Is te papa tongarewa worth visiting? Te Papa is a museum like no other. Rated by Lonely Planet as one of their top 500 places on earth, New Zealand's interactive national museum is a must-visit. If you're new to New Zealand, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa should be at the top of your to-do list.Where is the te papa museum in wellington nz? Current building. The main Te Papa building is on the waterfront in Wellington, on Cable Street. Inside the building are six floors of exhibitions, cafés and gift shops dedicated to New Zealand's culture and environment. The museum also incorporates outdoor areas with artificial caves, native bushes and wetlands.What is the national museum of new zealand? The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand 's national museum, located in Wellington. Known as Te Papa (Māori for "The Treasure Chest"), or 'Our Place', it opened in 1998 after the merging of the National Museum and the National Art Gallery.When did te papa museum open? Te Papa. Part of the remit for Te Papa was to explore the national identity of New Zealand. The official opening took place on 14 February 1998, in a ceremony led by Sir Peter Blake, Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, and two children. The first Chief Executive of the Museum was Dame Cheryll Sotheran.