Exhibitions and Displays at MOTAT

Entry to all of MOTAT's Exhibitions comes as part of your MOTAT admission fee.

Please note: The Vehicle Gallery at MOTAT’s Great North Road site is currently closed to the public. A new exhibition will be opening in the Vehicle Gallery in 2010. You can still view a number of MOTAT’s vintage vehicles in different areas of the Museum.

 

THROUGH A LENSE
 

In the spirit of showcasing some of New Zealand’s most historic artefacts, MOTAT is displaying photography of its collection taken by Auckland secondary school students in a new exhibition ‘Through a Lens’.

Students from Kings College, Henderson High School and Western Springs College sent in photographs and artwork of MOTAT’s historic artifacts, with the top 20 photographs and 33 pieces of artwork then chosen to be displayed in  the ‘Through a Lens’ exhibition.

They took creative inspiration from the existing photogaphic collections at MOTAT and historic cameras on display - including 19th Century commercial cameras, cameras designed for aerial photography, and the first 35mm film projector used in a cinema in Auckland.

The No.1 Pocket Kodak seen above is an example of some of the extraordinary antique cameras on display at MOTAT.

So come along to MOTAT this month to admire the work of our young creative Kiwis in the ‘Through a Lens’ exhibition.

Dates
Now until 31 October 2010.

Location
MOTAT - Great North Road and Meola Road Western Springs, Auckland.

Costs
You can enjoy ‘Through a Lens’ as part of your entry fee to MOTAT. You can also enjoy the rest of the museum, free tram rides and entry to the Tactile Dome and Voyager1 for one great price.

 

WINNING THE PEACE

- See the changes that took place in New Zealand following World War II and how they transformed the Kiwi way of life forever -

Between July 1945 and March 1946, 73,000 men and women came home from serving in the War overseas. Upon their return a number of astonishing developments were made including a total re-construction of the roading system in Auckland, the first automatic traffic lights were installed and a Royal Commission in favour of building the Harbour Bridge was passed.

In this new exhibition, notice the change in social structure in New Zealand once the war was over as women who had stayed behind and adapted to masculine war time roles returned to their jobs as mothers and homemakers.

With a variety of displays on-show such as the Bedford Truck and New Zealand wartime uniforms and medals, this is the perfect exhibition to get kids interested in New Zealand’s history and post-war developments.

 

 

Rattle Your Dags

- Making Things Happen in the Rural Heartland

 Exhibition Opens 5 April

 

MOTAT’s brand new exhibition, ‘Rattle Your Dags’, showcases the developments that New Zealand’s vital agricultural sector has made over the last century.  

 

New Zealand’s most innovative agricultural equipment like the Massey Ferguson tractor will be displayed alongside artefacts from the past, such as the Horse and Plough and Gallagher’s Electric Fence. 

 

The exhibition also contains some fun, interactive elements for the kids.

 

‘Rattle Your Dags’ opens on 5 April and runs until the end of June.  It is open from 10am to 5pm daily in the Lower Exhibition Hall at MOTAT’s Great North Road site.

 

 

90° South – Sir Edmund Hillary and the NZ Antarctic Expedition 1956 - 8

 

MOTAT is proud to present its latest exhibition ‘90° South – Sir Edmund Hillary and the NZ Antarctic Expedition 1956 - 8’, which tells the story of the extraordinary Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition led by Sir Ed.

  

The exhibition explores two main themes – ‘Hellbent for the Pole’, the story of Sir Ed’s determination and his capacity for planning; and ‘Quintessential Kiwi’, Sir Ed’s place in New Zealand as a national hero.  The exhibition also features one of MOTAT’s most treasured artefacts – Sir Ed’s modified Ferguson tractor, one of only three used by Sir Ed and his team to cross the South Pole on this expedition.

 

‘90° South’ appropriately opened on Monday 20 July – Sir Edmund Hillary’s birthday. 

 

There are no extra charges for visitors to enjoy ‘90° South’ at MOTAT.

 

While You Were Away Exhibition

 

MOTAT is proud to present a new exhibition to visitors:  ‘While You Were Away’ explores life in New Zealand when the world was at war.

 

The exhibition examines the impact the two World Wars had on New Zealand through the eyes of those who were left to protect the nation’s shores.  You will be able to discover the ways New Zealanders communicated with loved ones overseas, and what they did from home to assist with winning the wars.  You can also explore the impact of the US soldiers (or ‘Yanks’) when they arrived in New Zealand during wartime.

 

This exhibition is housed in the old electrical display area opposite the Vehicle Gallery at MOTAT’s Great North Road site.

 

MOTAT is FREE for Auckland region Super Gold Card holders until 30 June.
 

 

Signposts to Godzone - on now

 

Some things just naturally fall into the category of being ‘Kiwi’.  Whether its rugby, hokey pokey ice cream, the Silver Ferns or Mount Taranaki, these pieces of Kiwiana symbolise our nation’s heritage and help us to identify our place in the world.  They serve as signposts to our history, allowing us to remember the Kiwis that have helped create the nation that we live in today.

 

This exhibition celebrates the memories of our past that hold a special place in our hearts; memories that conjure up items, events and celebrations that represent the Kiwi identity.  Though our country may be small in size, our voices have been loud, our achievements great and our people inspiring.  We consider ourselves to be hard working, innovative and adventurous, yet at the same time laid-back and pragmatic.

 

 

 

Voyager1 - 4D experience

 

Shaped like a space ship, the Voyager 1 is a New Zealand made 4D simulator that will take you on a thrilling virtual reality adventure – all featured on a gigantic 9 x 4 metre theatre screen.

 

Both of Voyager 1’s popular motion movies are now showing at MOTAT!   ‘Journey to Eden’ takes you on a thrilling adventure ride over New Zealand’s breath taking Southern Alps, while ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ is an animated roller coaster ride into the depths of the earth as we’ve never seen it before!

 

A ride on Voyager 1 comes as part of your MOTAT admission fee.


 

Actual screen images of 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'

 

The New Voyager1 4D experience is here!

 

Alien Safari will take you on a ride to a fantastic planet where strange creatures roam the surface and inhabit its watery depths.  Our highly trained safari guides will get you up close and personal with these amazing alien creatures as you travel through tunnels, ice caves, worm holes and much more. 

Alien Safari is a 5 minute HD - CGI adventure film created in digital 3D and is suitable for all age groups.

Specifications: 2D visuals + automated motion + special effects/water spray.

Voyager1 is a 4D simulator capsule created right here in New Zealand!

 

Alien Safari will be shown in Voyager1 alongside the current films, ‘Journey to Eden’ and ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’.  Remember – there is no extra charge to enjoy MOTAT’s Voyager1 experience!

 

 

 

Return to MOTAT Home Page

 

 

For more information, including current events and exhibitions, call the MOTAT Infoline 0800 MOTATNZ (0800 668286)
MOTAT, Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand.   Tel: +64 9 815 5800   Fax: +64 9846 4242