This programme is for the following year groups: Year 13

Discover the evolutionary stories of some of New Zealand’s most iconic species including moa, kiwi, tuatara, and wētā.

This hour long, lecture-style session demonstrates the evolutionary processes that led to speciation, and lets students get hands-on with specimens from our collection. Additionally, students will get an insight into how speciation can be measured through the Museum’s recent research expeditions to Rangitāhua, the Kermadec Islands.  

 This programme is designed to complement learning for NCEA Level 3 Biology Standard 91605.

Learning Outcomes
Learners will:

· Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation in context to New Zealand species

· Identify with examples why and how New Zealand species’ have developed unusual adaptations and behaviours

· Describe in detail the evolution of moa

· Describe in detail the movement of Aotearoa’s geology over time and the implications on its species

Please note: minimum 20 students, maximum 30 students per session

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Image details: Dinornis robustus, LB4361, © Auckland Museum CC BY