Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington (must see)

Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand, stands as a prominent national institution and ranks among the world's most frequented museums. Established in 1992 and revamped in 1998 following the amalgamation of the National Museum of New Zealand and the National Art Gallery, it was designed by Jasmax Architects.

Previously recognized as the Dominion Museum and National Art Gallery, its origins trace back to the Colonial Museum founded by James Hector in 1865. Initially housing scientific collections, prints, paintings, curiosities, and antiques, it shifted focus towards Fine Arts upon the construction of the new Dominion Museum building.

Commonly referred to as Te Papa (Māori for 'the treasure box'), it welcomes approximately 1.5 million visitors annually. Te Papa's primary objective lies in the exploration and presentation of New Zealand's cultural and historical identity, as reflected in its name, which means "container of treasured things and people that spring from mother Earth here in New Zealand."

Spanning six floors, the museum integrates native flora and artificial caves into its landscape. Onsite amenities include cafes and gift shops. Its diverse exhibits encompass the History Collection, the Elgar Collection, as well as cultural artifacts, interactive displays, and items highlighting Maori culture and New Zealand's history.

The History Collection showcases textiles, stamps, fossils, and archaeozoological specimens, including the world's largest colossal squid, weighing over 1,000 pounds and measuring 14 feet long. Meanwhile, the Elgar Collection features English and French furniture and paintings.