‘Recycle-o-saurus’ comes to town

Taupō Museum Displays Officer Piata Winitana-Murray.  

A dinosaur-themed exhibition featuring art created from recycled materials is on at Taupō Museum and Art gallery. 

Recycle-o-Saurus, which runs until June 8, continues a tradition of hands-on, community-led exhibitions following well-loved favourites such as Re-Cycle, Creepy Crawlies and Quixotic Aquatic. 

"Recycle-o-Saurus is all about creating with the materials around us," says Taupō Museum Displays Officer Piata Winitana-Murray.  

"It's exciting to see the community express itself through fun, imaginative works made from recycled items." 

The exhibition features about 30 contributions from across the community.  

Artist Melissa Savage engaged visitors at the Sunday Market to help create her dinosaur piece, while Taupō Hospice ran three workshops where participants used textiles from the hospice shop to create 26 ‘dinky dinos’. 

One standout piece comes from John, an artist from Hicks Bay who created ‘The Prehistoric Recycling Committee’ using driftwood, clay, feathers, flax, Lego and other materials.  

He also brought a fossilised dinosaur egg from Mongolia that he purchased at auction, which now serves as a featured piece in the exhibition. 

Jan Ubals created a pterodactyl named Bob from scrap materials found in his backyard. 

Textiles and old clothing feature throughout the exhibition, with artists repurposing fabrics into colourful dinosaur creations. 

The museum is hosting family-friendly activities alongside the exhibition, including guided dinosaur adventures led by education staff.  

The tours incorporate information about New Zealand's unique dinosaur heritage, including three species found only in New Zealand waters: Mauisaurus, Taniwhasaurus and Tuarangisaurus. 

Preschools and schools have already booked visits for next term. 

Entry to the exhibition is free for local residents.