Our play space is open Monday-Saturday, 9.30am-3.30pm. Learn more.
Our play space is open Monday-Saturday, 9.30am-3.30pm. Learn more.
Artist impression, Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, exterior. Image credit: Positively Pōneke.
Watch the video below where Adam shows us the way to our new home.
Image credit: Wellington City Council
Image credit: Wellington City Council
Image credit: Wellington City Council
You’ll find Nōku te Ao Capital E in two dedicated spaces in Te Matapihi. We will have our play space for under 5s, on the mezzanine floor and our Digital Studios where we run learning programmes and school holiday workshops on level two. In addition to these spaces, we will run workshops and events for tamariki across Te Matapihi.
You’ll find library services, a large cafe, Wellington City Archives in Tō Tātou Pōneke, Wellington City Council customer services, active spaces for meeting and making connections, a Maker Space, quiet spaces to study and read, and more.
Yes, there will be elevators, and ramps inside and outside the building to navigate your way around.
Opening day is March 14, 2026. We hope to see you there!
We will move out of the 4 Queens Wharf building and relocate to Te Matapihi in Te Ngākau Civic Square this summer.
Our opening hours will remain the same when we move into Te Matapihi. For our play space, the hours will be Monday to Saturday 9.30am-3.30pm, closed Sundays. Session times for our learning spaces (bookable for school groups) will also remain the same, Monday to Friday during term time, with three session options 9.30am, 12.30pm, and 3.30pm.
Birthday parties are now fully booked for 2025. You’ll be able to book birthday parties in our new spaces next year, stay posted for when bookings open by signing up to our email newsletter.
Our play space in Te Matapihi is being designed and built by Scott Parker, an exhibition and experience designer who brings over 15 years of experience in creating inspiring public spaces for tamariki. Learn more about Scott below.
No, our play space will remain free to enjoy. As a charity we appreciate donations to help create a fun, safe and creative space for tamariki and whānau to connect.
Yes, you will be able to bring your pram through Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui to our play space on the mezzanine floor, where there will be a safe place to park it.
Yes, there will be safe storage areas inside the play space where you can leave your belongings.
Yes! Our play space will have two bathrooms, including one that is fully accessible. In both bathrooms you’ll find paper towels for drying hands (instead of scary hand dryers). There will also be tamariki-friendly bathrooms in other areas of Te Matapihi.
They will be new and improved! In our purpose-built learning spaces on level two of Te Matapihi you’ll find Te Rūma Pāpāho OnTV, our production studio, and Te Taiwhanga Arapāho MediaLab that you know and love, with new computer equipment, desks, swivel chairs and more cool things.
Some of the learning programmes you know and love will remain, some have been reimagined, and there are a lot of new programmes that will be rolled out from term 2, 2026! Learn more about the new programmes and how we’ve collaborated to deepen the ways ākonga use digital technologies to connect in innovative ways.
Construction of Capital Discovery Place, 1991
Wellington City Council Archives, 00557-701-23
Opening of Capital Discovery Place, 1992
Wellington City Council Archives, 00557-505-10
