One of Te Papa's research facilities in Wellington has been closed for earthquake strengthening.
The Tory Street building houses the National Fish Collection, where more than 240,000 fish and marine animal specimens are kept.
Museum spokesperson Kate Camp said the building was not damaged in the November earthquake, but a seismic check found it did not meet the standard required for buildings that housed natural collections.
She said it was not known when the building would reopen, but it was likely to be before the end of the year.