A mystery item that caused the evacuation of Te Papa is "not suspicous", police say, and it has been allowed to reopen.
Newshub understands more than 100 people were told to leave the national museum on Wellington's waterfront before 3pm on Thursday afternoon.
Photos from the scene showed fire and police vehicles parked up outside Te Papa's entrance. A police officer could be seen putting up tape to stop onlookers coming too close.
Police say the building had been evacuated as a precaution while specialist groups searched it.
In a social media post, Te Papa said it would close for the rest of the day as specialist teams swept the building.
"We will update you as soon as we can about our status for tomorrow Friday. Our apologies for any inconvenience."
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson had earlier on Thursday afternoon been giving a speech at Te Papa for the Civil Contractors Conference. However his press secretary told Newshub he'd left by the time the evacuation occurred.
National Party leader Judith Collins was also a keynote speaker at the conference but her press secretary said she learned of the evacuation on the way to the conference, so didn't end up going.
