Fossil Fest 2026
05 June 2026 - 07 June 2026
10 am–5 pm
Region(s): Waikato
Type(s): exhibitions, presentations, experiences
Three days of hands-on discovery, expert talks and ancient worlds. Fossil Fest celebrates the fossils and geological stories of the Waikato with activities for all ages. Bringing ancient Waikato back to life!
Millions of years ago, the Waikato was home to extraordinary creatures. Giant squid-like belemnites hunted in the warm Jurassic sea. Forests of towering trees were swallowed whole by volcanic eruptions, their wood transforming into glassy ancient stone. A giant penguin waded through the waters of Kaawhia, leaving behind a fossil that would spend millennia locked in stone before being re-discovered by a group of children in 2006.
Fossil Fest is bringing these ancient worlds back to life. Join a guided tour, hear from internationally renowned experts, meet real-life fossil hunters and learn more about Waikato’s ancient history.
Schedule
Penguin Party
Friday 5 June, 5:30 - 8:15 pm. Tickets from $10
Waddle on over to Exscite for an after-hours celebration of Waikato’s most famous ancient bird – the Kaawhia Giant Penguin fossil. Games, craft, and penguin-themed fun await.
To learn more and book a place: https://tewharetaonga.nz/whats-on/events/penguin-party-2026.
He Koorero Maataatoka – Fossils Tours
Saturday and Sunday 6–7 June, 10:15 am
Free with registration. Step back millions of years and uncover the story of prehistoric Waikato with He Koorero Maataatoka, a guided tour of the Fossil Finds exhibition.
To learn more and book a place: https://tewharetaonga.nz/whats-on/events/fossils-tour.
Fossil Finders Scavenger Hunt
5–7 June
A giant penguin's fossilised bones are scattered across the museum. Your mission is to find them all. Pick up your activity sheet at the front desk and explore Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum in a whole new way.
To learn more: https://tewharetaonga.nz/whats-on/events/fossil-scavenger-hunt.
Ask a Fossil Hunter
Saturday 6 June, 1–3 pm
Free entry
Meet Kerr Sharpe-Young, a real life fossil hunter who has made some incredible discoveries combing the beaches of Taranaki. Ask him anything, see some of his fossil collection up close, and learn what it takes to be a fossil hunter.
To learn more: https://tewharetaonga.nz/whats-on/events/ask-a-fossil-hunter.
Weird and wonderful: fossils of Aotearoa
Saturday 6 June, 3–6:45 pm
Free with registration
Join scientists, geologists, and fossil hunters for a public talk and panel discussion exploring what makes New Zealand’s fossils so distinct. Featuring Dr Bruce Hayward, Oliver McLeod, and Kerr Sharpe-Young with Caleb Maher as our MC.
To learn more and book a place: https://tewharetaonga.nz/whats-on/events/fossil-fest.
What's in that rock: live!
Sunday 7 June, 1–3 pm
Free with registration
Watch a real-life fossil hunter crack open rocks to discover what’s inside. Kerr Sharpe-Young brings his viral "What's In That Rock?" series to Kirikiriroa Hamilton for Fossil Fest.
To learn more and book a place: https://tewharetaonga.nz/whats-on/events/whats-in-that-rock-live.
You might also be interested in He Koorero Maataatoka – Fossils Tour.
Related content
Browse the range of content under our fossils topic – there are articles, activities, videos and more.
Researchers have long tried to discover more about moa species from their fossil remains. There have been studies on their feathers, coprolites, impact of hunting, DNA from bones and what we can learn from oral traditions.
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