Spring school holidays 2024

Enjoy science-related activities during the spring school holidays this October.

Below are a selection of events held around Aotearoa New Zealand. Many of the providers have additional non-science activities that could also be of interest. Follow the weblinks to see the latest information and full listings.

NOTE: If you know of any science-related events we have missed, please do get in touch: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz so we can add them in.

• Northland
• Auckland
• Waikato
• Bay of Plenty
• Hawkes Bay
• Taranaki
• Manawatu
• Wellington
• Nelson
• Christchurch
• Otago

Northland

Te Ahu Museum

Daily: Te Ahu Museum in Kaitaia hosts a remarkable collection telling the stories and histories of the Far North District (Te Hiku o te Ika) of Aotearoa. Treasures among the pre-European Māori collection include pounamu, early carvings and the 500 year-old skeletal remains of the extinct kuri.
Find out more: https://teahumuseum.nz

Auckland

Little Scientists!

30 Sep–11 Oct: This science based school holiday programme is in Herne Bay and Hillsborough, Auckland. The programmes are designed for 5–10 year old children, to encourage participation and increase engagement in science.
Find out more: www.littlescientists.co.nz/holiday-programme-auckland.

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

Daily: Explore over 30 live animal exhibits in spectacular habitat displays, including the world's largest Sub-Antarctic penguin colony and amazing underwater viewing tunnels.
Find out more: www.visitsealife.com/auckland.

• Discover more about penguins and browse the wide range of content we have under the Fish, Oceans and Antarctica topics.

MOTAT

MOTAT is New Zealand's largest transport and technology museum and offers a fun and exciting learning experience for visitors of all ages.
Find out more: www.motat.nz

September holiday experience

28 Sep–13 Oct: It's musical mayhem these school holidays – discover how music and sound come to life through science and technology. Make Music is the brand-new hands-on and playful exhibition opening on 28 September.
Find out more: www.motat.nz/events/september-holiday-experience

• Want to know more, see our music and sound resources.

Stardome

30 Sep–11 Oct: In addition to the usual activities, there are three extra fun options to choose from these holidays: Space Race scavenger hunt, water rocket launches, and robotics.
Find out more here: www.stardome.org.nz/school-holidays

• Want to know more, see our resources under our Astronomy and Rockets topics.

Auckland Zoo

Daily: Auckland Zoo is a great place for the whole family, plan your trip around one of the keeper talks, take part in the monthly photo competition or, for a special treat, book a Zoo experience.
Find out more here: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz

Nanogirl

Various dates: The Nanogirl science team will be performing the Nanogirl Bubble Shows at various locations across the country over the holidays.
Find out where here: www.nanogirl.co/upcoming-appearances

• For more on bubbles – check out our article Observing bubbles and activity Investigating bubbles.

Butterfly Creek

Daily during the holidays: Visit Butterfly Creek these holidays for butterflies, animal encounters and lots more, suitable for all ages. During the holidays there will be a life-sized dinosaur walking around, arts and crafts, and face painting.
Find out more here: www.butterflycreek.co.nz and the holiday calendar here: www.butterflycreek.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OCT-HOLS_HOLIDAY-ENTERTAINMENT-CAL.pdf.

• Want to know more, see our resources under our Butterflies and moths topic.

Botanic Gardens

Daily: Visit the Auckland Botanic gardens these summer holidays for fun for the whole family, including plant sales every Thursday. Visit the Living Roof exhibition, looking at how green infrastructure can enhance our urban environment exhibition.

Check out the free School Holiday Creative Workshop: Otherworldly worlds on 7 Oct.
Find out more here: www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz

Auckland Museum

Daily: A wide range of things to do and see, including very early photographs and RELICS: A New World Rises – an immersive Lego exhibition.
Find out more here: www.aucklandmuseum.com/whats-on

Waikato

Waikato Museum

Exscite science gallery

Daily: An interactive science gallery, find out more here: https://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/view/257/exscite-

Bricks 4 Kidz school holiday programme

30 Sep–11 Oct: Experience LEGO® like never before! This hands-on holiday programme is perfect for tamariki aged 5 to 12 years, find out more here: https://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/view/2145883843/bricks-4-kidz-school-holiday-programme

For a complete list of events at Waikato Museum, please visit: https://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/current-exhibitions

Te Awamutu Space Centre

Daily (by appointment): Museum and activity centre suitable for all ages. View the collection of artifacts and memorabilia, along with information displays about space and astronomy. There are many interactive displays, games, toys, puzzles, etc. Have a go with the virtual reality headset to experience what it's like in space.
Find out more here: www.spacecentre.nz

• Want to know more, see our resources under our Astronomy topic.

Hamilton Gardens

Daily: Visit the Hamilton gardens these holidays for fun for the whole family, including the Huddleston airship, chock full of industrial gadgets and mechanical steam engines. Download the free Discovery Trail sheet to help explore an enchanting world of secret-themed gardens.
Find out more here: https://hamiltongardens.co.nz

Bay of Plenty

The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa

9:30am–2pm daily: National Kiwi Hatchery is the leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. For ages 5 and above, join one of their experiences during hatching season (September–March), you'll get to see kiwi eggs being incubated, the hatching process and newly hatched kiwi chicks.
Find out more: www.nationalkiwihatchery.org.nz

Rotorua Library Te Aka Mauri

23 Sep–19 Oct: Visit the Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri for the Solar Tsunamis – Parawhenua Kōmaru travelling exhibition from MOTAT. It introduces participants to the science of space weather and its effects on Aotearoa New Zealand. Discover the realms of magnetism, electricity and geology as you learn how a phenomenon that produces our awesome aurora could also cripple our electricity and communication systems.
Find out more: www.rotorualibrary.govt.nz/whats-on/exhibitions/solar-tsunamis-parawhenua-kmaru

• Find out more about Space weather.

The Unbelieve-a-Bubble Science Show

5–6 October: In Whakatane? – come and join Whizz Bang Science on a journey of questioning and discovery and be amazed by the science that goes into making bubbles so incredi-bubble!
For more information and to book tickets: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/the-unbelieve-a-bubble-science-show/whakatane

Hawkes Bay

National Aquarium

Daily: Visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand – it's home to a wide range of saltwater, freshwater and land animal exhibits from New Zealand and around the world. Plan your visit around the keeper talks and animal feeding.
Find out more: www.nationalaquarium.co.nz

October Holiday Programme

30 Sep–11 Oct: The school holiday programme is based around the new the exciting National Geographic Pristine Seas photography exhibition. Topics include: All the tiny things, Colours and patterns, Scales and feathers, Fishography, and Illusions.
Find out more and register: www.nationalaquarium.co.nz/learn/holiday-programmes

MTG Hawke's Bay

Daily: Visit this award-winning museum, home of the Hawke’s Bay region's taonga and other treasures, including the 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Exhibition.
Find out more: www.mtghawkesbay.com

Taranaki

Puke Ariki

Daily: There is loads to keep everyone entertained, such as be captivated by the exhibition Te Kitenga o Hina as it shares the sacred seasons of Aotearoa, in Te Taiao Taranaki trace the steps of the land from the very beginning to now, Reef Alive is great for anyone curious about the Taranaki's fascinating reef biodiversity.
Find out more: https://pukeariki.com.

The Unbelieve-a-Bubble Science Show

28–29 Sep: In New Plymouth? – come and join Whizz Bang Science on a journey of questioning and discovery and be amazed by the science that goes into making bubbles so incredi-bubble!
For more information and to book tickets: www.eventfinda.co.nz/venue/new-plymouth-girls-high-school-new-plymouth.

Manawatu

Te Manawa Museum

Daily: Explore the museum including the Te Awa – The River exhibition, learn more about its history, meet its inhabitants, explore how we use water and discover how this region was formed.
Find out more: www.temanawa.co.nz

Wellington

Capital E

Daily: There are daily activities and things to do and also some holiday workshops. Book a session in Let’s Get Digital! School Holiday Workshops, there are two sessions for ages 8–10 (1 Oct) and 11–13 (8 Oct). Tamariki aged 6–8 can create a kaleidoscope using recyclable materials (2 Oct).
For more: www.capitale.org.nz/whats-on-at-capital-e and www.capitale.org.nz/school-holidays

Ngā Manu Nature Reserve

Daily: A great day out with hands-on experience with nature and education, experience tours, eel feeding, close encounters with native birds and more.
Find out more: https://ngamanu.org.nz and explore what’s happening during the school holidays: https://ngamanu.org.nz/october-school-holidays-2024

Police Museum

Daily:This museum takes visitors 'up close and personal' with policing methods of the past, present, and future. Your tamariki could participate in the Junior and/or Senior Detective Mystery trails and there are daily museum tours.
Find out more about the museum events and activities: www.police.govt.nz/about-us/history-museum/museum

• Use our activity DNA detective and the Mobile forensic kit – unit plan to explore the use of forensics in crime scene investigations.

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

Daily: Enjoy the native wildlife and bushwalks, visit the many aviaries and kiwi nursery and plan your trip around one (or more) of the daily talks on the kiwi, kākā and tuna (longfin eel). See kai whakairo (carvers) in action at the whare whakairo (carving studio) located just off the carpark.
Find out more here: https://pukaha.org.nz/what-to-expect.

• Whakairo provides a brief introduction to wood carving with videos to explain it further.

Star Safari

Various: Experience the best telescope equipment in Wairarapa and explore the night sky from one of the best places for stargazing in the world, the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve and discover New Zealand’s most famous constellations.
Find out more: https://star-safari.nz.

Space Place

1,2, 8 and 9 Oct: Mission Moon. Take to the stars these school holidays! Experience a day in the life of an astronaut through hands-on science experiments, for tamariki aged 8–12 years old. Find out more here: www.museumswellington.org.nz/mission-moon.

Daily: Visit Space Place these summer holidays for lots of resources on astronomy and fun for the whole family. See the school holiday planetarium schedule there.
Find out more here: www.museumswellington.org.nz/space-place.

• Want to know more, see our resources under our Astronomy topic.

Te Papa

Daily: A great place to take the kids during the holidays with so many exhibitions and things to explore.
For a list of events at Te Papa, visit: www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events.
For school holiday activities running 28 Sep–13 Oct see: www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events/school-holiday-kids-activities.

Wellington Botanic garden

Daily: Visit the Wellington Botanic Gardens these holidays for fun for the whole family. Celebrate the last day of term by going on the last of the year's Glow in the dark titiwai tours.
Find out more here: https://wellingtongardens.nz/our-gardens/wellington-botanic-garden.

Wellington Museum

Daily: For fascinating stories of the Wellington region, visit: www.museumswellington.org.nz/wellington-museum/

Wellington Zoo

Daily: Wellington Zoo is a great place for the whole family to visit.
Find out talk times and more: https://wellingtonzoo.com

Holiday program

30 Sep–11 Oct: Aimed at 5–12 year olds, the Zoo’s holiday programmes are perfect for kids who want to learn about animals and conservation. Each session will explore a different side of the Zoo and its inhabitants. You do need to be in quick to book a place.
Find out more here: https://wellingtonzoo.com/visit/plan-your-day/things-to-do/holiday-programmes

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

Daily: An awesome place to visit with the whole family to see New Zealand’s native wildlife, open 9am–5pm. Check out the daily talks about New Zealand's unique wildlife or take a tour.
Find out more: www.visitzealandia.com

Nelson

The Nelson Provincial Museum

Daily: This museum is the kaitiaki (guardian) of social and natural history and Taonga from the Nelson and Tasman regions, and is New Zealand's oldest museum.
Find out more here: www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz

Christchurch

Christchurch Botanic gardens

Daily: Visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens these holidays, for fun for the whole family. Check our the various tour options.
Find out more here: www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/christchurch-botanic-gardens

School holiday workshops: 30 Sep, 1, 3 and 7 Oct, unleash your child’s imagination with a range of enchanting 1 hours sessions run by the Canterbury Horticultural Society.
Find out more and book a place: www.chsgardens.co.nz/product/school-holiday-programme

International Antarctic Centre

The Antarctic Academy Programme offers daily and multi–day programmes with Antarctic themes. With Science Alive learn about the important role Antarctica plays in scientific discovery, including fun activities focused on electricity, astronomy, and technology. Join a behind the scenes tour, take a Hägglund field trip and more.
Find out more here: www.iceberg.co.nz

• Want to know more, see our resources under our Antarctica topic.

Orana Wildlife Park

Daily: A great place to visit during the holidays for an animal adventure the whole family will enjoy. You could have the chance to get up close and personal with the animals.
Find out more here: www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz.

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Daily: Visit this New Zealand themed wildlife park, including visiting the Nocturnal Kiwi House to see North Island Brown Kiwi. Check out the Junior Keeper and Junior Keeper PLUS programmes for 10–14 year olds during the school holidays.
Find out more here: www.willowbank.co.nz/visitor-info/whats-on.

Otago

Dunedin Botanic Garden

Daily: Visit the Dunedin Botanic Gardens these holidays, for fun for the whole family. Take the 1-hour walk up an extinct volcano, view a wide range of birds and take one of the varied trails.
Find out more here: https://dunedinbotanicgarden.co.nz.

Kiwi Birdlife Park

Daily: Discover the captivating wildlife sanctuary at the Kiwi Park and witness conservation in action, nestled in the heart of Queenstown.
Find out more: www.kiwibird.co.nz.

• Explore our resources on New Zealand’s iconic bird and on conserving our native birds.

Otago Museum

Daily: Otago Museum is always a fabulous place to visit with so much on offer, including a free daily science show all about the ocean that surrounds us. Visit Tūhura – New Zealand's biggest science centre and the Tropical Forest with exotic butterflies and so much more.
Find out more: https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on.

School Holiday Programme: weekdays 30 Sep–11 Oct for ages 5–12, the sessions will include time crafting in the arts centre, exploring the galleries, stargazing in the planetarium, experimenting in the science lab, and playing in the science centre, where a three-storey slide and a tropical forest full of exotic butterflies await.
For more information and to book places: https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/tuhura-holiday-club.

Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary

Daily (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday): Orokonui is a 307 hectare biodiversity sanctuary near Dunedin and is home to many threatened species and habitats.
Find out more: https://orokonui.nz.

Orokonui Junior Ranger School Holiday Programme: Designed for 7–13 year olds, this will give participants a taste of the day-to-day life of working with wildlife at the sanctuary. Programmes run from 10:00am–12:00pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the school holidays.
For more information and to book places: https://events.humanitix.com/orokonui-junior-ranger-school-holiday-programme.

• Find out more about the creation of the Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary.

Sinclair Wetlands, Te Nohoaka O Tukiauau

Daily: Visit the Sinclair Wetlands, a 315-hectare portion of the Lakes Waihola-Waipori wetland complex these holidays and see if you can spot all 46 bird species that live there.
Find out more here: www.tenohoaka.org.nz.

• Read more about wetlands and see the Te repo/wetlands collection – it features our resources on repo/wetlands.

Vanished World

Daily: Take a walk along the vanished world trails or visit the Vanished World Centre and see a range of geological finds including fossils.
Find out more here: https://vanishedworld.co.nz and what they offer during the school holidays here: www.vanishedworld.co.nz/school-holiday-programme.

• Want to know more, see our resources under the fossils topic.