New Zealand International Science Festival

05/06/2026

Is it Art or Science?

The lines are blurry and there is rich opportunity in the space between.

Explore the opportunities and challenges when we embrace the blurring of those lines with our panel of researchers, artists and scientists, led by Filmmaker and Science Communicator, Gianna Savoie.

Afterwards, join us for a late night opening of the ArtScience Exhibition to see these ideas in action.

Wednesday July 15th, 5:30-7pm, booking required
Pay what you can afford: recommended $15, but choose your own price!

https://scifest.org.nz/programme/art-and-science-panel

04/06/2026

Announcing.... The Science Train! ‍🤓🚂🎉
2 days only - Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July. BOOK now at www.scifest.org.nz

These winter school holidays, the New Zealand International Science Festival is excited to bring you a Science Show... on the Taieri Gorge Train! All the way to Hindon and back, get hands-on with experiments and crafts exploring physics, engineering, forensics and more, all made possible by the moving train. Bring a picnic lunch for a stopover at the historic Hindon station and enjoy the onboard café run by Precinct. The show content is designed for 5-12 year olds, but we'll have some activities available for younger siblings and plenty for older kids and adults to take part in too.

04/06/2026

We are back for 2026! 🎉

Our programme is live so start your planning for five days of fun, discovery and learning from Wednesday 15 - Sunday 19 July.

https://scifest.org.nz/programme

26/05/2026

✨ VOLUNTEERS WANTED ✨

Want to be part of the magic behind Dunedin’s biggest celebration of science, creativity, and discovery?

The New Zealand International Science Festival is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring this year’s Festival to life from 15–19 July 2026 in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

We have a huge variety of exciting events on the programme, which will be launched 3 June. From hands-on event support and workshop facilitation to ticketing, welcoming audiences, and helping at our buzzing Festival Hub, there’s a role for everyone!

Whether you’re keen to meet new people, gain event experience, support your community, or simply be part of an exciting week of science and creativity, we’d love to hear from you.

📍 Dunedin
📅 Festival Dates: 15-19 July 2026
👥 Volunteers must be 16+ years old

If your application is successful, we will get in touch to arrange a 5–10 minute interview to learn more about you and discuss which Festival role might be the best fit.

Apply now via the QR code or the link below!

https://forms.office.com/r/EjwFu76pU0

21/04/2026

Get involved with some citizen science this weekend! Wild Dunedin is hosting several bioblitzes as part of the worldwide City Nature Challenge, using iNaturalist NZ - Mātaki Taiao. You might be suprised how much is out there in our backyard!
https://www.wilddunedin.nz/cnc

Ōtepoti Dunedin is part of a global four-day Bioblitz, helping document nature and support biodiversity research.

Get involved by photographing wild nature across Dunedin:
24–27 April: Take photos
28 April–10 May: Upload observations
13 May: Results announced

Join a local Bioblitz:
24 April, 9am–4pm
University of Otago (Union Lawn)

24 April, 10am–noon or 2–3pm
Dunedin Botanic Garden

26 April, 2–4pm
Wild Dalmore Reserve (limited spaces, DM to book)

Free, family-friendly, and open to all. Every observation counts.

10/04/2026

See you Sunday New Zealand Festival of Nature we'll be there with our big blue imagination playground!

This time next week, NatureDome will be under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium for the ultimate community day, rain or shine.

Kids go free and adult tickets are only $5.

Expect loads of food trucks, dozens of market stalls, and awesome activities and interactives for kids, from puppet shows and bouncy castles to a giant inflatable whale you can walk through. Otago Cricket will be there, and you can even test your fly fishing skills.

Enjoy live music and performances from the iconic Suzy Cato, Rainbow Rosalind, My Roberelli, King’s High School kapa haka, Amanda Goodwin, and Grace Gemmell. There will also be a giant screening of Happy Feet to cuddle up and enjoy.

Full details are online, but you will not want to miss out. Better yet, skip the line and grab your adult tickets now.

See you next Sunday, 11am to 4pm.

Let’s get WILD, Dunedin. Get your tickets here https://wilddunedin.ssboxoffice.com/events/nature-dome/

💚 Forsyth Barr Stadium Aotea Electric Southern Ltd Strawberry

03/04/2026

At Warbirds Over Wanaka 2026 this weekend? So are we!

Find us at the Science Fun & Learning space in hanger 12 for some science fun (and learning)!

27/03/2026

Having an amazing time here at Moana Nui Festival. The kids are right into the imagination playground and the performances are incredible.

24/03/2026

Looks like we missed celebrating International Seal Day on March 22nd! Luckily, every day is a good day to celebrate and learn about these amazing creatures we are lucky enough to share our coastlines with.
Have you had any cool seal sightings lately?

24/03/2026

We are bringing our Imagination Playground and other toys to Moana Nui Festival this year! Come along on Saturday to celebrate the food, music and cultures of the Pacific at this wonderful event.

The Moana Nui team are committed to reducing waste, with recycling stations around the festival site and spot prizes for visitors. BYO food and drink containers to be in to win!

With just over a week left till we open our doors and the festival kicks off, we are excited to share the performance schedule with you all! ✨

All these communities have been working hard to put together some great stuff and we're excited for you all to experience it with us! ‼️

Keep an eye out for some more information leading up to the festival,
We're excited to see you all every soon!!

🌺🌺