Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Wellington Museum's new ground floor exhibition.

Celebrating what is quintessentially Wellington, the exhibition has been developed in collaboration with mana whenua and Wellington-based artists, creatives and scientists.

Playful, poignant and full of surprises, the exhibition tells Wellington stories inspired by its natural and cultural landscape. Make discoveries about Wellington’s people, art and environment through, toi and taonga from our collection and tamariki activities.

Explore significant Wellington events with the large-scale timeline beginning at Te Orokohanga (creation). From the explorations of the Polynesian navigator Kupe and the Haowhenua earthquake circa 1460 AD, right through to the memorable Absolutely Positively Wellington campaign which started back in 1991, and the Covid-19 pandemic our city is still navigating today.

Newly displayed taonga from the museum’s collection tell unique stories of the city from Nicky Hagar’s seized and smashed hard drive to Dame Catherine Healy’s Umbrella.

Artists Xoë Hall, Derek Cowie and Ariki Brightwell also share their unique interpretations of Te Whanganui-a-Tara through vibrant, commissioned works.

Walk like a giant on the carpet flooring which maps out the city from a super high-definition satellite image of the region. The image is so clear you can spot your flat, family home or hotel!

Learn how to introduce yourself in te reo Māori at the interactive station Nō Hea Koe? and play with the wind turbine display in Lively Landscapes.

Open daily | 10am – 5pm | Wellington Museum