An exhibition of Tūrangawaewae Art at Te Papa in 2018. Photo: Supplied/ Te Papa
One of Te Papa's floor levels is to be closed down for at least nine months for repairs, after rust was found in a sprinkler system.
The national museum Te Papa Tongarewa plans to close down the upper level of its art gallery Toi Te Papa from 19 May.
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Te Papa communications leader Kate Camp said the corrosion on level 5 was found mid-2023 during an inspection, and the sprinkler system must be replaced.
However it was not yet known exactly how long the repairs would take or how long the gallery would remain closed.
It comes as the future of Wellington City Gallery, one of the country's leading art galleries, faces uncertainty as nearby demolition and construction have led to operating hours of only a few evening hours each day and the future closure of its main entrance.
Te Papa houses the national art collection of more than 40,000 artworks, and level 5 is used to display them.
No other parts of the museum are affected, and the art gallery space on level 4 will remain open throughout the level 5 closure.
Toi Te Papa opened in 2018, costing $8.4 million dollars.