Things to do in North Island, New Zealand: The Best Science Museums

Fuel your imagination as you walk around Hawkes Bay’s largest Hand’s-on Interactive Museum. It’s a fascinating, family-friendly place, a place where children of all ages can have fun while learning. You can immerse yourself in an Aladdin’s Cave of technology, science and history. Explore our large collection of vintage machines, gadgets, or simply take a trip down memory lane while playing in the arcade, or phoning a friend the old fashioned way.

An inspiring educational attraction for all ages. Experience the world of space and astronomy through displays and interactive activities. Our centrepiece exhibit is a small but fascinating collection of artifacts from the American and Russian/Soviet space programmes. You'll also find informative displays about the Universe, the history of space exploration and scientific research. Use the interactive screens to see what's in the night sky, tour the Solar System, create your own orbital systems and more. Watch videos, ask us questions and just hang out chatting about space. We also have a small space shop featuring new and secondhand items.

Welcome to Puke Ariki - an integrated knowledge hub comprising museum, library, research centre, museum store and i-SITE for a visitor experience that is like no other. Puke Ariki is a place where people come together and where there is a place for everyone. Sited in New Plymouth, between the majestic Mount Taranaki and the wild Tasman Sea, Puke Ariki is a place of wonder, of excitement, of discovery and adventure. "Te hiringa ā rangi, te hiringa ā nuku, te hiringa o Puke Ariki, kia tupu te toiora, kia tupu te toi auaha o te tangata, pupū mai ai i a Taranaki o mua ki Taranaki o nāianei, honohono ake te hunga kāinga, te motu me te ao ki ngā aronga hou, ki ngā ara huhua o tikanga kē, o iwi kē." "At Puke Ariki we aim to inspire creativity and enrich lives by promoting the heritage of Taranaki and connecting local people and visitors to new ideas and other cultures from around the world."

The Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre educates visitors about the marine environment & the research activities of the Institute of Marine Science at the University of Auckland. The interactive displays are great fun & provide a wealth of information about the marine environment. The Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre is suitable for all ages and makes for a great family day out.

Turangi’s Volcanic Activity Centre in the Taupo Volcanic Zone is a hands-on interactive educational tourist visitor centre that aims to explain the fascinating world of volcanoes, earthquakes and geothermal activity through a wide range of exhibits which include visual, electronic media and interactive displays that makes learning about all matters volcanic easy, interesting and fun for all ages. Many spectacular natural volcanic and geothermal features in this area are attributed to the Taupo Volcanic Zone and at the Volcanic Activity Centre we explain in an entertaining and interesting way how all this comes about. Explore how the epic forces within the earth shape our world! Free Wi-Fi Language Translations Available