite artwork.
On now
Long-term exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
This ground-breaking exhibition tells the story of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I through the eyes and words of eight ordinary New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.
On now
Long-term exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Born in Tīmaru in 1926, Phar Lap was a legendary racehorse and an adored animal hero for a generation of people in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. You can pay your respects to his bones on permanent display at Te Papa.
Open
Permanent exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
You’re the explorer in our Te Taiao | Nature exhibition zone. Celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural environment – and get ready for our future as kaitiaki.
On now
Permanent exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Mana Whenua takes you on a stirring journey that explores and celebrates Māori as tangata whenua (the indigenous people) of Aotearoa New Zealand.
On now
Permanent exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
An authentic and inclusive marae (communal meeting place) for the 21st century.
On now
Permanent exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
The navigation of the Pacific by waka hourua | double-hulled sailing waka is one of the great achievements of human technology. This exhibition celebrates the mātauranga of celestial navigation that enabled these extraordinary voyages.
On now
Long-term exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Discover how the Treaty has shaped relationships between the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand.
On now
Permanent exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Visit three karetao-puoro (instruments that are figures too) created by artist James Webster to give karetao a voice by incorporating taonga puoro into their design. Watch the whānau of karetao in action in Tokotū (Rise Up), the story of Ranginui and Papatūānuku.
On now
Wed 5 Jun – late 2026
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Celebrate the story of Pacific people, past and present, in all areas of life.
On now
Long-term exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
See the record-breaking Britten V1000 motorbike, designed and built by Kiwi genius John Britten.
On now
Long-term display
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Meet the only colossal squid on display in the world.
On now
Permanent exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Learn about the Moriori people who inhabit Rēkohu | the Chatham Islands.
On now
Long-term exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Remarkable stories of people who migrated to New Zealand over the last 200 years.
On now
Long-term exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Young refugees invite you to hear their extraordinary stories.
On now
Long-term exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Explore New Zealand’s dramatic transition from untouched paradise to cultivated land.
On now
Long-term exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Step outside into a living, growing exhibition. Explore native bush and a volcanic landscape.
Please note: Bush City and parts of the amphitheatre are closed from Monday, 16 March, through to mid‑May for the Riser Pipe Replacement Project.
Open now
Bush City closes each day at 5pm
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Go underground to see the amazing Kiwi innovation that ‘puts the brakes on’ in an earthquake.
On now
Permanent exhibition
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
John Parker is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive ceramic artists. Simple lines, clean edges, and industry-inspired forms feature throughout his 50-year career.
On now
On now
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
See which of our exhibitions are touring Aotearoa New Zealand
Badges are small objects that tell big stories. Pinned close to a beating heart, they are miniature billboards, broadcasting statements of identity and belonging.
Experience these powerful symbols of commitment and resistance when this exhibition comes to your town.
TOURING
Ka tāpoi huri noa i Aotearoa Touring Aotearoa New Zealand soon
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
More than 50 works from across Dame Robin White’s 50-year career will form what the artist describes as a ‘family reunion’, bringing together works from 22 galleries and living rooms across the country.
TOURING
Currently touring
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Te Papa and the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake are taking Rūaumoko: Restless land around Aotearoa New Zealand to promote natural hazard awareness and preparedness.
TOURING EXHIBITION
Currently touring Aotearoa New Zealand
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Combining the expertise of scientists from NIWA and Te Papa, this touring exhibition invites the public to meet Aotearoa New Zealand’s most famous crustaceans!
TOURING EXHIBITION
Currently touring Aotearoa New Zealand
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
This exhibition presents the work of four photographers who capture the dynamic practice of contemporary Sāmoan tatau (tattooing) over the last 40 years.
TOURING EXHIBITION
Currently touring Aotearoa New Zealand
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Because they live at extreme depths in freezing water, us humans know very little about the colossal squid’s life, they are very rarely captured or seen. Find out about different parts of the colossal squid using Interactive objects and rotating models.
TOURING EXHIBITION
Currently touring Aotearoa New Zealand
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
An exhibition created by Te Papa working closely with Ngāi Tahu, featuring more than 200 taonga pounamu (Aotearoa New Zealand greenstone treasures).
TOURING EXHIBITION
Currently touring Aotearoa New Zealand
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Stunning photography – landmarks from Kupe’s voyage. Host this touring art exhibition at your venue.
Illustrations from a rare first edition, and more. Host this touring exhibition at your venue.
Te Papa exhibitions on tour. Is your museum or gallery interested in hosting one of Te Papa’s touring exhibitions? Consult our tour schedules for availability and contact us for more information.
Browse our past exhibitions
E kau ki te tai e, e kau ki te tai e! Celebrate the thriving waka community.
Closed
Nov 2022 to May 2026
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Breathe | Mauri Ora illuminates the hidden forces surrounding us, revealing the sublime through sensory journeys beyond our everyday perception. This exhibition features major digital artworks on an awe-inspiring scale from London-based collective Marshmallow Laser Feast (MLF). Through guided meditation, large-scale video works, and interactive experiences, you evolve from droplets of water to plants, cells, and stars, becoming part of the cycle of life and the cosmos.
Closed
13 Dec 2025 - 27 Apr 2026
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Ricky town... population Ricky.
This small, short-term display of the clothes Actor Julian Dennison wore as Ricky Baker celebrates the 10th anniversary of Hunt for the Wilderpeople, directed by Taika Waititi.
Closed
2 - 23 Apr 2026
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Created by Vivienne Westwood Limited and produced by Nomad Exhibitions, this retrospective exhibition celebrates the iconic jewellery of renowned British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood (1941–2022).
Closed
17 Jan–27 Apr 2025
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
A suite of exhibitions where artists and makers express their relationships with the natural world.
Closed
23 Sep 2023 – 19 May 2024
Look at exhibitions presented at Te Papa, going back to 1998.
