Science

Join author and New Zealand Order of Merit recipient Keith Woodley as we hear about the work of Pūkorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust conducting five years of shorebird surveys in reclusive North Korea, and the discovery of internationally important sites for shorebirds.  Each year thousands of shorebirds migrate between New Zealand and breeding grounds in Alaska and Siberia. The best known of these are bar-tailed godwits that make the longest non-stop flights of any land bird. Storing fat before they depart our shores in March, they then take a nonstop flight to tidal flats in the Yellow Sea region of China and Korea, where they stage for several weeks replenishing fuel reserves, before resuming the journey to the Alaskan tundra.

Te Papa's Natural History Team are at the forefront of New Zealand's science research - producing some 40 to 50 published research papers annually!  Join us for a unique opportunity to hear some of their latest research findings while seated in the Te Taiao | Nature exhibiton space on Level Two.  We will hear from four experts, covering a range of topics, before taking a guided look at the recently refreshed Science display in Te Taio. Following the talk, you are warmly invited to mingle with a glass of wine, get to know our Natural History Curators and ask any burning questions you may have.