Exhibitions On now

Moa skeletons

Te Taiao | Nature

Ko au te taiao, te taiao ko au | I am nature, nature is me

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

  kaitiakiguardiansMāori | Noun
.

Mātauranga MāoriMātauranga Māori Māori knowledge  meets science in these interactive exhibitions about our weird and wonderful wildlife, our shaky land, and the innovative ways we’re protecting our natural taonga

  taongatreasuresMāori | Noun
.

See all exhibitions
  • When | Āhea Permanent exhibition
  • Where | Ki hea Level 2
  • Cost | Te utu Free
  • Ages | Te reanga All ages
  • Allow | Me whakarite 1–2 hours
  • Accessibility | E wātea ana ki
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Subtitles on all videos
    • Tactile, opportunities to touch and smell
    • Lots of hands-on interactives
    • Sounds of nature, some sudden noises
    • Variable lighting

    Read more information about accessibility in Te Taiao

Te Taiao | Nature includes four main exhibition areas and two lounges:

Exhibition areas

Te Ika Whenua | Unique NZ

Follow in the footsteps of Māui

  Māuia Pacific hero who performs amazing featsMāori | Noun
the explorer, and meet our weird and wonderful wildlife. How did species here become unique – or downright odd? Why are so many of our animals and plants gigantic, flightless, or a bit drab (until you get to know them)?

Whakarūaumoko | Active Land

Enter the realm of Rūaumoko, god of volcanoes and earthquakes, and explore the geological forces that shape our shaky land.

The Quake House is back to give you a shake-up, so get ready to drop, cover, hold.

Te Kōhanga | Nest

Step into the Nest and immerse yourself in birdsong. Which native birds are thriving, threatened, or extinct? Touch their eggs to find out. In the centre is a fragile moa egg – a symbol of lost mauri

  maurilife-forceMāori
and hope.

Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians

How are we helping to protect our native species? Get ready for our future – as kaitiaki

  kaitiakiguardiansMāori
 of our natural wonders. How can we make our rivers, lakes, and seas healthy again? How are innovative Kiwis tackling the challenges of climate change?

Here you can also find the colossal squid!

Lounges

Te Papa Hui | Backyard

Families, take a break on a comfy couch in this spacious lounge area.

Backyard’s also the place for nature-themed events and school holiday programmes.

Te Whare Rākau | Treehouse

Make yourself at home in this cosy lounge. Leaf through a book, enjoy the view from the window seat, or snuggle into the low-sensory nook and take some time out.

Guide to Te Taiao | Nature in New Zealand Sign Language

For educators Mā te pouako

Book a class visit through Te Taiao | Nature with our Learning Team.
See education visits in Te Taiao
Children touching models of kiwi feet

Exhibition highlights Taonga whakaatu

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