If you are only transiting Wellington and don’t have much time to see the sights, this is one place you need to visit. Te Papa Tongarewa, "Our Place," is New Zealand’s national museum and it is FREE. It tells the story of New Zealand’s people and land through a variety of different displays. Many of the displays are permanent, but they do offer a variety of temporary exhibits.

Te Papa can be found on reclaimed land on the waterfront. It really is a lovely walk along the waterfront where the Te Papa looms ahead of you. The striking, modern architecture will catch your attention as soon as you lay your eyes on it. This area of town also has a plethora of restaurants at Courtenay Place and Cuba Street where you can relax your feet and your mind after taking in so much information. Better yet, break your visit up into chunks as to not burn out on it. That said, I am not much of a museum person and it kept me occupied most of the morning.

We thought we covered a large amount of the museum, but now realize that we saw maybe half of what there was to see. Many of the exhibits were intriguing with hands-on displays. For example, the Passports exhibit told the story of immigrants to NZ (especially Italian Immigrants). As you may know, Maoris are considered natives to NZ and all of the other settlers came from other places such as Europe, Australia, South Pacific, Asia, etc. This display tells the stories of different groups of people who migrated here from how they got there to what they brought, etc.

There are so many areas to visit I can’t even start to describe all of them here. They have a great website where you can find out all sorts of information about the museum: Te Papa
You will go away having learned something about the culture of the Maori, plants and animals of New Zealand, Earth’s forces upon New Zealand, immigration, sheep, and overall general history of New Zealand from its beginnings to present day.

The museum is open every day from 10am to 6pm and until 9pm on Thursdays. Entry is free, but there are donation boxes if you are feeling generous and would like to help with this amazing museum. Wheelchairs are available at the museum and most of it is accessible. Te Papa has special learning facilities for children who are especially welcomed here.

This is definitely a place I would visit again. I missed so much of what the museum had to offer. There is something for everyone here. If you don’t like museums, don’t let this one scare you away. Many people come away surprised that it is as wonderful as it is. This may be the only place you will see a kiwi bird while you are in NZ. You may have to settle for the stuffed one rather than the real thing.

I definitely have to say that of all the museums I've ever been to, this one held my attention for the longest period of time. The national museum of New Zealand, or "Our place," had a lot of stuff that obviously isn't in other museums, and all this stuff can keep you looking for many days without getting bored.

I went here for half a day and then proceeded to go back for half a day more on my return to Wellington. The best thing about the museum is that you can do just that--you can leave and come back and see a few more exhibits whenever you want, because it's free! Of course, they have a huge store that goes along with the museum, which is how they get your money.

But anyway, the exhibits were fantastic and ranged from Maori culture (with greenstone, paua, houses, canoes, artwork, and more) to the special exhibit on the 1970s! I wasn't such a fan of the "earthquake house" that you stand in while it shakes--I thought it would be a lot more interesting, but the ground just bounces a bit and you're done.

Of course, there are the obligatory stuffed and plaster animals, which was cool because it was our first glimpse of an actual kiwi bird. I found it amusing that they had a stuffed armadillo, being from Texas.

But overall, it was a great experience and definitely one of the highlights of Wellington, and I know that if I ever go to Wellington again, I'll go back, because I missed a lot and their exhibits are always changing. Also another plus for this museum--they are the ones who put together "The Lord of the Rings" exhibition that toured the world the past couple of years, and it is currently, as I write, back in the museum, with new props, costumes, and the like.

And when you are done with all the indoors stuff, they have an outdoors area that is supposed to highlight all the natural wonders of New Zealand, including fake glowworms in their cave roof!

Many people told me that this was the must-see activity in Wellington. I think that if you are interested in the cultural history of the Maori, then it is MUST-see. It is also FREE!!! It is the national museum of New Zealand that includes a permanent collection dedicated to Maori history and changing exhibits that included New Zealand painting, the history of the shawl, and Italian immigration to New Zealand. It is too large a museum to really see in a day. But it’s a great place to get to know the history of the Maori people. It is located right on the wharf and provides a beautiful place to sit and watch the boats on the harbour. The gift shop, though REALLY expensive, has some beautiful Maori-inspired jewelry.

The Te Papa museum is the ultimate must if you are visiting Wellington. Entry is free, but you'll find a donation box as you walk in. The museum showcases some of the best cultural works in New Zealand, along with an in-depth history of the Maori people. You can check the museum website for special events, such as readings, dance shows, and new exhibits. The museum is open every day.

I am not very fond of museums normally, but this is a MUST-SEE! This is a great museum and a good place to take kids. You will learn almost everything there is to know about New Zealand, including its history and culture from the very beginning to the present. You will see an exhibit about New Zealand's natural forces, including earthquakes, volcanoes, and plants and animals. Bush City is an outdoor exhibit that recreates New Zealand's natural habitats. A great exhibit is dedicated to the Maori culture, and other exhibits include the history of immigration to New Zealand, the significance of sheep to the country, and an art gallery.

Te Papa is definitely worth a visit. Forget just looking at objects behind layers of glass, as Te Papa has a look-and-touch kind of setup with lots of buttons and knobs to press and flashy lights. The stay-in exhibits are interesting to view and read information about, but the main attractions can be the short-term exhibits, such as Lord of the Rings, which ended earlier this year. You pay for such exhibits and some of the rides. The Virtual Bungee is great fun, as was the virtual sheep-shearing.

General entrance is free, but there are donation boxes if you’re feeling generous. It will take a good portion of the day to view all levels of the exhibits; don’t be fooled and try and rush everything within an afternoon. You will find something really interesting, and just as you get into the story, you have to go. There are a number of cafés and restaurants in Te Papa on every level, so you can stop halfway for a snack, lunch, or dinner. Also, there are shops in Te Papa, so you can purchase an everlasting memento of Te Papa.