Ferns are an integral part of New Zealand’s environment and culture. Tune in to our Science Live broadcast on Friday 16 May to learn about what makes these Kiwi emblems special. Plus, can you help to make a scientific discovery?
Find out about ferns live online with curator Leon Perrie
Get involved!
- find ferns and enter our prize draw. We want to know what ferns are around you, so become a ‘citizen scientist’ and let us know. Enter the Find ferns and win competition.
- take the ‘Is it a fern?’ test.
- take our fern personality test to find out what New Zealand fern you and your friends are. What fern are you? – coming soon!
- check out our guides to common New Zealand ferns and New Zealand’s tree ferns. These should help you find more ferns for entering our prize draw!
- tell us what you would like to know about ferns. Leave your questions in the comments section below, or write us an email at sciencelive@tepapa.govt.nz
Botany Curator
I specialise in the taxonomy (i.e., naming) and evolution of New Zealand’s ferns, often using DNA analyses to address issues that can’t be resolved by consideration of the external features of the plants alone. I enjoy exploring new places, even if it is only to see plants I’ve never before encountered in the wild!