The ongoing Study has followed 1,037 babies born in Dunedin in 1972 and 1973 right through to age 45. It has been acclaimed internationally as one of the most significant projects of its kind and its findings have influenced health and social policy around the world.

During the Science Festival, visitors can also get a tiny taste of the Dunedin Study by trying for themselves some of the many tests our study members experience when they come for an assessment day.

The exhibition follows the study’s members as they start school, learn to drive, experiment with sex, drugs and alcohol, find careers and start families of their own.

Visitors can look into rooms recreated in the styles of the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s, and learn about links between lifestyle choices and health through hands-on interactive exhibits.

Slice of Life was originally developed by the University of Otago Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo and Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. This updated travelling version of the exhibition has been to Canterbury Museum, MOTAT In Auckland and Nelson Provincial Museum with over 300,000 visitors taking a walk through 1,000 lives.

We are hugely grateful to Martin Dippie who has provided the venue for the exhibition and the whole team at Mitre10 Mega who have worked to create this popup museum space.