Member Benefits & Events

Member Benefits and Events

Past Lecture and Events

To find out about events and lectures previously held by Auckland Museum Institute please click here

Origins of our Species

Professor Chris Stringer, Palaeontologist and Research Leader in Human Origins at the Natural History Museum, London

6.00pm, Thursday 22 February
Events Centre

About 2 million years ago the first humans appeared in Africa. Through their larger brains, human body shape, tool-making and meat-eating, they were different from their more ancient African ancestors, and there are various ideas about what drove their evolution and led to a spread of humans from their evolutionary homeland to Asia and, eventually, Europe.
About 600,000 years ago we find the first evidence of a new species in Europe and Africa, Homo heidelbergensis, and this species appears to have evolved into at least three descendant forms: the Neanderthals in western Eurasia, the Denisovans in eastern Eurasia, and our own species Homo sapiens in Africa. The Neanderthals are often depicted as bestial ape-men, but in reality they walked upright as well as we do, and their brains were as large as ours.
Professor Stringer will examine how much like us they were, and their eventual fate, utilising the latest genomic information.  Modern humans are characterised by large brains and creativity, but it is still uncertain how our species arose and spread across the world, and exactly how we interacted with other human forms, including the Neanderthals and the Denisovans. However, genomic data indicate that there was at least sporadic contact and interbreeding.
The growing body of fossil, archaeological and genetic data will be reviewed to assess the current status of the different theories about modern human origins, including Recent African Origin (“Out of Africa”), Assimilation, and Multiregional Evolution.

The Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution has invited Professor Stringer to New Zealand to give a series of public talks, with support from the Royal Society of New Zealand and Auckland Museum Institute.

Tickets are free, we have reserved half the seating for tickets please book here. Once these tickets have been allocated, the other half of the seating will be available on the night but we suggest you turn up early to secure a seat.

Download the poster

Leonard Cockayne Memorial Lecture 

Ever green but seeing red?
Deciphering the palette of New Zealand’s flora

Professor Kevin Gould
School of Biological Sciences
Victoria University of Wellington

7.00pm, Thursday 8 March

New Zealand’s forests are not renowned for exuberant displays of vermilion. Cockayne himself commented that the ‘beautiful coloration of leaves exhibited by many trees of the Northern Hemisphere cannot be expected in a vegetation whose trees are nearly all evergreen.’  Nevertheless, the same pigments that adorn the dying leaves of deciduous trees are abundant in shoots and roots throughout our flora, and these have begun to yield intriguing scientific stories.   Far from being an extravagance without a purpose, the crimsons, carmines, purples and pinks have been implicated in a variety of vital functions, and are currently attracting keen attention from scientists worldwide. 

Professor Kevin Gould will use interactive digital technologies and involve audience participation to unravel these unique New Zealand stories.

Please register your interest with Andrea Webley ph 09 302 6249 or Greta Bachmann-Fuller ph 09 306 7923 at Auckland Museum, or email friends.events@aucklandmuseum.com

Mind Reading? The science of imaging the brain

7.00pm, Wednesday 14 March
Events Centre

Mind reading is the ultimate superhero skill - beyond the realms of human possibility. Yet new technology is bringing this futuristic scenario within our grasp.

Will MRI technology make mind reading possible?

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging allows scientists to see brain areas ‘light up’ as we think. Movements, emotions, memories and intentions have all been visualised, enabling scientists to see inside a person’s mind, and possibly predict the future. Yet how much is science, and how much is fiction?

In this exciting event we explore the inner workings of the brain, delving into the origins of memories and imagination to learn more about our identity as human beings. Featuring live analysis of a brain scan, ‘Mind Reading?’ is a first for New Zealand. Top scientists Associate Professor Brett Cowan and Dr Donna Rose Addis from The University of Auckland will showcase the incredible technology of MRI and provide a behind the scenes glimpse of cutting-edge brain research.

Tickets $10 (plus $3 booking fee)
Door sales subject to availability.

Preferential seating for Members

Download the poster

NZ Trio
Sunday 17 April - Sunday 6 November 2011

After a magnificent first season, NZTrio returns to Auckland Museum with a programme including works from Brahms, Schubert and Kenji Bunch. Critics have described the NZTrio as one of the finest chamber ensembles in Australasia.

Season tickets on sale now for Members only until 13 March. More Info »

Fazioli International Piano Series

Friday 27 May - Saturday 29 October

This year sees four of the world’s top pianists performing on Auckland Museum’s magnificent Fazioli Piano, with a diverse series of programmes including works by Schubert, Schumann, Gareth Farr and Leopold Godowsky.

Season tickets on sale now for Members only until 13 March. More Info »

More About
Collections & Research

Sneak A Peek —
Go backstage with the New Members’ Orientation

MEMBERS FREE
Next Orientation Thursday 23rd February 2012

Become a friend of Auckland Museum over summer and be the first to experience a unique tour of the Museum. All new members (and any keen existing members) will now have the chance to see what lies behind those closed doors, what lurks around the dark corners. You will get the opportunity to see why this really is the best museum in New Zealand.

Members’ Orientation tours will start at the end of February and then run quarterly throughout the year. All new members will be contacted about the orientation.

More About
the Maori Cultural Performances & Tours

Maori Cultural Performances & Tours of the Maori Gallery

MEMBERS enjoy 20% discount off ticket price

Our Maori Cultural performance is recognised as being one of the leading Maori cultural experiences in New Zealand. Our performers are the face of Ngati Whatua O Orakei, the home tribe (Mana Whenua) of Auckland — (Tamaki Harenga Waka).

You will 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. Your Maori cultural experience includes the opportunity to meet, talk and take photos with our very friendly performers who can also take you on a guided tour of our magnificent Maori gallery.

Find out about the special place Maori have here at the Museum and gain a deeper understanding of Maori culture and the taonga (treasures) within the Museum.