Tūhura Otago Museum

Tūhura Otago Museum Tūhura Otago Museum shares natural, cultural & scientific stories of Otago, Aotearoa, and the world.
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17/09/2026

To celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we’re hearing from local reo Māori speakers to highlight taoka, treasures of significance to them.

Here Nadia Wesley-Smith, Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive at Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou, speaks about these mere pounamu which have been passed down through generations of her whānau. The Wesley whānau are looking forward to visiting their mere during a whānau reunion this coming October!

Today’s taoka: Mere pounamu, Mukaherehere and Hine Te Ririki

Today’s kupu: Taoka tuku iho – heirloom, something handed down

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Dunedin NZ

We are proud to announce the opening of our newest exhibition, A River of Creativity, which highlights 40 years of creat...
16/09/2026

We are proud to announce the opening of our newest exhibition, A River of Creativity, which highlights 40 years of creativity, community and wellbeing in Dunedin.

Journey through Artsenta’s history, from its humble beginnings at Cherry Farm Psychiatric Hospital to the creative community it is today. Discover artworks, photographs, archival material, sound recordings, film and personal stories from the people who have shaped Artsenta over four decades.

Artsenta Dunedin Dunedin NZ

15/09/2026

This week we’re hearing from local te reo Māori speakers to highlight taoka, treasures of significance to them.

To begin celebrations, we’ll hear from Ella Taiaroa-McDonald. Ella is a post-graduate student in the Master of Indigenous Studies programme through Te Tumu at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, and she hails from the kāik, Ōtākou.

Today’s taoka: A taurapa, the sternpost originally fixed to the waka Waikahua

Today’s kupu: Tawhito – old, ancient

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Dunedin NZ

Dinosaurs: Surviving Extinction has been a hit since opening! Come and see a range of life-sized casts for yourself, inc...
15/09/2026

Dinosaurs: Surviving Extinction has been a hit since opening! Come and see a range of life-sized casts for yourself, including the incredible 8-metre-plus Tarbosaurus. Get up close with these giants and become a detective following the evidence to discover how some dinosaurs survived extinction and evolved into the birds we see today.

5 September 2026 – 17 January 2027
Special Exhibitions Gallery
All tickets $10

Join us next Tuesday at the Great Dinosaur Debate Night to hear the University of Otago Debating Society tackle the ques...
10/09/2026

Join us next Tuesday at the Great Dinosaur Debate Night to hear the University of Otago Debating Society tackle the question "Should we bring back dinosaurs with the help of genetic research?"

Watch sharp minds go head-to-head on burning dinosaur questions, armed with wit, research, and just enough facts to make it (mostly) legitimate. Grab a drink and some popcorn from our snack bar, pick a side, and get ready to enjoy the chaos.

5.30pm, Tuesday 15 September
Free | Barclay Theatre

Join us next Friday for a night of cocktail-making and chemistry with Alchemist Mixology, the ultimate Friday night out ...
09/09/2026

Join us next Friday for a night of cocktail-making and chemistry with Alchemist Mixology, the ultimate Friday night out at Tūhura Otago Museum!

Are you keen to try your hand at making specialty cocktails? Experts from Alchemist Mixology will show you how!

Mix a mojito, prepare a Peach Cosmo, and perfect the showstopping Butterfly Pea Tom Collins.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of cocktail making, create a recipe of your own, and enjoy a delicious tasting plate with each drink.

6pm – 8.30pm, Friday 18 September
$85 includes 4 drinks and a tasting plate
Book here: https://tuhura.nz/whats-on/cocktails-and-chemistry

Come along tomorrow and Thursday for this FREE experience.Experience Antarctica through two incredible VR experiences an...
08/09/2026

Come along tomorrow and Thursday for this FREE experience.

Experience Antarctica through two incredible VR experiences and discover what it’s like to visit one of the most remote places on Earth.

Last time, we sold out, and we’ve already had a lot of demand this time around.

Spots are limited, so make sure you book your spot today.

Don’t miss out!

https://tuhura.nz/whats-on/virtual-visit-to-antarctica-vr-experience

We’ve got some great new merch for our latest Dino exhibition.Our three characters Tubs, Cera, and Pax designed locally ...
07/09/2026

We’ve got some great new merch for our latest Dino exhibition.

Our three characters Tubs, Cera, and Pax designed locally by Otago Polytechnic student Riley Clark in collaboration with Tūhura Otago Museum.

A few fun things for the kids, so you can take a little bit of the exhibition home with you.

Available in our shop now!!

07/09/2026

A great story celebrating 100 years of our amazing Friends at the museum.

Come and join us. we would love to have you become part of our Friends whānau and help us continue this wonderful legacy.

https://tuhura.nz/your-museum/friends-of-tuhura

What an amazing weekend!We had lines out the door and lots of excited adventurers, both young and old, coming through to...
07/09/2026

What an amazing weekend!

We had lines out the door and lots of excited adventurers, both young and old, coming through to experience it for themselves. The feedback has been fantastic, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

A huge thank you to our amazing Events Team and Facilities Team, our talented Design Manager Craig, and especially our Exhibitions Manager, Shanaya, for all the hard work, passion and dedication that went into this project and bringing it to life.

Come visit and experience it for yourself!

Address

419 Great King Street
Dunedin
9016

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

03 474 7474

Website

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