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Science and nature

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

  • Photograph of a colossal squid
    Colossal squid

    Colossal squid

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

  • Spider on a yellow background
    Spiders and insects

    Spiders and insects

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

  • An aerial photo of a city in ruins after an earthquake.
    Faultlines: Earthquakes in Aotearoa New Zealand

    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

    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, dinosaurs, and taniwha

    Fossils, dinosaurs, and taniwha

    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.

  • A blue tent set up for camping in a tree-lined area. There is a sunset in the background.
    The Current

    The Current

    Idea: To protect our environment, freedom camping should be banned.

    How do you feel about this idea?

  • School kids cleaning a river of plastic
    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 New Zealand of communities taking care of their natural environment.

  • A spiny lobster on a white background.
    Crustaceans of Aotearoa New Zealand

    Crustaceans of Aotearoa New Zealand

    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.

  • Fishes of New Zealand poster
    The deep sea

    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 and dolphins

    Whales and dolphins

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

  • Underside of a fern frond with brown seed pods
    Botany

    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 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’.

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    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.

  • Photograph of a wave breaking on a beach
    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.

  • Children look at the Bug Bot they've made
    How to build a BugBot

    How to build a BugBot

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

  • Watercolour painting of Milford Sound
    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.