International visitors to New Zealand will be charged a $35 fee to enter Te Papa.
In a statement, the museum said the charge would begin on September 17, 2024 and apply to all international visitors aged 16 years and older.
Entry to the museum would remain free for New Zealanders, who would self-identify their nationality and would not need to present identification.
Te Papa's chief executive Courtney Johnston told 1News the new charge for international visitors was expected to contribute "several million dollars" toward the $30 million the museum must earn each year, as it also received $44 million in funding each year from the Government.
"This is a considered and necessary decision to ensure that Te Papa can continue delivering a world-class experience in the face of rising costs," she said.
The country's national museum won't be asking people to prove their nationality and entry for New Zealanders will remain free. (Source: 1News)
In the 2023/2024 financial year, there were 591,062 international visitors to Te Papa. Of those visitors surveyed, the museum said 98% were satisfied with their visit. It is rated as the Top Attraction in New Zealand and Top Attraction in the South Pacific in the TripAdvisor 2024 Travellers' Choice Awards.
"As well as a visitor destination, Te Papa is a major research facility and a highly-specialised storehouse for over two million collection items," said Te Papa's Māori co-leader Arapata Hakiwai.
"Whether it's looking after visitors or looking after taonga, the costs of doing our work are increasing, and this will help us meet those costs, while ensuring open access for New Zealanders," he said.
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