The Museum of New Zealand or Te Papa Tongarewa (a Maori expression which roughly translates to ‘the place of the treasures of the land’) is the national museum as well as the foremost art gallery of New Zealand. Informally it is known simply as Te Papa or Our Place. Situated in Wellington this appealing institution is frequented by locals and visitors alike.
This groundbreaking modern museum is intended to educate and entertain every visitor to the institution irrespective of age or preferences. It demonstrates a number of significant concepts such as giving due recognition to the original native inhabitants of the islands and the principle of multi-disciplinary cooperation.
This expansive and captivating institution spans six storeys of fascinating exhibits and other features. There are a number of permanent collections at the institution, which always attract the attention of the visitor. ‘Slice of Heaven: 20th Century Aotearoa’ is an engrossing exhibit which depicts the concerns and issues which dominated the period, resulting in today’s society. The themes depicted include such issues as Social Welfare and the State, International Relations, Maori in the 20th century and Diversity and Civil Rights.
Another key exhibit explores the transformation that occurred in the islands after the arrival of humans. This exhibit details the array of species that were introduced to the country by humans and their impact on the environment. Additionally visitors can try out the interactive computer feature ‘Survivor’.
On the other hand the ‘Our Space’ display highlights the issue of identity as it relates to New Zealanders. It focuses on issues such as attitudes towards the national identity, perceptions of one another, the history of the islands and their past and future. This innovative section employs cutting edge technology which enhances the overall experience.
Additionally the museum also showcases the wonders of nature, such as the largest colossal squid ever to have been recorded. With such a variety of fascinating exhibits a visit to the museum will undoubtedly be a captivating experience.
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Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
