Discover your museum this summer. Our curators have dug deep into the collections to unearth deadly insects, lethal animals and poisonous plants – we need you to examine the specimens and figure out which one has been used to commit murder.
Join us in the Domain for our Summer Nightsseries – hone your own curatorial skills with a hunt around the Domain, relax with a picnic on the grass, then take an after-hour tour of our special summer exhibition, The Poisoners!
Discover something different every week – archaeology and entomology – it’s all at your museum this summer.
THE POISONERS!
WANTED: Inquiring minds to solve a mystery at Auckland Museum – who murdered the brilliant scientist Professor Felix Splicer and how did they do it?
One of our four suspects committed the crime and the weapon is among hundreds of objects from our own Natural History collection – from deadly hemlock to venomous sea snails. So was it Toxica Fay Tully the adventurer and collector of poisonous plants or marine biologist Alain ‘Sharkbait’ Coasteau? Maybe the killer is international wildlife poacher Anastasia Nastie Van Abs or Dr Helix Splicer, the twin brother of the late Professor? Just like real scientists, you’ll enter the crime scene and venture into the lair of each suspect. Then you must check out clues among hundreds of ‘killer’ creatures, poisonous plants and weird and wonderful species.
Curated by our Museum experts, this interactive murder-mystery experience transforms your kids into budding marine scientists and botanists. A killer treat for the whole family! Be first on the scene of the crime this summer. More info»
Opens 16 December 2011 Exhibition Hall, Atrium Open daily, 10am – 5pm (Free return visit after 25 February 2012 for those 15 years or under with clue sheet)
An unforgettable cultural experience - enjoy a warm, vibrant and entertaining glimpse of Maori culture culminating in a high-energy spine-tingling version of our most celebrated dance, the world famous haka. » Find out more
Join Detective Dick Sharp in The Poisoners! exhibition for tips on how to be a detective and finding clues – he may even share some of his own breakthroughs on the case. » Find out more
Join two award winning children’s book authors and illustrators and learn techniques to create and develop your own storybook, inspired by the collections from Auckland Museum.
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Join fish curator Dr Tom Trnski to examine a couple of quirky specimens from the collections and hear more about survival under the sea.
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Our guides will describe the significance of some of our most treasured objects, artefacts and specimens; including an exploration of the architecture of the historic Museum building itself. » Find out more
