Discover
The stories behind the Museum’s collections and exhibitions, and the work of our curators, scientists and staff.
Breaking the Ice: The First Year in Antarctica
Before the world had heard of Scott and Shackleton, another explorer hatched a plan to spend a year in Antarctica. He was Carsten Borchgrevink, and his team proved it was possible for humans to survive the Antarctic winter.
Dogs in Antarctica: Tales from the Pack
Meet the canine characters who helped Antarctic heroes like Scott and Shackleton explore the icy continent. From Kid the Courageous to Osman the Great, the dogs who pulled sledges and provided companionship on the great Antarctic expeditions all had tales of their own.
Blog Posts
Museum curators, scientists and technicians share stories from the Museum’s collections and their internationally-recognised research. Sign up here and we’ll regularly deliver a blog post to your inbox.
The Museum's Tiny Dancers
Wed, 18 Jan 2023
The Empidoidea or dance flies have weird mouthparts, front claws like a praying mantis, and some of them even make balloons for their mates!
Stories
Short stories from the collection and behind the scenes at the Museum. For easy access to our short stories, follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or subscribe to our e newsletter.
Milestones and Medals: Antarctica Celebrates a 250th Anniversary
Tue, 17 Jan 2023
Today marks the 250th anniversary of one of the most significant milestones in Antarctic history: the first recorded crossing of the Antarctic Circle.
Watch: The Two Lives of Lady Mary von Haast
Thu, 22 Dec 2022
Julia Bradshaw, Senior Curator Human History, shares her research into the fascinating and often-overlooked life of Lady Mary von Haast (née Dobson), the wife of Museum founder Sir Julius von Haast.
Tricky Tupperware: Plastics in the Museum
Fri, 14 Oct 2022
From the end of October 2022, Tupperware will no longer be imported to New Zealand, which means no more Tupperware parties!
