Science and nature

Botany, fishes, birds, insects, fossils, molluscs – read about Te Papa's scientific research and stories from leading natural history experts.

Colossal squid

All you’d want to know about the colossal squid – from its anatomy, to how it was found.

Spiders and insects

Insects, arachnids, myriapods, bugs, creepy-crawlies, moths, butterflies and their allies.

A black and white aerial photo of a city in ruins after an earthquake.

Faultlines: Earthquakes in Aotearoa New Zealand

Around 20,000 shakes are measured every year in Aotearoa New Zealand – about 55 a day – our whenua (land) never stops shaking. Plates collide. Pressure builds. The land ruptures. How do we cope with living on such shaky ground?

An illustration of an ash volcano exploding over landscape and lakes

Taupō supervolcano and caldera

Our biggest volcano isn’t a cone. It’s Lake Taupō, formed about 25,500 years ago in the massive Ōruanui eruption.

A set of bones in a flat plaster cast on a black background

Fossils and dinosaurs

Te Papa’s collections and research on dinosaur bones, animals, and plant fossils from past geological ages, and the people involved in the discovery of their remains.

The top half of a brushtail possum clinging to a tree.

The Current

Idea: To control possums, we should consider using gene editing instead of 1080 poison or trapping.

How do you feel about this idea?

Community stories: Taking action for nature

River cleaners, tree planters, possum trappers, and climate crusaders. Explore stories from around Aotearoa New Zealand of communities taking care of their natural environment.

Crustaceans of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific

Crustacea includes lobsters, crabs, shrimps, prawns, hoppers, wood lice, water fleas, and several other groups. Most crustaceans live in the sea but some are found in freshwater or on land. The one thing they all need to survive is water, or at least a moist habitat.

A lot of different fish on a blue background.

The deep sea

Colossal squids, fishes, and creatures of the deep. Te Papa holds the largest and most comprehensive collection in the country, and the largest collection of New Zealand fishes anywhere in the world.

Tail of a whale as it dives into the ocean

Whales, dolphins, and sharks

Researching, caring for, photographing, and displaying the whales, dolphins, and sharks of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Underside of a fern frond with brown seed pods

Botany

Te Papa’s botanical collections and research encompass marine algae (seaweeds), lichens, mosses, liverworts, lycophytes, ferns, and seed plants.

A kaka, a type of parrot with red under its wings

Birds of Aotearoa New Zealand

Birds are an important part of New Zealand's nationhood. We are the only nation where the people are often colloquially known by a bird name – ‘Kiwi’.

Science for Lunch talks

From deep-sea creatures to earthquake hazards, hear about the latest scientific discoveries in and around Aotearoa, straight from the experts.

Science Express podcasts

Listen to a range of podcasts covering topics such as climate change, Ebola, radiation therapy, alpine fault drilling, and forensics.

Children look at the Bug Bot they've made

How to build a BugBot

Learn some robot-making skills by building your own BugBot at home.

A right continental fuss: Zealandia explained

Dr Hamish Campbell, Te Papa’s geologist in residence from GNS Science, talks about the news that intrigued the world in February 2017 – that it can legitimately be claimed that Zealandia is a distinct continent.

A lizard-like reptile with white spines on its back and head is standing on rocks and moss.

Tuatara – Longtime resident

The tuatara hasn’t changed much for at least 19 million years.