In the room
The experience
Te Marae o Rongomaraeroa is the national marae inside the Te Papa Tongarewa museum on the Wellington harbour. Carved under the direction of Cliff Whiting of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, the wharenui is a contemporary statement that traditional Māori architecture is a living language rather than a museum piece. The interior is a luminous riot of carved totara, painted kowhaiwhai, and woven tukutuku panels. Sunday afternoon kapa haka performances are free and open to the public. Approach respectfully. Follow the kaitiaki's lead. Use Māori, iwi, mana whenua throughout.
Insider tip
Walk in knowing
Sunday afternoon kapa haka performances are free and public. Approach respectfully, follow the kaitiaki's lead.
Why it fits
Why it is in the atlas
A sacred space where indigenous music is performed with full ceremonial weight, inside a contemporary masterwork.
Plan the trip
When to go, hours, getting there
Best time to go
Sunday afternoons for free public kapa haka performances. Daytime visits to the marae any day Te Papa is open. The museum's Matariki (Māori New Year, June-July) programming features extended music and ceremonial events.
Hours
Te Papa museum daily 10:00 to 18:00 (free entry). Kapa haka performances Sundays at 14:00 typically. Marae viewable from the museum walking circuit; protocol-respecting visits arranged via the museum.
Getting there
Walk from Wellington Railway Station 15 minutes south along the harbour. From Wellington Airport, the Metlink Airport Express (AX) bus runs via Courtenay Place and Lambton Quay; allow 25 to 35 minutes to Wellington Station. Te Papa faces the harbour at Cable Street.
Straight from the source
Official site and tickets
Dates and tickets come from the venue itself. Opens tepapa.govt.nz in a new tab.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Where is Te Marae o Rongomaraeroa (Te Papa)?
Te Marae o Rongomaraeroa (Te Papa) is in Wellington, New Zealand. Coordinates: -41.2906, 174.7822.
What kind of music is at Te Marae o Rongomaraeroa (Te Papa)?
Te Marae o Rongomaraeroa (Te Papa) programmes Waiata, Kapa Haka, Māori Traditional. Cliff Whiting's contemporary national marae inside Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand. A wharenui that belongs to all iwi rather than one. Sunday afternoon kapa haka performances free and public.
When is the best time to visit Te Marae o Rongomaraeroa (Te Papa)?
Sunday afternoons for free public kapa haka performances. Daytime visits to the marae any day Te Papa is open. The museum's Matariki (Māori New Year, June-July) programming features extended music and ceremonial events.
How do I get to Te Marae o Rongomaraeroa (Te Papa)?
Walk from Wellington Railway Station 15 minutes south along the harbour. From Wellington Airport, the Metlink Airport Express (AX) bus runs via Courtenay Place and Lambton Quay; allow 25 to 35 minutes to Wellington Station. Te Papa faces the harbour at Cable Street.
Why is Te Marae o Rongomaraeroa (Te Papa) in the Sonic Paths atlas?
A sacred space where indigenous music is performed with full ceremonial weight, inside a contemporary masterwork.
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Stay
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