Tangata Moana Gallery
This newly developed gallery features treasured objects from across Te Moana nui a Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean), including traditional tools, weapons, textiles, and ceremonial attire.
Night Sky Live
Discover the unique wonders of the southern hemisphere sky, featuring the Southern Cross, and traditional Māori navigation stories under the stars.
Kā take noa
What's On at Tūhura
Tūhura Holiday Club
8.30am – 5pm, 6 – 9 July and 13 – 17 July
Matariki Makerspace
10am – 4pm, Saturday 4 July – Thursday 16 July
First Flight – Butterfly Release
11am daily
Puppet Show: Matariki Mash-Up
11am, Thursday 9 July
The Taieri Gorge Stargazer
Thursday 9 July (Matariki Edition) and Friday 24 July (Science Edition)
Matariki Ahuka Nui – Dawn Ceremony
7.15am – 10am, Friday 10 July
Tūhura Science Centre
Explore the science that surrounds us through over 40 interactive stations in the Museum's bicultural science centre. Ride the three-storey slide, unleash a tornado, dance with light, and venture into an indoor tropical forest filled with hundreds of butterflies.
Planetarium
Travel to the farthest reaches of the Universe and drift among the stars in our planetarium.
We offer an immersive stargazing experience that tours the southern night sky, as well as movie nights, live concerts, and shows covering everything from aliens to dinosaurs—all on a 360° domed screen.
Showing Today:
Ō Mātou Whare Toi
Our Galleries
Tūhura Otago Museum's seven permanent galleries contain fascinating objects from all over the world. They can be explored in any order and tell stories of material culture, natural history, and local life.
Tāngata Whenua
Tāngata Whenua highlights the material culture that emerged as Māori tūpuna (ancestors) dispersed across Aotearoa and adapted their tools and traditions to a new land.
Tangata Moana
The gallery features treasured objects from across Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, including traditional tools, weapons, textiles, ceremonial attire, adornments, carvings, and navigation objects.
Animal Attic
The only gallery of its kind in New Zealand, the Animal Attic is a Victorian time capsule filled with weird and wonderful creatures that illustrate evolution, taxonomy, and the history of museum display.
Nature
The Nature Gallery focuses on Otago’s unique wildlife and habitats, highlighting our native species and the ways people have impacted them.
People of the World
People of the World displays an eclectic collection of everyday and ceremonial objects that highlight different ways of life throughout history and across cultures.
Southern Land, Southern People
In Southern Land, Southern People, we explore the natural processes and resources that have shaped this region and its inhabitants over millions of years.
Maritime
The Maritime Gallery shares tales of seafaring and shipping, recounting Dunedin’s storied maritime history and the rise of the Union Steam Ship Company. It is also home to an 18-metre-long fin whale skeleton.
Join the Friends
Your membership supports Tūhura Otago Museum's exhibitions, education, research, and taoka care. Enjoy exclusive events, discounts, volunteer opportunities, and access to the Friends' Room. Join today to help preserve our heritage.
Me paihere, ka whakaputu
Explore Ticket Options at Tūhura
Visit again and again, see more than one attraction or come as a family or group to save on ticket prices.
-
General Admission
Free
-
Science Centre
From $13
-
Planetarium
From $9
-
Science Centre & Planetarium Combo Pass
From $15
-
Annual Pass
From $15
Join the
Tūhura Whānau
Get early access to special events and stay informed about what's happening at Tūhura Otago Museum.