If you haven’t done so already, why not channel your inner muse and help us name our jewelled gecko – moko kākāriki. Our competition is your chance to tell us your favourite name and why you chose it, and also to help choose the winner! A panel will select the top three names and then everyone can vote for the winner. Enter now, online or on Atrium Level 1. Entries close at 5pm, Friday 19 May. If you want to find out more about our living treasure first, you can meet him and learn about his lifestyle and significance to local iwi at a gallery talk on Atrium Level 1 at 2.15pm, weekends and holidays.
Coming up on Thursday 11 May we have the annual Charles Fleming Lecture in the Hutton Theatre. Charles Fleming Award recipient Professor Bruce Clarkson will make the case for both community and local council endeavours to bring indigenous nature back into cities and towns where 87% of New Zealand’s population live. Bruce explains how the new transdisciplinary approach of Urban Ecology is working on reconnecting our neighbourhoods with nature to provide multiple benefits to urban dwellers.
The following week on Wednesday 24 May we have Glacier chasing. Dr Brian Anderson, a glaciologist at Victoria University, will talk about his research on the future of New Zealand's glaciers. Part mountain goat, part mathematician, Brian captures remarkable time series images of glacier movements. Find out how he combines maps from early glacier explorations, modern glacier measurements, and computational models to tell us about the possible future of glacier ice.
For all our music lovers we have a treat in store at this month’s Live @ OM. Described as one of New Zealand’s brightest musical talents, singer-songwriter Jenny Mitchell from Gore blends country, folk, and Americana into her own captivating style. Join us to hear for yourself at 1pm, Sunday 28 May on Atrium Level 1.
On your visit, be sure to stop by our two special exhibitions – Current in the 1877 Gallery and the 2017 Otago Wildlife Photography Exhibition in the Special Exhibitions Gallery. And, if you’re feeling peckish after all that, try some of the autumn additions to the Museum Café’s menu, including the delectable smoked salmon quesadilla, the moreish Middle Eastern seven-spice lamb burger, or any of the other new delicious offerings. Bon appétit!