Science and nature

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

Birds of New Zealand
Birds of New Zealand

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

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

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

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.
Whales and dolphins
Whales and dolphins

Researching, caring for, photographing, and displaying the whales and dolphins of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Fossils

Fossils

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 Current
The Current

Idea: Now we know how to do lockdown, let’s lockdown for climate and go car-free one week each month.

How do you feel about this idea?
- The Current – accessible version
Taupō supervolcano and caldera

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.
Community stories: Taking action for nature

Community stories: Taking action for nature

River cleaners, tree planters, possum trappers, and climate crusaders. Explore stories from around Aotearoa of communities taking care of their natural environment.
Science for Lunch talks

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.
ShakerMod: Earthquake Encounters

ShakerMod: Earthquake Encounters

ShakerMod – play an educational Minecraft mod which simulates earthquakes and creates an experiential and playful approach to understanding how to protect our homes against them – Fix. Fasten. Don’t Forget!
Science Express podcasts

Science Express podcasts

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

How to build a BugBot

Learn some robot-making skills by building your own BugBot at home.
A right continental fuss: Zealandia explained

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.
Halting the jolts: How Te Papa resists earthquakes

Halting the jolts: How Te Papa resists earthquakes

How did Te Papa survive the Kaikoura earthquake nearly unscathed?

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Science and nature

Birds of New Zealand

Botany

Spiders and insects

The deep sea

Whales and dolphins

Fossils

The Current

Taupō supervolcano and caldera

Community stories: Taking action for nature

Science for Lunch talks

ShakerMod: Earthquake Encounters

Science Express podcasts

How to build a BugBot

A right continental fuss: Zealandia explained

Halting the jolts: How Te Papa resists earthquakes