Dinosaurs of Patagonia star at Te Papa this summer

20 Dec 2023

Produced by Te Papa and Museo Paleontológico Egidio, Feruglio (MEF), Argentina, the family-friendly exhibition Ngā Taniwha o Rūpapa | Dinosaurs of Patagonia is now open. The exhibition uses bold and brilliant Resene paint colours as a backdrop to showcase its impressive life-sized structures.

Te Papa will be the only New Zealand venue for Dinosaurs of Patagonia – a blockbuster exhibition of recently-discovered dinosaur species featuring one of the biggest creatures ever to walk the planet: the 30-metre-long Patagotitan mayorum.

Excavated in 2014, these South American giants have been described by Sir David Attenborough as “one of the most extraordinary finds in the history of palaeontology.”

The exhibition from Argentina’s Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio will be at Te Papa until 28 April 2024.

Dinosaurs of Patagonia, Ngā Taniwha o Rūpapa at Te Papa.

The immersive, interactive exhibition includes scientific casts of a dozen Patagonian dinosaurs. The precise replica skeletons are made using 3D scanning and offer unparalleled detail and scale.

Among them is the showstopping cast of one of the world’s biggest dinosaurs, the Patagotitan mayorum – a 30-metre-long herbivore weighing more than 14 elephants. The species was discovered after a sheep herder and his dog uncovered a massive bone in the Argentinian desert.

Visitors at Dinosaurs of Patagonia, Ngā Taniwha o Rūpapa at Te Papa.

Alongside the casts are astonishing fossils, including one of the biggest dinosaur bones on the planet. This 2.4-metre-long femur (thigh bone) of the Patagotitan weighs in at half a ton.

Te Papa palaeontologist Dr Felix Marx, who has himself discovered several extinct species, says the exhibition is an extraordinary opportunity for New Zealanders.

“These Patagonian giants are some of the most important dinosaur discoveries of all time,” says Dr Marx.

“The sheer scale of these animals is mind-blowing, and they give us incredible new insights into dinosaur evolution.”

Dr Marx notes that these are the dinosaurs of the Southern Hemisphere, unlike the more well-known Northern Hemisphere dinosaurs.

“These dinosaurs once walked the continent of Gondwana, they are giants from our own backyard,” Dr Marx says.

Visitors to Ngā Taniwha o Rūpapa | Dinosaurs of Patagonia at Te Papa.

Alongside the casts and fossils, the exhibition is an immersive experience with family-friendly interactive elements created exclusively by Te Papa.

“Te Papa visitors expect a wow factor, and that’s exactly what this show will deliver,” says Te Papa Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Courtney Johnston.

“For so many people a love of dinosaurs sparks a lifelong love of science and learning.”

“We are so excited to bring this global sensation to Aotearoa,” Ms Johnston says. 

Make sure to check out this outstanding exhibition on now. Tickets are available from Ticketek: https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=PATAGON23

Published: 20 Dec 2023