There is specific information about accessibility for exhibitions under the heading Accessibility | E Wātea anan ki on most exhibition pages.

For visitors with mobility impairments

Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and other mobility vehicles can easily access most of Te Papa. Accessible areas include: 

• all our exhibitions

• our cafes and stores

• most toilets.

You’ll find seats in most exhibitions and along walkways throughout the museum.

The Te Aka Matua Reading Room lift needs to be operated by a staff member. Please let us know if you'll need lift access when booking an appointment at the library.

Hiring wheelchairs and our mobility scooter

Book a wheelchair or mobility scooter

Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice.

For bookings on the day, please enquire at Coat and Bag Check-In by our main entrance. We can’t guarantee wheelchairs or the mobility scooter will be available if you haven’t booked ahead.

We have:

• 10 wheelchairs (two are not self-propelled)
• one mobility scooter (for use for a maximum of 3 hours).

For security, we require a driver’s licence or credit card when hiring the mobility scooter.

Need a scooter beyond the museum?

To enquire about City-Mobility, a Wellington City Council and TSB Bank project, contact Wellington City Council.

Mobility parking

Park close to our ground-floor entrance at one of five accessible car spaces:

• two uncovered
• three covered.

Parking cannot be reserved in advance.

Parking at Te Papa

For visitors who are hard of hearing or Deaf

Most videos at Te Papa have captions.

Our NZSL – plan your visit section covers what you need to know before you visit Te Papa – including a NZSL welcome video

Earmuffs available to borrow

We have earmuffs in adult and child’s sizes available for you to borrow for free from our Coat and Bag service, to use while in the museum. These are designed to muffle noise – not to cancel it out entirely.

For visitors with vision impairments

From time to time, we offer free guided tours designed for visitors with visual impairments, focusing on touch and sound. Please get in touch by emailing accessibility@tepapa.govt.nz if you would like to know when the next tour is.

We are also able to offer these visitors a private guided tour.

Private guided tours

Caption

Toi Art Sensory Tour, 2018. Photo by Jo Moore. Te Papa

Assistance dogs

Certified assistance dogs have the right to access Te Papa when assisting a person with a disability. Please ensure the dog wears the appropriate coat and carries a valid ID card.

Accessible guided tours

We can adapt all our private guided tours. You can also contact us to arrange an adapted education programme.

Private guided tours
Education programmes

Emergencies

Our trained staff will follow procedures in case of an evacuation to safely evacuate all visitors.

Contact us

For any further questions regarding your visit to Te Papa send us an email or call us on +64 (04) 381 7000.