Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Overview

A giant new interactive exhibition exploring the capital's history has arrived at Wellington Museum.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara has been created in collaboration with mana whenua and Wellington-based artists, creatives and scientists. The exhibition explores Wellington's history in a giant interactive timeline, starting all the way back at Te Orokohanga (creation). The exhibition includes the explorations of Polynesian navigator Kupe, as well as the Haowhenua earthquake, the iconic Absolutely Positively Wellington campaign of the 90s and the Covid-19 pandemic of today.

Works from Wellington artists are on show, as well as an interactive wind turbine station and a station to help visitors create their own pepeha, which they can use to introduce themselves in te reo Māori and leave greetings for other museum-goers.

Visitors are able to explore their own place within the city in this thought-provoking interactive exhibition, both figuratively and literally — a super high-definition satellite image of the region will be laid out on the carpet floor so you can spot your flat, family home or hotel.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara is open 10am-5pm daily, with free entry for all.