Te Papa goes big on bugs

Te Papa will be overrun by creepy crawlies this summer when the museum opens Bug Lab, its next summer blockbuster exhibition.

From December 10, museumgoers will be able to experience hands-on science and large-scale models inspired by the secret life of bugs and their genius ways.

In a collision of high-impact design and science, the national museum has enlisted Weta Workshop and ‘‘Bug Man’’ Ruud Kleinpaste to bring the all-ages Bug Lab together.

The exhibition marks the second collaboration of Te Papa’s head of design, Ben Barraud, and Weta Workshop’s Sir Richard Taylor, after the success of Gallipoli: The Scale Of Our War.

‘‘For 450 million years, bugs have been getting smarter. From brain surgery to teamwork to the power of flight – they really can do it all. Now they’re sharing their genius to help humans make the world a better place,’’ Taylor says.

Joining Kleinpaste on the Bug Lab science team will be Te Papa’s entomologist (and former former arachnophobe) Phil Sirvid, and University of Canterbury spider scientist Simon Pollard.

Bug Lab, which follows the DreamWorks Animation summer blockbuster, opens on Saturday, December 10, and closes on April 17, 2017. Tickets will cost $15 for adults and $5 for children, with concession and family passes available.