Education Minister Chris Hipkins blasts Te Papa over nappy changing facility

Education Minister Chris Hipkins. Photo / Paul Taylor

Education Minister and father of two Chris Hipkins has criticised Te Papa over its provision of nappy changing facilities – in the women's toilets.

Hipkins tweeted his displeasure today saying: "Hey Te Papa, I know you are a museum and all that but in the 21st century men change nappies too!"

He tweeted the signage on the women's toilets door which included an icon of a baby.
Hipkins and his partner had a baby girl last year.

Hipkins, who has a toddler son as well, took parental leave for three weeks last year.

Te Papa spokeswoman Kate Camp said there are four different parents' facilities at Te Papa.

"It looks like the one the minister saw was the one where the door to the women's toilets is also the door to the disabled toilet and the parents' room," she said.

"There has been a bit is a misunderstanding around the signage there, and I think it is a good heads up that we could tweak that signage - but all our facilities for looking after kids are gender neutral."

Hey Te Papa, I know you’re a museum and all that but in the 21st century men change nappies too! pic.twitter.com/g79o3OQALL

— Chris Hipkins (@chrishipkins) February 7, 2019

The Te Papa website says there are three parents' rooms with nappy-changing facilities, breast-feeding chairs and sinks in the Te Papa Cafe by the children's play area level 1; beside StoryPlace on level 2; and beside Art Studio on Toi Art on Level 5.

It says there are also nappy changing facilities in the women's toilet by Te Marae, level 4.