Call for Ideas - now open!
The NZISF team is currently looking for events of all shapes and sizes featuring any area of science to be part of the 2025 festival. Anyone can host an event – we work with businesses, non-profits, scientists, artists, research institutes and more to showcase science in a fun and accessible way for people of all ages. Save the date form 28 June - 6 July 2025 and find out how to apply with your event idea below.
Matariki Drone Show
Wow, Ōtepoti - what a night! Thank you for making the drone light show an unforgettable experience.
Did you miss it? Or want to relive the magic of 200+ drones in the sky above Logan Park? Click the link below to see the show.
Remembering Dame Elizabeth Hanan
The Science Festival whānau was saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Elizabeth Hanan on 13 October. Dame Elizabeth was inspired to start a science festival in Ōtepoti Dunedin after visiting the Edinburgh Science Festival as deputy mayor in 1996. A former science teacher, she came back inspired by what she had seen there and determined to start something similar here, citing a festival’s ability to both showcase local science academics and industry and promote economic activity during the city’s quieter winter months.
The first science festival was held in Dunedin in 1998. 26 years on, the festival has reached countless numbers of children and adults, inspiring them with the wonders of science and celebrating Dunedin as “the City of Science". Dame Elizabeth received our very first Life Membership honour in 2010 and her absence will be keenly felt by all involved.
Dame Elizabeth, pictured at left, together with Jean Fleming who served as the festival's first programme chairperson.
Latest News
See all News
Save the Date! SciFest 2025
Hungry for more science in your life? Mark your calendars for 27 June - 6 July 2025! Over those dates, we'll bring 100+ events to venues all over
Calling all volunteers
SciFest is seeking a team of enthusiastic people to help out at this year’s NanoFest, from 10-14 July, and at a special Matariki event on 29 June. A
Introducing the NZISF Podcast!
Many of the panel talks and discussions held as part of the 2023 Science Festival in July were recorded and are now available as a podcast! Talks