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. 

Everyday 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 
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 

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.