Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Te Papa is Aotearoa New Zealand’s national museum. It is where our stories are told, our taonga are cared for, and our shared identity is explored and celebrated.
But creating world-class exhibitions, conducting world-leading research, and offering all New Zealanders greater access to their cultural and natural heritage comes at a cost. Each year, Te Papa must raise almost $40 million to continue our mahi.
Every gift counts.
On 14 February 1998, Te Papa opened its doors for the first time. Twenty-eight years on, millions of people have walked through our galleries, connected with taonga, and discovered the stories that shape Aotearoa and Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
To mark this milestone, we're launching our 2026 Annual Appeal and inviting our community to support our mahi.
$50 helps to care for and conserve taonga
$100 supports learning resources for tamariki and rangatahi
$250 helps to bring Aotearoa New Zealand's stories to live through exhibitions
$500+ supports Te Papa’s programmes across conservation, research, and education.
No matter the size, your donation helps Te Papa remain a place of connection, learning, and pride for all New Zealanders.
A gift to Te Papa Foundation is a gift to the nation.
*Donations over $5 are tax-deductible in New Zealand.
Te Papa Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. All donations directly support the museum’s work, and are tax deductible in New Zealand.
By giving to Te Papa Foundation, you are helping to:
Uphold Te Papa’s role as kaitiaki of our cultural and natural heritage
Ensure access to knowledge, history, and creativity for everyone
Pass on the stories, values, and taonga of Aotearoa to future generations
Your support today is an investment in our shared future.
Donating to the Te Papa Foundation enables world-leading research, important preservation work on our national collection. There are many ways you can play a part in supporting Te Papa and enjoy a closer relationship with our national museum.
The annual giving programme starts at just $10 a week and offers access to exciting benefits designed to bring you closer to the museum, its collections and community.
Bequests are one of the simplest ways to provide for Te Papa’s future. Gifts of art, artefacts and other objects are welcome and may be transferred to Te Papa subject to its Collections Acquisition Strategy.
