Member Benefits and Events

2013 RSNZ Distinguished Speaker
A New Frontier: Understanding epigentics through mathematics

Professor Terry Speed

6pm,Tuesday 11 June
Auditorium
Free - Registrations essential availbale at here

Scientists have now mapped the human genome - the next frontier is understanding human epigenomes; the ‘instructions’ which tell the DNA whether to make skin cells or blood cells or other body parts.  Apart from a few exceptions, the DNA sequence of an organism is the same whatever cell is considered.  So why are the blood, nerve, skin and muscle cells so different and what mechanism is employed to create this difference?  The answer lies in epigenetics.  If we compare the genome sequence to text, the epigenome is the punctuation and shows how the DNA should be read.

Advances in DNA sequencing in the last five years have allowed large amounts of DNA sequence data to be compiled.  For every single reference human genome, there will be literally hundreds of reference epigenomes, and their analysis could occupy biologists, bioinformaticians and biostatisticians for some time to come.

Professor Terry Speed
2013 Royal Society of New Zealand Distinguished Speaker
Professor Terry Speed is a world leader in bioinformatics and is regarded as one of the strongest statisticians Australia has ever produced.  His work has enabled scientists to assess which genes are being turned on in a cell and to what extent.  This work has helped to identify areas of the human genome that contribute to cancer, genes that are vital for embryonic development and to pinpoint malaria proteins responsible for initiating infection in human red blood cells.

Bookings essentail. Available at http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/

Download the flyer here

2013 Hochstetter Lecture

The 2010-2012 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence: pushing the limits of geological seismology using backyard sciences

Dr Mark Quigley

7pm,Tuesday 16 July
Auditorium
Free for Members of AMI, Geoscience Society of New Zealand and GeoClub, and students.
All others $10 payable on the night.

The Canterbury earthquake sequence (CES) started with the 2010 moment magnitude (Mw) 7.1 Darfield earthquake and includes thousands of Mw ≥ 3 aftershocks, most notably the fatal 22 Feb Mw 6.2 Christchurch earthquake. The largest CES earthquakes caused geologic and geomorphic processes that changed the Canterbury landscape. Some of these changes lasted only hours and others will persist in the geologic record for 103 to 106 yrs or longer. Careful documentation of the geomorphic and geologic effects of the Canterbury earthquake sequence and comparing these with instrumental seismic data is important because it helps to define the seismic thresholds for generating these phenomena and it enables paleoseismologists to better interpret these features when they are observed in the geologic record. This talk will summarize the impacts of the CES and show new evidence for the timing, extent, and conditions of prehistoric earthquakes in this region, including penultimate rupture on the Greendale Fault, prehistoric liquefaction in eastern Christchurch, and prehistoric rockfall in the Port Hills south of Christchurch. Better attention to the geologic record will help us to avoid further land planning mistakes and increase societal and financial resilience to future earthquakes both in Christchurch and elsewhere in New Zealand.

Bookings essential please call Andrea Webley 302 6249 or Greta Bachmann-Fuller 306 7923 or email friends.events@aucklandmuseum.com to secure place

Fazioli International Piano Series

Steven Osborne Book now »
Friday November 15 2013

Season tickets on sale now. More Info »

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Collections & Research

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

MEMBERS FREE
Next Orientation June/July 2013

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.

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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.

Past Lecture and Events

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