New Zealand Archaeology Week May 3rd - 11th 2025

Co-ordinated by the New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA), events include talks, heritage walks and tours, special exhibitions, a pub quiz and fun community days. There is even a baking competition which is open to everyone!

During Archaeology Week, archaeologists and the public get together to share our country’s story.  It’s an opportunity for archaeologists to highlight the valuable and varied projects that they are working on, and for participants to engage more deeply with the places where they live, and the people who lived there. NZAA’s aim is to build appreciation of the value of protecting the fragile record of Aotearoa New Zealand’s past. 

Here are a few of the events happening around the country

• At Highwic House in Auckland – Meet and Archaeologist and have a go! May 3rd 11am -1pm
• Attend a tour of the new archaeology and bioanthropology lab facilities at the University of Auckland. May 7th 4pm-6pm
• In Wellington at the Te Awe library there will be a series of quick fire talks about recent work in the Wellington area. May 5th 5.30-6.30pm
• Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House is hosting the Ōtautahi Christchurch Festival of Archaeology. May 10th 11am-3pm
• In Dunedin have a go at cataloguing the stone artefacts from Tiwai at Tūhura Otago Museum. May 9th and 10th 10am-4pm.

These are just some of the great events planned for archaeology week – more information on other events around the regions can be found on the NZAA’s website https://nzarchaeology.org/news-events/national-archaeology-week-2025 or on social media using the hashtag #nzarchweek2025.

About the NZAA

The New Zealand Archaeological Association is a volunteer organisation that works to promote research and teaching in archaeology, strengthen links between professional archaeologists and non-professionals, as well as encourage conservation of archaeological sites within New Zealand. We lobby on behalf of our members, and work alongside local government, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the Department of Conservation.

Archaeology in New Zealand

New Zealand has a short but dynamic history of settlement, characterised by rapid environmental and cultural change. Archaeological sites in New Zealand relate the story of the first settlers from Eastern Polynesia around 1300 AD, the development of a unique New Zealand Māori culture within a few generations, and the 19th century settlement by European, Chinese and other immigrants. These sites inform us of New Zealand's domestic, maritime, military, industrial and farming history.

© Scoop Media