Visitors are invited to explore the ancient history of Waikato through Fossil Finds, opening on 17 April 2026 at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery.
The exhibition explores fossils from across the Waikato, telling the story of how the region was shaped by ancient seas, volcanoes, and shifting continents. At the heart of the show is the lifetime collection of local fossil enthusiast Rex Williams, built through decades of careful collection, research, and exchange with collectors from around the world.
Packed in storage much as Rex left it, the collection is estimated to include 10,000 items ranging from pristine ammonites collected at Kaawhia to belemnites, moa remains, shells, and international specimens. With no notebooks to guide them, the museum team undertook detailed research to understand and document the collection, also partnering with Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, to ensure the scientifically significant collection could be shared nationally.
Director of Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery, Rachael Davies, says the exhibition reflects how a lifetime of passion has helped enrich our understanding of the region.
“In one project, we’ve gained a meaningful fossil collection that allows us to tell the story of ancient Waikato, all whilst honouring a lifetime of collecting - making these stories accessible to the public for the first time. It’s a privilege to be able to share Rex’s collection and his legacy with our visitors and our dedicated team will ensure the collection will be available for research and discovery, for generations to come.”
Fossil Finds runs from 17 April 2026 to 7 February 2027 and is free to visit.