Enjoy science-related activities during the autumn school holidays. Below are a selection of events held around Aotearoa New Zealand. Many of the providers have additional non-science activities that will be of interest. Follow the weblinks to see the full listings and for the latest updates.
NOTE: If you know of any science-related events we have missed, please email us enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
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
Auckland Botanic Gardens
Daily: Visit the Auckland Botanic gardens these autumn holidays for fun for the whole family, including plant sales every Thursday and music in the park. Check out the variety of things on, such as:
- Workshop celebrating creativity and nature
- EcoFest Whaanau Fun Day, Free Nature Photography Workshop (Ages 14+)
- Leaf Mould Workshop
- Nature Photography for beginners.
Find out more here: www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz.
Auckland Museum
Daily: Auckland War Memorial Museum tells the story of Aoteroa New Zealand, its place in the Pacific and its people.
Find out more: www.aucklandmuseum.com.
The Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches daily exhibition has been extended until 27 April. Participate in the Bite & Seek: A hloodsuckers hunt.
Striped mosquito Aedes notoscriptus
This mosquito was introduced to Aotearoa in 1920s and is currently widespread in the North Island and down to Lyttleton in the South Island. The females like to feed via biting of both humans and animals, with their preferred feeding times evening and early morning.
For more on at Auckland museum, go to: www.aucklandmuseum.com/whats-on.
Auckland Zoo
Daily: Auckland Zoo is a great place for the whole family. Look out for the daily keeper talks: from porcupines, flamingoes, kiwi, red pandas and more. Get closer to wildlife and make memories to last a lifetime with a Zoo Experiences and/or take an immersive tour through the six stunning habitats of Te Wao Nui.
Find out more here: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz.
EcoFest
22 March–22 April: A month-long celebration of unique environment and sustainable living across Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. EcoFest is packed with interactive workshops, experiences and activities for all ages that celebrate and restore our natural environment and offer practical ways to live more sustainably.
Little Scientists!
14–24 April: A science-based school holiday programme in Auckland with locations in Hillsborough, Massey, Glen Innes and Herne Bay. 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.
Butterfly Creek
Daily: Part zoo exhibits and part fun attractions, Butterfly Creek offers a unique and fun visit for everyone. Check out our amazing array of animals for you to see, touch and learn about.
Find out more here: www.butterflycreek.co.nz. There are also two holiday programmes (places book up fast) running in April:
- Junior Keeper Rookie programme (aged 7–11) is an introductory programme where kids will learn the basics of animal care including feeding, cleaning and play with the animals.
- Junior Keeper Explorers programme (aged 11–14) is a more in-depth look into animal care designed for older kids where they will learn about conservation, behavior and health.
- Want to know more, see our resources under our Butterflies and moths topic.
MOTAT
Daily: MOTAT is the place to be these school holidays! With two locations joined by free heritage tram rides, daily activities and live shows – holidays have never been so much fun. Uncover stories from the skies of Aotearoa with Te Kōtiu, the new immersive digital experience live at the Aviation Hall. Visit Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre and watch your tamariki surround themselves with the magic of more science, more technology and hands-on exhibitions. Enjoy the Make Music exciting hands-on exhibition.
- 20 April: LIVE Day: Emergency First Response. Get up close with our local community heroes and see how they keep us safe every day.
- For all of April – teachers visit free!
Find out more: www.motat.nz.
Stardome
Daily: A wide range of planetarium shows including Ngā Whetū o Ngahuru (The Stars of Autumn), Accidental Astronauts, Mars 1001, Astronaut and 3-2-1 Liftoff!. Enjoy these interactive planetarium experiences.
Find out more: www.stardome.org.nz.
- Want to know more, see the wide range of resources under our astronomy topic.
Waikato
Hamilton Gardens
Daily: Visit the Hamilton gardens these holidays for fun for the whole family. Join the friendly and knowledgeable tour guides for a journey of hidden stories, secret symbols, interesting snippets and new insights into some of the most popular gardens. Include a visit to Te Parapara Garden – New Zealand's only traditional Māori productive garden.
Find out more here: https://hamiltongardens.co.nz.
Te Parapara Garden
Kūmara plants, growing in Te Taupa at Te Parapara Garden.
Te Parapara is designed to incorporate two realms representative of both wild, uncultivated foods and cultivated or farmed foods. Te Ara Whakatauki (Path of Proverbs) lies between the Piazza (section of garden) and the waharoa (gateway). This realm represents the unculivated foods under the care of Haumiatiketike. Te Taupa sits beyond the waharoa and is under the care of Rongomātane renowned as atua of cultivated foods such as the kūmara.
The garden takes its name from the pre-European Māori settlement that occupied the site.
Te Awamutu Space Centre
Open by appointment: Museum and activity centre with a focus on space and astronomy.
Find out more here: www.spacecentre.nz.
- Want to know more about space, see our resources under our astronomy topic.
Waikato Museum
Daily: Range of exhibitions including Exscite – a hands-on space where tamariki can play and learn through tactile and immersive surroundings. The Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition features glittering stars, shimmering galaxies, fiery suns, and silver moons – don’t miss this showcase of the world's greatest space photography. On until 27 April.
15–24 April: Art Inspires - School Holiday Programme: Inspired by the Museum's collections and current exhibitions, these hands-on sessions will expand your child’s knowledge of art and science through creative crafting techniques. Suitable for ages 7 to 13 years.
For a complete list of events at Waikato Museum, visit: https://tewharetaonga.nz/visit/whats-on.
Hawkes Bay
MTG Hawke's Bay
Daily: Visit this award-winning museum, home of the Hawke’s Bay region's taonga and other treasures, including the revamped 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Exhibition and Rūaumoko: Restless land.
Find out more: www.mtghawkesbay.com/.
National Aquarium
Daily: Home to a wide range of saltwater, freshwater and land animal exhibits from New Zealand and around the world. Plan your visit to the Aquarium around one of the feeding sessions or take a guided tour. This April, put your observation skills to the test with Hide & Seek. The Hawke’s Bay is teeming with incredible biodiversity – from rocky shores and estuaries to streams and coastlines, every habitat is home to remarkable creatures. But can you spot them all?
Head out and explore Hawke's Bay! Download the fun I-Spy activity sheets for the Rocky Shore and Ahuriri Estuary and take up the challenge to discover hidden taonga using these exploration guides.
14–24 April: April Holiday Program each day running under a different theme: Penguin Adventure Day, Dive into the Wonders of the Natural World, Explore New Zealand's Habitats and Help the Planet, and Aquarium Adventure and Detective Mystery Day.
For more information and to book a place: www.nationalaquarium.co.nz/learn/holiday-programmes.
Manawatū-Whanganu
Te Manawa Museum
Daily (during the school holidays): Visit the Te Awa – The River exhibition, the Manawatū river is the life-blood of this region. Learn more about its history, meet its inhabitants, explore how we use water and discover how the region was formed. This exhibition includes The Water Room (which runs twice a week), a native fish tank, bug specimens, a cave walk-through and an impressive moa skeleton.
Autumn Holiday Program information to come.
Find out more: www.temanawa.co.nz
Wellington
Capital E
April: During the school holidays there are workshops for tamariki aged 6–13 years old and PlayHQ, the play space for under 5s, is open Monday-Saturday. Workshops are run in our MediaLab where tamariki can learn digital skills, and creative workshops such as zine-making, map-making, tie-dye and more.
Find out more: www.capitale.org.nz/school-holiday-programmes.
For more of what's on at Capital E, there are lots on for the early years, see: www.capitale.org.nz/whats-on-at-capital-e/
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush
Daily: Ōtari Native Botanic Garden and Wilton's Bush Reserve is the only public botanic garden in New Zealand dedicated solely to native plants. Experience a stunning array of native flowers that create a feast for New Zealand birdlife. Immerse yourself in forests of large tree ferns including the silver tree fern and view spectacular displays of rātā trees in full bloom over summer.
Find out more: https://wellingtongardens.nz/our-gardens/otari-wiltons-bush.
Police Museum
Daily: Explore fascinating resources on New Zealand policing and forensics. Take the Junior or Senior Detective Trail, or one of the mueseum tours (bookings required).
Find out more about the museum events and activities: https://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/history-and-museum/museum/learning-events/museum-events.
- Use our activity DNA detective and the Mobile forensic kit – unit plan to explore the use of forensics in crime scene investigations.
Space Place
Daily: Visit Space Place these autumn holidays for lots of resources on astronomy and fun for the whole family.
Find out more here: www.museumswellington.org.nz/space-place.
Each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the April school holidays: Sound of Science workshops for ages 8-12. Learn about the science of sounds we hear every day through hands-on experiments and exciting demos.
To find out more and register: www.museumswellington.org.nz/sound-of-science
12–27 April: Tamariki Star Trail, collect a Star Trail at the front desk and try to find the answers to 14 space-themed questions.
- Want to know more, see our resources under our astronomy topic.
Te Papa
Daily: Aotearoa New Zealand's national museum, renowned for being bicultural, scholarly, innovative and fun and great place to take the kids during the holidays.
For a list of events at Te Papa, please visit: www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events.
Wellington Museum
Daily: For fascinating stories of the Wellington region, visit this museum: www.museumswellington.org.nz/wellington-museum.
Wellington Zoo
Daily: Wellington Zoo is a great place for the whole family to visit. Why not plan your visits around one of the free talks, ranging from penguins, tigers, zoo vets, lemurs and more.
Find out talk times and more: https://wellingtonzoo.com.
Holiday programme
14–24 April: The zoo's school holiday programme is for kids from 5 to 12. They’ll get to meet animals, learn from the specially trained Zoo staff and get sneak peeks behind the scenes. Every day of the Zoo holiday programme is filled with a new action-packed theme, so you can book for one day, or choose a few days that suit you.
Find out more and to book (spaces are strictly limited): https://wellingtonzoo.com/visit/plan-your-day/things-to-do/holiday-programmes.
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Daily: There are over 32 km of tracks where you can spot abundant wildlife among the regenerating forest at Zealandia. Check out the indoor exhibition and see a life-size moa, learn about the natural history of New Zealand and understand how Zealandia came to be. There are also a variety of guided tours every day.
Find out more here: www.visitzealandia.com.
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne in the heart of Wellington City was conceived in 1995 and opened in 2000 after the erection of an 8.6 kilometre long predator proof-fence. The sanctuary has a 500 year plan to restore the reserve to how it would have appeared before humans arrived in New Zealand. It is home to many endangered species of birds, plants and animals such as saddleback, tuatara, giant wētā and little spotted kiwi.
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
Daily: Visit this unfenced breeding sanctuary for native wildlife. The 942-hectare forest is home to wild birds and inside their aviaries kiwi, kākā and kākāriki are hatched for release across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Find out more here: https://pukaha.org.nz.
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve
Daily: The 14 hectare Ngā Manu Reserve comprises a mosaic of habitats including the largest remnant of lowland swamp forest remaining on the Kāpiti Coast, ponds, wetlands, open lawn areas, walk-through aviaries, reptile enclosures, and a nocturnal house for kiwi. They also offer various experiences such as a Native bird close encounter or a Ranger experience.
Find out more: https://ngamanu.org.nz.
Wellington Botanic garden
Daily: Visit the historic Wellington Botanic Gardens these autumn holidays and see seasonal autumnal colours.
Find out more here: https://wellingtongardens.nz/our-gardens/wellington-botanic-garden-ki-paekaka.
11 April: join the Glow in the dark titiwai tours – New Zealand glow worms.
Christchurch
Canterbury Museum
Daily: The Rolleston Avenue site is currently losed but you can visit the cool pop-up Museum at 66 Gloucester Street. It is a short stroll to Quake City, this special exhibition from the Canterbury Museum covers stories from the Canterbury Earthquakes. Visit a library for a free session to learn about the City Nature Challenge and observing nature.
For details: www.canterburymuseum.com.
International Antarctic Centre
Daily: The International Antarctic Centre is the world’s premier Antarctic experience, with real snow, penguins, Hägglund ride, family fun and more!
Find out more here: www.iceberg.co.nz.
Antarctic penguin keeper programme
14–24 April: Become a penguin keeper for a day! An immersive journey into the world of the smallest penguin in the world. There’s nothing quite like a day spent learning from our specialist keepers.
Find out more here: www.iceberg.co.nz/our-experiences/school-holiday-programmes.
- Want to know more, read about penguins and then 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.
Find out more here: www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz.
Christchurch Botanic gardens
Daily: Visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens these holidays, for fun for the whole family.
Find out more here: www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/christchurch-botanic-gardens.
Otago
Wild Dunedin
10–22 April: You can see Dunedin's wild creatures at any time, but it is even better to come in the April school holidays when wildlife and wild places are celebrated during Wild Dunedin – New Zealand's festival of nature.
Find out more here: www.wilddunedin.nz.
Otago Museum
Daily: Tūhura Otago Museum shares the natural, cultural and scientific stories of Otago, Aotearoa New Zealand and the world and runs many events, some examples below
- 12–27 April: Rock Mystery Mission – calling all junior detectives! The Museum's prized ruby has vanished, and they need your help to crack the case.
- 12–27 April: Mighty Moa Hunt – go on a Mighty Moa Hunt around the galleries and look carefully at the museum's fossils and skeletons to unlock the secrets of these fascinating extinct birds.
- 12 & 22 April: No Rain, No Rainforest – a public talk and experience a rainy season in theTropical Forest.
- 12–22 April: Mystery Animal Encounters – an engaging talk beneath the vibrant canopy of the museum's one-of-a-kind indoor rainforest.
Otago Museum also has other events on offer. To find out more and to book a place, please visit https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on.
Dunedin Botanic Garden
Daily: Visit the Dunedin Botanic Gardens these holidays, for fun for the whole family. On 11 April Join lichenologist Allison Knight on a walk in the Botanic Garden to take a closer look at the awesome miniature world of lichens living at the garden or book a specialised Guided Horticultural Tour.
Find out more here: https://dunedinbotanicgarden.co.nz.
Kiwi Birdlife Park
Daily: An awesome family-owned and operated wildlife centre in the heart of Queenstown, dedicated to saving our endangered wildlife species.
Find out more: https://kiwibird.co.nz.
- Explore our resources on New Zealand’s iconic bird and on conserving our native birds.
Sinclair Wetlands, Te Nohoaka O Tukiauau
Daily: Visit the Sinclair Wetlands these holidays and see if you can spot all 46 bird species that live there.
Find out more here: www.tenohoaka.org.nz.
Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary
Daily: Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary is an awesome place to visit with the whole family to see New Zealand’s native wildlife.
Find out more: https://orokonui.nz/ or take part in these holiday experiences:
11–12 April: Orokonui Manu Huru - Nocturnal Forest Lantern Experience and 14–22 April: Explore Te Pō with Tamariki – Kids night walks.
- Find out more about the creation of Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary.
Vanished World
Daily: Take a walk along the vanished world trails or visit the Vanished World Centre at Waitaki Whitestone Geopark and see a range of geological finds including fossils.
Find out more here: www.vanishedworld.co.nz and check out their ideas for the school hoidays.
- Want to know more, see our resources under the fossils topic.
Related content
Autumn is a perfect time to celebrate the season changes by observing leaves or going on a fungi hunt.
Early nights mean it is also a great time for star watching with the family.
Did you know that Autumn is also the time that adult eels leave the rivers and streams and head for the ocean?
Our Autumn science collection has more great ideas, see our Creating collections article for hints on how to make the most of the features in our collection tool.
If you want to continue the learning at home during the holidays whilst still keeping it fun – see Learning science from home – ideas to deepen learning before you begin. Science for young learners is about discovery, curiosity and observation. Two key outcomes of any activity can simply be enjoyment and the conversations that arise from the experience.
