A drop-in space hosting events and activities throughout the Festival!
Drop by NZISF25’s Festival Hub every day for a rotating selection of free, hands-on science fun for the whole whānau – plus amazing workshops and fascinating talks!
There will be gaming, computing and technology, kōura, frogs and kiwi, digital art, volcanic exploration, a repair station, hands-on science, a magical mystery, story time, giveaways and much more.
Meet some of our local science and conservation organisations and get a feel for what they do. And of course, our ever popular, super fun Imagination Playground will be ready for your little ones to play and create. Whatever you’re into, there will be something to enjoy.
What’s new at the Festival Hub in 2025 We have an exciting line up of speakers for our new Festival Hub seminar series – pop into the Hub seminar space for free daily talks. See online details for individual talks happening throughout the festival.
If you're keen to find something extra to take home or looking for a gift for a science-minded person, visit our first science shop at the Hub! Come check out our great range of science activities and merch! A collaboration with our friends at Science Alive.
The Festival Hub is in the former Smith’s City/Kmart space upstairs at the Meridian Mall. For a full list of daily activities, see below.
Every day at the Festival Hub:
Alternative Operating System Demonstration 10am – 12pm. Free, drop-in.
Backyard Biodiversity 10am – 3pm. Free, drop-in.
Imagination Playground 10am - 3pm. Free, drop-in.
Robotics. Automation. Innovation. 10am - 3pm, Free, drop-in.
Science Alive: Hands on Science 10am - 3pm. Free, drop-in.
Sustainable keyboard artplay 10am, 11am. Free, bookings required.
The Wizard's Apprentice: A Magical Science Mystery 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Ticketed event, bookings required.
Rotating Activities:
Tuesday 1 July
Drop-in
Connecting and Taking Action Together
Intriguing Kōura
Science Storytime with UBS Bookings required.
Volcano Explorers: Aotearoa New Zealand Bookings required.
Seminar Area
Let's Talk CitSci Mini-Talk
Making Internet History More Visible
Wednesday 2 July
Drop-in
Dr Rock
Intriguing Kōura
Science in the Town Belt
Science Storytime with UBS Bookings required.
Volcano Explorers: Aotearoa New Zealand Bookings recommended.
The Wrath of Quench Bookings required.
Seminar Area
Let's Talk CitSci Mini-Talk
Making Internet History More Visible
Meet Maria Skłodowska-Curie! Film screening.
Thursday 3 July
Drop-in
Connecting and Taking Action Together
Dr Rock
Science Storytime with UBS Bookings required.
Volcano Explorers: Aotearoa New Zealand Bookings recommended.
Seminar Area
Let's Talk CitSci Mini-Talk
Meet Maria Skłodowska-Curie! Film screening.
Seasons in the Sea Seminar
Workshop
Hands-on Renewable Energy Workshop Bookings required.
Living Alongside Pakake Bookings required.
Youth computer hardware workshop Bookings required.
Friday 4 July
Drop-in
Dr Rock
Heart Hub
Science Storytime with UBS Bookings required.
Take Back your Garden
Volcano Explorers: Aotearoa New Zealand Bookings recommended.
Seminar Area
A Brief History of Landing on the Moon
Getting the Measure of Alcohol
Meet Maria Skłodowska-Curie! Film screening.
Workshop
Hands-on Renewable Energy Workshop Bookings required.
Living Alongside Pakake Bookings required.
Youth computer hardware workshop Bookings required.
Saturday 5 July
Drop-in
Dr Rock
Hands-on Renewable Energy
Pepeketua of Aotearoa
Quantum Quest
Take Back your Garden
Seminar Area
A Brief History of Landing on the Moon
Fossils Talk: Historical Plastic
Meet Maria Skłodowska-Curie! Film screening.
Workshop
Youth computer hardware workshop Bookings required.
Sunday 6 July
Drop-in
Dr Rock
Dunedin Repair Cafe
Hands-on Renewable Energy
Quantum Quest
Seminar Area
Fossils Talk: Historical Plastic
Jean Stevens and 'Blooming Impossible'
Meet Maria Skłodowska-Curie! Film screening.
Workshop
Te Tahu-Nui-a-Rangi (Aurora) Clay Tiles Ticketed, bookings required.
Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Children enjoying the Imagination Playground must be actively supervised by an adult at all times.