Colossal Squid: Freaky Features!Te Ngū Tipua: Ngā Wāhanga Weriweri!
Because they live at extreme depths in freezing water, us humans know very little about the colossal squid’s life, they are very rarely captured or seen. Find out about different parts of the colossal squid using Interactive objects and rotating models.
The first scientific report of a colossal squid only came in 1925, when parts were discovered in the stomach of a sperm whale. Since then, only a few adult colossal squid have been reported, and only four have been recovered complete. Many, many other specimens are only parts recovered from the stomachs of whales, sharks and scavenging birds like the albatross.
Colossal Squid: Freaky Features! Te Ngū Tipua: Ngā Wāhanga Weriweri! centres around an interactive table displaying many different objects including the lens from an eye of the colossal squid, part of a tentacle, and a complete tiny squid; the miniature of its colossal relative. Touchable rotating models of a squid’s tentacle hook and the Colossal Squid's beak are also on display.
The exhibition also displays two documentaries which show life in the depths of the Southern Ocean, and how the most complete colossal squid ever found ended up at Te Papa.
The public will be able to continue the experience and learn beyond the exhibition with a new Te Papa Press book for children, Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep, and our online resources including a free downloadable colossal squid activity book.
Tour schedule
Western Bay Museum, Katikati Western Bay Museum July – 1 October 2024
| Te Hikoi Museum, Riverton | 11 February – 29 April 2025 |
| Waitaki Museum and Archive, Oamaru | 12 December 2024 – 16 February 2025 |
| Western Bay Museum, Katikati | July 2024 – 1 October 2024 |
| Tauranga Museum, Tauranga | 3 April 2024 – 1 July 2024 |
| Te Awamutu Museum, Te Awamutu | 25 November 2023 – 31 March 2024 |
| Kaikoura Museum, Kaikōura | 20 September 2023 – 14 November 2023 |
| Ashburton Museum, Ashburton | 24 June 2023 – 17 September 2023 |
| Puke Ariki, New Plymouth | 03 December 2022 – 26 February 2023 |
| South Canterbury Museum, Timaru | 02 September – 20 November 2022 |
| The Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao, Nelson | 26 May 26 – 28 August 2022 |
| Waikato Museum, Hamilton | 26 November 2021 – 16 March 2022 |
Hosting enquiries
Pat Stodart, Touring Exhibition Manager
Phone: +64 (0)4 381 7255
Email: touringexhibitions@tepapa.govt.nz
