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Ancient New Zealand 

Image by Tom Simpson

Waipara crop credit tom simpson Medium
Touring Exhibition

Explore Canterbury's tropical past 

60 million years ago, the North Canterbury's Waipara River looked very different. What is now land was submerged beneath calm, warm seas.

These waters and the skies above them were home to some strange and wonderful creatures, including giant penguins and birds with teeth.

Over the last 30 years, palaeontologists have been finding the fossilised bones of these animals buried in the Waipara Gorge.

In this touring exhibition, learn about how they are piecing together the ancient past through a treasure trove of fossils found in North Canterbury.

A Canterbury Museum touring exhibition