Public lectures
in Aotearoa

12:30pm

Research funding in Aotearoa New Zealand—Threats, trajectories, and the potential for transformation

Details For many generations, Aotearoa has invested comparatively little, certainly by OECD standards, in research and development (R and D). Moreover, since 2020–21,...

6:00pm

Building Back Better: 15 Years of Earthquake Engineering Lessons from Christchurch

Fifteen years after the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, UC engineers reflect on what they learned, what changed in global building codes, and what still needs to happen.

6:00pm

A Painter, a Dentist and a lot of Ingenuity

Join Shaun Higgins, Curator Pictorial here at Auckland Museum, to learn how in the midst of a World War II prisoner of war camp, an Australian prisoner of war was able to create stunning portraits of…

9:00am

Work-Integrated Learning Research: Transforming the Future of Practice

The International Research Symposium is an international symposium organised by the World Association for Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education (WACE), in c

10:00am

School of Education research seminar: Professor Hella von Unger

We invite you to join us for a seminar with visiting Professor Hella von Unger, from Munich. We will have tea/coffee together at...

5:15pm

Big Tech: Too Big To Fail?

Inaugural Professorial Lecture: Alexandra Andhov

2:00pm

Kia Tika, Kia Pono—For A Just Society

In Aotearoa, we know very well what our most pressing problems are—poverty, inequity, ecological destruction, and climate change. But we are much less...

6:00pm

Ockham NZ Book Awards 2026 Longlist Celebration

Join us to celebrate the announcement of the 2026 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards longlist, with readings from longlisted authors across all four categories.

10:30am

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra: Stories Alive! The Tortoise and the Hare

A lively musical retelling of The Tortoise and the Hare with a quintet of New Zealand Symphony Orchestra musicians. Sing, move and watch the story unfold through music and illustration!

12:30pm

Philanthropy Along the Supply Chain

Authors: Huu Nhan Duong, Emdad Islam, Lubna Rahman, and Cara Vansteenkiste Abstract Firms strategically use donations to trade partners’ affiliated charities to achieve...

5:00pm

Distinguished Lecture: The Brain in Pain — New Frontiers in Chronic Pain Research

The annual Otago Distinguished Lecture in Medicine explores breakthrough research into the neuroscience of chronic pain and emerging treatments.

10:30am

Create With Pride — for 13–18 year olds

Calling all teens who want to Create With Pride.   Join Te Puke High School kaiako (teachers) on Saturday 18 April, 10.30am–12.30pm, for a teen art making session at Toi Tauranga Art Gallery.

2:00pm

Welfare (1975) film screening

Join us for a film screening of Welfare, with an introduction by artist Rangi White in a discussion of Aotearoa's welfare bureaucracies

6:00pm

Welfare (1975)

For Tell us if something changes, artist Rangi White draws on the aesthetics of a Work and Income Office to consider how material and spatial conditions structure a person’s encounters with the…

10:00am

WEN Outreach Workshop - Survive the Shake!

Free half day workshop for year 9-10 women, where creativity meets engineering, includes a pizza lunch.

10:00am

LIVE Day: Farming

Hay there! Put your best gumboot forward this April with LIVE Day: Farming.

5:30pm

Writers & Readers: New Zealand Literary Identities

A conversation with three New Zealand authors about writing from the margins, finding a readership, and what it means to tell New Zealand stories in a globalised publishing market.

5:30pm

New Zealand's Space Future: From Rocket Lab to National Strategy

An exploration of New Zealand's rapidly growing space sector, the science enabled by domestic launch capability, and the policy frameworks governing our use of space.

6:00pm

Easter Egg Hunt

Pick up our Easter Egg trail to help you hunt down decorated eggs hiding in our galleries, and be in to win a delicious chocolate hamper.

9:00am

Nourish me Well

A practical nutrition workshop to help students eat well on campus.

5:30pm

The Value of Hackathons

Discover the power of HackathonAn event for students curious about problem-solving, creativity and real-world impacts.Join us for an inspiring evening as we hig

6:30pm

Secrets of the Southern Ocean: Otago's Deep-Sea Research Programme

Marine scientists share discoveries from recent voyages to the Southern Ocean, including new species, ecosystem dynamics, and implications for fisheries management.

10:00am

Super Creative Live: The Art of Home

Exploring the spaces that shape the way we live, eat, gather and connect. Thursday 23 April, 5.30–8.30pm, in the Craigs Investment Partners Gallery.

5:00pm

Ideas Challenge Workshop 1: Connect and Collaborate

Come for the insights, stay for the connections.

5:00pm

In Conversation: The State of New Zealand Fiction

A panel discussion with this year's fiction finalists exploring the themes, craft, and challenges of writing contemporary New Zealand fiction.

5:30pm

2026 WSBG Climate Festival Fortnight

Register hereWellington School of Business and Government (WSBG) at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is proud to support Wellington City Council’s first...

12:30pm

Canterbury Water: Ecology, Irrigation, and the Future of Our Freshwater

Researchers and community voices discuss the competing demands on Canterbury's freshwater resources and what a sustainable future looks like for the region.

1:00pm

Arguing about morphemes

The School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies hosts weekly seminars featuring a selection of visiting researchers as well as those from the...

5:00pm

Equity in Health: Progress and Challenges for Māori Wellbeing

A wānanga-style public discussion on the persistent health inequities facing Māori communities and what genuine system change would require.

12:00pm

History Recovered: New Discoveries in the Alexander Turnbull Collection

Archivists and historians reveal recently catalogued items from the Alexander Turnbull Library collection, including previously unseen photographs and correspondence.

6:30pm

Aviation Conversations

Enjoy an evening in the Aviation Hall with a panel discussion exploring aerial mapping technology.

10:00am

Kindred at Silo6 - Live performance, 1st May

'Kindred' at Silo6

1:00pm

Is there situational irony in satire?

The School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies hosts weekly seminars featuring a selection of visiting researchers as well as those from the...

10:00am

Te Tiriti Workshops: Listening attentively

To mark the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi on 29 April 1840, join us for a free, educational, deep dive into Aoteaora New Zealand’s founding document.

10:00am

Toi Art Saturdays: Sit and Sketch

Discover something new in Toi Art each month – talks, performances, and activities inspired by the exhibitions on show.

3:30pm

Mandarin Corner: Explore the art of Yongchun lacquer baskets and paint your own

Discover the beauty of Yongchun Lacquer Baskets, a traditional craft from Fujian that blends weaving and lacquer art. Learn about its cultural story,...

6:00pm

Ersha Island

12:00am

Printopia Festival —

Printopia Festival returns for its fifth edition from 1–3 May 2026, celebrating contemporary printmaking across Aotearoa and the Asia Pacific.

5:00pm

Ideas Challenge Workshop 2: Polish Your Idea

Grab a bite, have a chat, and refine your vision alongside your peers.

10:30am

Curator talk – Standing tall: a century of the Clock Tower

Come join us for a captivating journey through time as we uncover the secrets behind the iconic Clock Tower in this curator talk!

12:00am

Women & Non-binary Artist Hui: Cyanotype Workshop —

In this cyanotype workshop you’ll discover how science and creativity can coincide. Experiment with exposure, shadow, and UV light to create your own unique print using natural materials gathered…

9:00am

NZ Podcasting Summit

Calling all podcast producers, presenters, practitioners and providers from across Aotearoa… as well as the podcast curious. Join us for a full day of co

7:00pm

New Zealand Sign Language Awards Night

Join us for a powerful evening of celebration, storytelling, and connection as we mark 20 years of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as an official language in Aotearoa New Zealand.

5:00pm

Speech-language therapists can talk you into anything

Professor Clare McCann's Inaugural Lecture

5:30pm

Inaugural Lecture by Professor Jonathan Barrett

Respecting equal human dignity: taxation and commercial law in the human rights stateProfessor Barrett’s research concerns the practical application of human rights, particularly...

12:00am

QUEERS & WARES —

Queers & Wares is a market that celebrates queer creativity, community, and connection. Come hang out, browse beautiful handmade pieces, vintage clothing, and art - all by local artists.

10:00am

LIVE Day: Steam

Full steam ahead this May!

5:30pm

It’s the little things that count: lessons in metabolism, academia and life

Professor Jennifer Miles-Chan's Inaugural Lecture

9:00am

Chinese Bridge Competition 2026

Showcase your Chinese language skill at the annual Wellington regional competition. Hosted by the VUW Confucius Institute and supported by Center for Language...

10:00am

Sports Tech

Find out what the future of fitness looks like with Sports Tech, a whole weekend of fun activities focused on the innovative world of sports technology.

12:00am

Tā: Siapo as a Living Practice —

This two-day workshop introduces participants to the traditional art practice of siapo-making as a living practice.

12:00am

Mamalu – A Lineage Embodied —

This workshop centres the malu, the Samoan female tattoo, as a living archive of cultural knowledge and ancestral presence.

12:00am

Siva Mo Lou Soifua Manuia —

This workshop offers a nurturing journey into Siva Samoa, where movement supports wellbeing. Participants explore foundational Siva Samoa steps and their cultural meanings — gestures that honour…

3:30pm

Mandarin Corner: Celebrate the Dragon Boat festival and craft your own herbal sachet

Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival and explore one of China’s most meaningful traditional holidays. Learn the story of Qu Yuan, discover the origins...

12:00am

Handcrafted Spell Candles —

In this two hour workshop, you’ll be guided through the steps to create your own spell candle tuned to your desires and intentions.

10:00am

LIVE DAY: Photography

Head into MOTAT and say cheese for an exciting day focused on photography sciences!

10:00am

Kintsugi Workshop

Kintsugi (Modernised - Mending method / Art form)

10:00am

LIVE Day: Weather Science

It's sunshine and rainbows at MOTAT again this June, with LIVE DAY: Weather Science!

7:00pm

BOHM Presents: Eddie Izzard performs Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Hamlet

The King of Denmark is dead, and Prince Hamlet is determined to take revenge, initiating a cascade of events that will destroy both family and state.

3:30pm

Mandarin Corner: Chinese shadow puppetry

Experience the storytelling magic of traditional Chinese shadow puppetry. Watch a live demonstration, learn about its history and cultural meaning, and discover how...

3:30pm

Mandarin Corner: Tai Chi - immerse yourself in traditional Chinese martial arts and practice

Discover the beauty of Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art rooted in balance and harmony. Learn about its cultural background and core...

10:00am

LIVE Day: Flying

Got plans for the weekend? Don't just wing it, head in to MOTAT for an exciting day focused on flight!

3:30pm

Mandarin Corner: Mid-Autumn festival

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and explore one of China’s most beloved traditions. Discover the legend of Chang’e, learn about mooncakes and festival customs,...

10:00am

LIVE Day: Communications

Incoming messages this September with a LIVE Day all about communicating!

3:30pm

Mandarin Corner: Chinese gold-foil burning art

Discover the cultural symbolism of gold in Chinese art and explore the beauty of traditional gold-foil design. Learn about its history and decorative...

10:00am

LIVE Day: Trams

Love all things trams? This is the day for you!

3:30pm

Mandarin Corner: Baduanjin wellness

Experience Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese wellness practice known as the “Eight Pieces of Brocade.” Learn about its cultural background and connection to balance...

10:00am

LIVE Day: Rail

Journey into MOTAT this November as we celebrate all things train, tram and track with LIVE DAY: Rail!

12:00am

RELAUNCH —

After taking some time to reset and rebuild, CreativeMornings Auckland returns with a renewed spark, a new organising team, and a lineup of fresh themes and inspiring speakers.

12:00am

Queers & Wares Pride Market —

Queers & Wares Pride Market is an annual celebration of queer creativity, community, and connection.

6:00pm

Swimming with Sharks

Join us for a theatrical journey into deep waters, to meet sharks from the prehistoric era to today. You won't need a wetsuit or breathing apparatus to go swimming with these sharks - just come as…

12:00am

Make Art from Plants —

In this hands-on workshop, learn to create natural art tools and media sourced directly from the landscape.

12:00am

Aunty's House Presents Sketch&sip —

Get ready to unwind, connect and create with Aunty’s House and Masala Bazaar at Studio One Toi Tū for Sketch&Sip — a chilled afternoon of art, music, and culture.

12:00am

COLLAGE CLUB —

Join us in rummaging through a wide range of materials (everything from maps to magazines) and once you find something that catches your eye… look for more.

12:00am

NOKSHI KOTHA —

Explore Bengali embroidery in an interactive, communal workshop with textile and community artist, Sahana Rahman.

12:00am

Body as Stamp: Carving Name Through Chinese Martial Arts —

This workshop offers an introduction to Chinese martial arts through guided movement, cultural context and learning.

12:00am

Women & Non-binary Artist Hui: Tracing Desire Lines —

This is a creative workshop using print making and mindfulness to explore habitual routes that instill a sense of familiarity and belonging in our lives.