Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Introducing Te Papa Tour

Embark on a small group guided tour of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa and delve into the fascinating history, culture, and wildlife of this premier attraction in Wellington.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa - Make your way to Te Papa, located in a distinctive modern building that sits on the waterfront in Wellington’s city center. You can choose from several times throughout the day for the 60-minute guided tour.
    Your guide introduces the museum’s collections of art and design, photography, history, Maori and…
What's Included
  • 60-minute guided tour
  • International visitor admission fee (two-day entry)
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Entry fee to any short term paid exhibitions
Additional Information

Explore the highlights of New Zealand’s top museum, Te Papa, with a guided tour that offers a fantastic introduction to this essential Wellington attraction.
Embark on a journey with your guide that starts over one hundred million years ago, delving into New Zealand’s vibrant history and cultures. Listen to tales of the country’s unique wildlife, the…

Location
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Cable Street
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(114 Ratings)
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Marysue_b
Apr 7, 2026
Museum - Our tour was excellent and our guide very personable and knowledgeable! Beautiful museum! Very glad we booked the tour and spent the day learning so much!
Review provided by Viator
Lent
Mar 29, 2026
Beautiful Museum Not to Miss - Beautiful museum well laid out. Exhibits divided up nicely plenty of room. Arrive early since many school groups arrive late morning. Expect to spend at least 2 hours but can certainly spend more time. Great gift shop with many items from all over the country standard pricing. Definitely would not miss.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Genevieve_l
Mar 23, 2026
1 hour great overview of Te Papa museum - Sam, our tour guide, was very energetic and dynamic, and pointed out numerous highlights during this one-hour introduction to the museum. He rightly recommended that we then take our time to look more deeply into our preferred exhibitions. This was the perfect way to get an overview of the variety of subjects - history, nature, geography, culture - available to visit at this magnificent museum. One could easily spend all day here! Thank you, Sam, for your passion, clarity and humour!
Review provided by Viator
920gemma
Mar 14, 2026
A real gem. Should be the No1 visit in Wellington - This is a stunning museum and gallery. It costs around $20 for non NZ residents. It is worth every cent and you can use your ticket the next day. Wonderful thought provoking and interactive displays. Excellent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tastjames
Mar 14, 2026
Brilliant museum - Absolutely fabulous! Well curated museum with every small detail attended to. We went as a couple but would have loved this when our children were younger - so much thought had been put into ensuring all ages were engaged. I saw several children enthralled by the interactive activities and it was lovely to see. There was a challenge to see if you could tip the scales to be more than the biggest Moa ever, a tsunami activity and so much. Tickets are for 48 hours and this is so helpful because there is so much to take in - visiting over two days could be useful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Billcb8276ef
Mar 11, 2026
An astounding museum - An absolutely astounding establishment full to the brim with informative exhibitions, culture, and people. One definitely requires more than a day alone to visit Te Papa. Given the weather while we were in Wellington, the museum was a much needed respite.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hbhakh
Feb 17, 2026
Great museum - We visited Te Papa while on a city tour of Wellington, It included a 1 hour guided tour of the highlights. The museum is impressive (you could spend days) and the tour guide did a great job of showing us the highlights. After the tour, we took a few minutes to walk through the Gallipoli exhibit. It is also impressive, particularly the sculptures done by the folks at WETA. This is a highlight of Wellington.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joy2026
Feb 2, 2026
Discovering Wonders At Te Papa - The Te Papa Museum is truly one of the most awe-inspiring places I’ve ever visited. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable, always pointing us toward the best exhibits and helping us discover hidden gems throughout the museum. One of the highlights is the colossal squid, an unforgettable sight that feels larger than life. Beyond that, the museum offers fascinating displays about the history of New Zealand, unique bird species, and cultural treasures that make the experience both fun and educational. What I love most is that the exhibits are beginner-friendly, making it easy for visitors to explore at their own pace while still learning so much. Overall, Te Papa is not just a museum—it’s an adventure, and one of the most enjoyable places I’ve ever been.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ann
Jan 20, 2026
.....visit - Te Papa Museum is an outstanding place to experience the heart of New Zealand’s history and culture. The exhibits are interactive, well-designed, and suitable for all ages. Māori heritage, natural history, and modern art are presented beautifully, making the visit both educational and enjoyable. The museum is spacious, well maintained, and located in a perfect waterfront setting. Staff are friendly and informative, and entry is free, which is incredible for such a world-class museum. A must-visit attraction in Wellington.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H1910eobryanb
Mar 2, 2026
Te Papa Tour - $ 170. for two admissions and a 1 hr tour was overpriced. Walk Wellington was much better experience/value.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $44
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).