Science Fest
My arrival coincided with the annual NZ International Science Festival, which does a really good job of making science concepts one may have learned in high school and even elementary school accessible.  There was always something interesting happening in Science Fest's hub on the upper floor at Meridian Mall as well as at events around town.  Quite a number of the presentations involve professors and students from the University of Otago.
A talk on plankton.
Slide from a talk on auroras.
An interesting project to examine insect biodiversity by engaging people to send in insect material smashed on car license plates for DNA analysis.
Fuel cells.
Dunedin-based artist Pam McKinlay has worked on a variety of projects that explore the intersection between art and science (1, 2).  Most recently, inspired by native bees in a local neighborhood garden, she has led workshops where members of the community and school classes create banners as a way of sharing "information about bee diversity and conservation." 
Most events were free; the regular tour of Emerson's Brewery was included in the program but costs $40.
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