Te Papa is also home to a dedicated gallery space, Toi Art. The gallery hosts interactive and immersive works, alongside a roster of showstopping exhibitions. Toi Art also showcases the national art collection, which Te Papa is the custodian of. Its 40,0000 works cover a range of mediums from traditional and contemporary photography to sculpture, and painting. Part of Toi Art’s intention is to remove the barriers of traditional art galleries and show visitors that art is for everyone. Discovering and exploring art is part of the Te Papa experience.
In 2015, Te Papa joined forces with Wētā Workshop to create an exhibition that humanises the stark realities of war. ‘Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War’ follows eight ordinary New Zealanders through the Gallipoli campaign, using their stories and words to explain this harrowing event. Models of the men, at 2.4 times human size, reflect the monumental impact of war. The ground-breaking exhibition combines cutting-edge technology with important historical storytelling for an unforgettable museum experience.
On 14 February 1998, Te Papa opened its doors for the first time. In the 25-plus years since that day, the museum has welcomed almost 34 million visitors.