WellingtonSee & Do
Exterior of the Wellington Museum, a blue building with a red door.

Wellington Museum

Experience the stories of Wellington and its people. From maritime history, early Māori settlement, and the city’s evolution since becoming the capital in 1865.

One of the many jewels of Wellington’s waterfront, Wellington Museum resides in a beautifully restored former cargo warehouse. It reflects Wellington’s history and tells the stories of its people. From its maritime history, and Māori and European settlement, to its growth as a region, and its evolution since becoming the capital in 1865.

Wellington’s harbour has served as a vital trade hub throughout its history. The waterfront was a hive of activity in the late 1800s as it helped supply goods to a growing country. Since the museum sits in an 1892 cargo storage building, it’s only fitting that the first experience you have is an immersive one. Reflecting the wharf at the end of the 19th century, sacks, barrels, the sounds of a busy wharf, and a scuttling ‘rat’ or two will greet you as you enter.

One of the first exhibitions you’ll discover is Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Playful and fun, it tells Wellington stories inspired by its natural and cultural landscape. Discover the people, art, and environment of the city through treasures, activities, and play. A large-scale timeline takes you on a journey from creation to today. Works from local artists show the city through their eyes.

Inside a room at the Wellington Museum with wood flooring, wood-paneled walls and ceiling, two mannequin busts dressed in nautical jackets and three rotary phones displayed on a blue octagonal pillar in the middle of the room.

Spread over three additional floors, Wellington Museum has many stories to tell. There’s a room that tells 100 Wellington tales, starting from 1900. It features the great waterfront strike of 1913, the death of New Zealand’s famous author Katherine Mansfield in 1923, the saddle of Wellington Zoo’s Kamala the elephant, and a tribute to Kirkcaldie and Stains, New Zealand’s longest-running department store. There’s also an exhibition where you can watch Māori legends come to life through holographic special effects. A room up in the attic holds a time capsule that will take you on a 14-minute journey through Wellington’s history.

The top floor has a moving tribute to New Zealand’s most significant shipping tragedy — the Wahine disaster. In 1968 the ferry that travelled between New Zealand’s North and South Islands floundered in Wellington Harbour during a storm. There were 51 lives lost.

On top of the stories, displays, and curiosities, this museum regularly runs events, lunchtime talks, music gigs, workshops, and temporary exhibitions. All to further reflect Wellington’s history and its people.

Looking for more?

Entrance to He Tohu at The National Library of New Zealand.

He Tohu at National Library of New Zealand

Home to a declaration, a treaty, and a petition — New Zealand’s founding documents are at the National Library of New Zealand.

The exterior of Te Papa Tongarewa, half glass and half concrete.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

New Zealand’s national museum reflects the country’s identity, history, and culture.

The exterior of the New Zealand Parliament building at 1 Museum Street, Pipitea in Wellington at sunset with pink-coloured clouds in the sky above.

New Zealand Parliament Tours

Walk the corridors of power and see where New Zealand laws and policies are made.

The monument at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is located in, Te Aro, Wellington.

Pukeahu National War Memorial Park

A short walk from the centre of the city lies Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. It is a place to reflect on New Zealand’s experience of war, military conflict, and peacekeeping, and how it shapes the national identity.

A young child looking through a book at the new Zealand police museum.

New Zealand Police Museum

Telling the stories of how police have dealt with some of the country’s most infamous crimes, disasters, and other events.

Young children pointing up at the Earth projected onto the digital planetarium and Space Place.

Te Ara Whānui ki te Rangi Space Place

Space Place is home to a digital full-dome planetarium, the historic Thomas Cooke telescope, and interactive galleries and exhibitions.

A grandpa and grandchildren walking through vintage cars at the Southward Car Museum.

Southward Car Museum

Discover the largest private car collection in Australasia at this world-class museum on the Kāpiti Coast.

The exterior of the City Gallery with 5-metre tall hand statue ‘Quasi’ standing atop.

City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi

Wellington’s contemporary art gallery is a dynamic cultural presence. You’ll find exhibitions that delight and challenge.

An adult and child walk alongside a fountain at the Wellington Botanic Gardens ki Paekākā. Pink and red roses surround them.

Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā

You’ll find manicured rose gardens, winding pathways and spectacular views over more than 25 hectares.

Inside the dining room of the Katherine Mansfield House on Tinakori Road. Blue walls are covered in decor from the 19th century, including a wall of china plates. The table is set with candleabra and pink china.

Katherine Mansfield House & Garden

Take a step into 19th-century colonial Wellington and the life of Katherine Mansfield. One of the world’s most acclaimed writers and proud Wellingtonian.