Accessibility at Te Matapihi
The building features:
Step-free access and wide automatic doors at every entrance
Four lifts to every floor (which are easily large enough for a wheelchair)
Accessible bathrooms on every floor
Quiet spaces
A low sensory room with ambient lighting and soft furnishings, located underneath the escalators on the ground floor
Blister paving strips on the floor to indicate that you are approaching stairs
WiFi-based Hearing Assistance system throughout Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui
Accessible via provided neckloops or a smartphone app for personal Bluetooth devices to support standard hearing accessibility as well as translation services, gallery exhibitions, and silent discos.
Getting into the building
There are five ways to enter the Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui - four entrances and via the basement.
Kōpurawhetū Tomokanga | Victoria Street Entrance
Rangaranga-te-muri Tomokanga | Harris Street Entrance
Pūkohukohu Tomokanga | Te Ngākau Entrance
Te Whare Atua Tomokanga | Mezzanine Entrance
Te Tūāpapa | Basement
Kōpurawhetū Tomokanga
Victoria Street Entrance
Located on Victoria Street, this is the main entrance to Te Matapihi. The entrance is step-free with wide automatic doors. Entering here brings you directly onto Te Papa Whenua | Ground. Lifts accessed directly from the atrium provide step-free access to all public floors.
Rangaranga-te-muri Tomokanga
Harris Street Entrance
This entrance is located on Harris Street, near the Harris Street and Victoria Street corner. It provides step-free access through wide automatic doors. After entering, you are on Te Papa Whenua | Ground with lift access to all public levels.
Pūkohukohu Tomokanga
Te Ngākau Entrance
This entrance faces Te Ngākau Civic Square and provides step-free access through wide automatic doors. It opens onto Te Papa Whenua | Ground and connects directly to the internal route through the building between the Square and Harris Street.
Whare Atua Tomokanga
Mezzanine Entrance
This entrance is accessed from Harris Street at the mezzanine level after following the external ramping on the north side of the building. It is step-free with wide automatic doors and is commonly used for group arrivals. From here, across the bridge, lifts and internal stairs connect to all public floors.
Te Tūāpapa
Basement
The basement level is accessed from Harris Street. Four accessible car parks are available in the basement, and step-free access to public areas is provided via internal lifts connecting to all public levels.
Moving around the building
Lifts connect all public levels, with four lifts sized to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids.
Accessible bathrooms are available on every level.
Blister paving is used to indicate the approach to stairs.
Escalators travel upwards only, stairs and lifts provide downwards access.
Sensory and neurodiversity support
- Quiet spaces are available throughout the building.
- Our Te Whaitua Mārū | Low Sensory Space is located on the Te Papa Whenua | Ground , with ambient lighting and soft furnishings. Ask at the Pae Manaaki | Manaaki Desk for access.
Hearing and communication access
- A Wi-Fi based hearing assistance system operates throughout Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui.
- The system can be accessed using provided neckloops or your smartphone using the app.
- The system also supports exhibitions, translation services, and programmed experiences.
Wayfinding and support
- Clear, accessible wayfinding uses simple language, visual cues, and predictable layouts.
- Staff at Pae Manaaki | Manaaki Desks are available to help with orientation, finding spaces, and accessing services.
Assistance animals
Assistance animals are welcome throughout Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui.
Ongoing commitment
Accessibility has been reviewed during the design and development of Te Matapihi, including engagement with accessibility advisors and disability organisations.
If you have a question about accessibility, you can contact us
Ngā Pātai Auau
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Service Animals are permitted inside Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui.
All other pets are not allowed in the building.
If you have specific access needs, please speak with the team at a Pae Manaaki | Manaaki Desk or contact us at tematapihi@wcc.govt.nz. We’re here to help.
Yes. Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui has been designed to be accessible for everyone.
Features include:
- Step-free entrances with wide automatic doors
- Lift access to all public levels
- Accessible toilets on every level
- Te Whaitua Mārū | Low Sensory Space
- A WiFi-based hearing assistance system
- Accessible car parks in the basement
If you have specific access needs, please speak with the team at a Pae Manaaki | Manaaki Desk.
65 Victoria Street, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand.
Yes, Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui includes a dedicated Te Rūma Kaitiaki | Caregivers' Room with baby changing and feeding facilities, on Te Papa Whenua | Ground, adjacent to the Taiwhanga Tamariki | Children's Event Corner.
Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui is located in Te Ngākau Civic Square in central Pōneke, Wellington.
It’s easily accessible by bus, train, bike and on foot.
Visit Plan Your Visit for transport options and directions.
Toilets are available on each level. You can find the exact locations at Floor Maps.
There is no dedicated public parking attached to Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui.
Accessible car parks are available in the basement (via managed access).
Public parking buildings and on-street parking are available nearby.
Visit Plan Your Visit for more information.
Tūnga Waka Pēpi | Buggy parking is available on Te Papa Whenua | Ground. You can view the exact locations at Floor Maps.