Enjoy science-related activities during the winter school holidays. 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 full listings.
NOTE: If you know of any science-related events we have missed, please get in touch: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Also see our Matariki event listing for a range of events being held all over Aotearoa during June and July.
Auckland
MOTAT
MOTAT is New Zealand's largest transport and technology museum and offers a fun and exciting learning experience for visitors of all ages. From 1–30 July experience the Tūhura Tuarangi – Aotearoa in space roadshow at MOTAT.
Find out more: www.motat.nz
July Holiday Experience
1–16 July: Launch your imagination during these school holidays and explore all things astronomy with a range of hands-on experiences for the whole whānau!
Find out more: https://www.motat.nz/events/july-holiday-experience/
Live Day: Astronomy Sciences
16 July: Launch yourself into MOTAT this July LIVE Day, and immerse yourself in astronomy sciences and galactic discovery!
Find out more: https://www.motat.nz/events/live-day-astronomy-sciences/
- Want to know more, see our resources under our astronomy topic.
Stardome
Daily: Astronomy shows, sci-fi films, and night sky presentations for all ages. Come and enjoy the magic!
Find out more here: www.stardome.org.nz
- Want to know more, see our resources under our astronomy topic.
Auckland Zoo
Daily: Auckland Zoo is a great place for the whole family.
Find out more here: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/
Nanogirl
10–14 July: The Nanogirl science team will be performing at shopping malls over the holidays.
Find out where here: www.nanogirl.co/upcoming-appearances
Butterfly Creek
Daily: Visit Butterfly Creek these holidays for butterflies and lots more, suitable for all ages.
Find out more here: www.butterflycreek.co.nz/
- 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.
Find out more here: www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/
Auckland Museum
Daily: For what's on at Auckland museum: https://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-
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: Museum and activity centre suitable for all ages.
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.
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.
Hawkes Bay
National Aquarium
Holiday Program
3–14 July: Become a space explorer for the July school holidays and discover more about that large rock in our sky. Learn about the tides, the effects of the moon on humans and animals, different cultures and space exploration, aimed at 6–12 year olds.
Find out more: 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/
Wellington
Capital E
For what's on at Capital E: www.capitale.org.nz/whats-on-at-capital-e/
Wellington Zoo
Daily: Wellington Zoo is a great place for the whole family to visit.
Find out talk times: https://wellingtonzoo.com
Holiday program
3–13 July: 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.
Find out more here: https://wellingtonzoo.com/things-to-do/holiday-programmes/
Police Museum
Explore fascinating resources on New Zealand policing and forensics.
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.
Te Papa
Daily: A 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
For fascinating stories of the Wellington region, the museum is open daily: www.museumswellington.org.nz/wellington-museum/
Space Place
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 here.
Find out more here: www.museumswellington.org.nz/space-place
- Want to know more, see our resources under our astronomy topic.
Zealandia
Daily: An awesome place to visit with the whole family to see New Zealand’s native wildlife.
Find out more: http://www.visitzealandia.com/
ZEALANDIA
ZEALANDIA in the heart of Wellington City was concevied 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 already home to many endangered species of birds, plants and animals such as saddleback, tuatara, giant wētā and little spotted kiwi.
Pūkaha Junior Rangers Holiday Program
4–13 July: The Junior Ranger School Holiday Programme is back at Pūkaha for the upcoming school holidays! Spend the day exploring the forest, getting to know the birds and watching them being fed: especially our cheeky kākā and tuna, suitable for children aged 5–14 years.
Find out more here: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2023/pukaha-junior-rangers-july-2023-school-holiday-programme/masterton
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve
Daily: A great day out with hands-on experience with nature and education.
Find out more: http://ngamanu.co.nz/
Wellington Botanic garden
Daily: Visit the Wellington Botanic Gardens these holidays for fun for the whole family.
Find out more here: https://wellingtongardens.nz/our-gardens/wellington-botanic-garden/
Wilderkids
3–13 July: A school holiday programme for kids aged 5 to 12 centred around exploring nature and learning about the world around them.
Find out more here: https://sustaintrust.org.nz/school-holiday-programme
Christchurch
International Antarctic Centre
The Antarctic Academy Programme offers daily and multi–day programmes with Antarctic themes.
Find out more here: www.iceberg.co.nz/our-experiences/school-holiday-programmes/
- 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.
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
Otago Museum
Tarantula tales
1–9 July: Perfect for spider fans and arachnophobes alike, you'll all fall in love with these fascinating spiders.
Find out more: https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/tarantula-tales
Explorers club
3–13 July: Whole-day sessions, for 5–12 year-olds covering many science topics such as amphibians, prehistoric giants, and Matariki.
Find out more: https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/explorers-club-july
Otago Museum has several 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.
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: www.kiwibird.co.nz/
- Explore our resources on New Zealand’s iconic bird and on conserving our native birds.
New Zealand International Science Festival 2023
30 June–9 July: There is everything from stage shows to panel talks, tours to tastings, hands-on workshops to museum exhibitions with over 90 different events.
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/
- 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 and see a range of geological finds including fossils.
Find out more here: https://vanishedworld.co.nz/
- Want to know more, see our resources under the fossils topic.
Related content
We also have a list of Matariki events happening around the country.
Winter is the perfect time to have lots of science fun – check out our blog article for inspiration.
Try some of these fab science ideas and activities from our Winter science Pinterest board.
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.
