A 60-minute guided tourNot included:Museum entry ticket

Adult: 16 years +Children: 5-15 years

Māori Highlights Guided Tour at Te Papa Museum

North Island

Museum Of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

from

NZ$75

per adult

Book Now

Visitors listening to a guide beside the traditional Māori waharoa on the Māori Highlights Tour at Te Papa Wellington

Experiences

History and Māori Culture

Family-friendly Tours

Half-Day Tours

North Island

Start: Wellington

Travel Time: 1 hour

Māori Highlights Guided Tour at Te Papa

This Māori highlights tour at Te Papa Tongarewa offers a welcoming introduction to te ao Māori — the Māori world. Led by skilled and experienced hosts, the one-hour tour focuses on key Māori content and concepts found within Te Papa’s collections. It’s designed for visitors seeking a meaningful first step into understanding Māori culture.

Using a selection of significant taonga (treasures), guides share stories that reflect foundational aspects of Māori history, values and identity. The tour is thoughtfully curated as an overview rather than a deep dive. Its aim is to spark curiosity and provide context that enhances the wider museum visit.

International visitors: This ticket includes the guided tour only. International visitors also require a museum entry ticket to access Te Papa’s galleries.

Visitor interacting with a Māori cultural display on the Te Papa Māori Highlights Tour

Visitors exploring the Signs of a Nation exhibition on the Māori Highlights Tour at Te Papa Wellington

Te Papa Māori Highlights Tour guides standing beside the traditional Māori waharoa in Wellington

Guide explaining Māori taonga and traditional artefacts on the Te Papa Māori Highlights Tour

The Ranginui Door at Rongomaraeroa Marae during the Māori Highlights Tour at Te Papa Wellington

Manutuke Kura inspired Māori artwork on the Māori Highlights Tour at Te Papa Wellington

Visitors connecting with Te Kōhatu Mauri o Rongomaraeroa at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington

An Introduction to Te Ao Māori Through Taonga and Story

This guided tour introduces te ao Māori through carefully selected taonga that reflect important ideas, traditions and worldviews. Each object helps illustrate how history, values and identity are interconnected within Māori culture, with guides providing clear and engaging explanations. The experience is designed as an accessible overview that does not require prior knowledge.

Guests join a small group for a guided walk lasting approximately one hour, focusing on selected Māori collections rather than every gallery. The format allows time for questions and reflection while maintaining a comfortable pace. It’s well suited to first-time visitors seeking cultural context during their time at Te Papa.

A 60-minute guided tour

Not included:

Museum entry ticket

Adult: 16 years +
Children: 5-15 years

More than 24 business hours before tour starts: Full Refund**
Inside 24 business hours: Non-refundable

Note: *Excludes credit card or payment fees if applicable, which are non-refundable.

Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Your ticket is valid for 48 hours from the entry date printed on it. You can enter, leave, and re-enter the museum as many times as you like within this period.

Yes, visitors who need assistance can request a free companion ticket for one support person. This applies to both adult ticket holders and international visitors under 16 years old, who receive free general admission. No proof of support requirements is needed.

Yes, photography for personal use is allowed in most areas of the museum, but flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks are not permitted. Some exhibitions or displays may have specific restrictions on photography, which will be clearly marked. Please respect these guidelines to ensure the safety of exhibits and the comfort of other visitors.