Changes to vehicle access 25 Jul – Nov 2022

Our vehicle entrance will be reduced to one lane from 25 July until the end of November 2022, due to the construction of a new set of traffic lights outside Te Papa.

Info about vehicle access to Te Papa 25 Jul – Nov 2022

Exhibitions On now

Photograph of the colossal squid

The Colossal Squid Te Ngū Tipua

Meet the only colossal squid on display in the world. Find her in the Te Taiao | Nature exhibition.

Read more about Te Taiao | Nature
  • When | Āhea Permanent exhibition
  • Where | Ki hea Te Taiao | Nature, Level 2
  • Cost | Te utu Free exhibition
  • Ages | Te reanga All ages
  • Allow | Me whakarite 15 minutes
  • Accessibility | E wātea ana ki
    • Wheelchair accessible

    Find out more about accessibility at Te Papa

It’s the biggest colossal squid ever caught! Find it in the Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians area in Te Taiao | Nature.

Colossal squid, the most massive invertebrates on the planet, make their home in the cold depths of the Southern Ocean.

Watch a video about how our specimen got from Antarctica to Te Papa, and learn about its bizarre anatomy – touch models of its beak and a tentacle hook.

Download a map of Te Taiao (1.93 MB)

Guide to the collosal squid in New Zealand Sign Language

Activities

  • The inside of an activity book Other: The colossal squid activity book

    The colossal squid activity book

    An activity book to help kids explore the bizarre anatomy of the colossal squid, where it lives, how it came to Te Papa, and what it eats. Suitable for ages 10+.

Discover more Kia kitea ake

See all colossal squid information

Exhibition highlights Taonga whakaatu

Read more about colossal squid on Collections Online

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