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.

Mātauranga Māori 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.

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 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 and hope.

Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians

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

Download a map of Te Taiao | Nature (2.03 MB)

Guide to Te Taiao | Nature in New Zealand Sign Language

Te Ika Whenua | Unique NZ
The Endemic Wall, 2019. Te Papa

Te Ika Whenua | Unique NZ
Moa, 2019. Photo by Maarten Holl. Te Papa

Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians
The colossal squid, 2019. Te Papa

Whakarūaumoko | Active Land
Quake House, 2019. Photo by Maarten Holl. Te Papa

Te Kōhanga | Nest
Looking at a moa egg, 2019. Te Papa

Te Ika Whenua | Unique NZ
Looking at moths, 2019. Photo by Maarten Holl. Te Papa

Whakarūaumoko | Active Land
Designing a quake safe building at the shake table. 2019, Te Papa

Te Ika Whenua | Unique NZ
Looking at insects under a microscope, 2019. Te Papa

Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians
Albatross, 2019. Photo by Maarten Holl. Te Papa

Whakarūaumoko | Active Land
Watching the Taupō Super-volcano animation, 2019. Te Papa

Te Kōhanga | Nest
Inside Te Kōhanga, 2019. Photo by Maarten Holl. Te Papa

Whakarūaumoko | Active Land
Stories of resilience, 2019. Te Papa

Whakarūaumoko | Active Land
Tsunami Tank: Trigger a tsunami in a wave tank and watch its effects, 2019. Photo by Michael O'Neill. Te Papa (13634

Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians
Looking at native fish, 2019. Te Papa

Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians
Posing inside creatures of the deep, 2019. Te Papa

Ngā Kaitiaki | Guardians
Making a pledge to the environment in the Climate Converter, 2019. Te Papa

Unique NZ | Te Ika Whenua
 2019. Te Papa

Te Whare Rākau | Treehouse
2019. Te Papa

Te Papa Hui | Backyard
2019. Photo by Michael O'Neill. Te Papa (136357)

Discover more

Kia kitea ake

For educatorsMā te pouako

Book a class visit through Te Taiao | Nature with our Learning Team.

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Supported by the New Zealand Government

Core partners

Grant partners

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