MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology)

MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology) Your science and technology museum showcasing innovation in Aotearoa with changing events, exhibitions, and school holiday experiences.

Explore, discover, learn and play. The largest museum of its kind in New Zealand, MOTAT offers a fun, interactive, and educational experience. Explore our fascinating exhibitions telling stories of the history and development of New Zealand transport, technology and Kiwi ingenuity. Kids are well-catered for with interactive examples, hands-on technology zone plus our MOTOTs gallery is designed esp

ecially for under fives. MOTAT has something for everyone and is known as one of Auckland’s best-value attractions. With regular events, school holiday experiences and monthly Live Days, visit motat.nz to find out what is on at MOTAT for your next visit.

From refugee to pioneer! This week we are celebrating an incredible story of Aotearoa New Zealand innovation and ingenui...
19/06/2026

From refugee to pioneer!

This week we are celebrating an incredible story of Aotearoa New Zealand innovation and ingenuity with a new collection display in our Science Alive Te Manawa Magic Box.

Eugene Hirst was fleeing the N***s when he arrived in New Zealand from Czechoslovakia in 1939, but he went on to pioneer the development of contact lenses in New Zealand.

After initially working as a dental technician, Eugene's knowledge of plastic prosthetics led to him founding Hirst Contact Lenses in the early 1940s. He created New Zealand’s first contact lenses made from Perspex, helping restore sight to a near-blind young woman – a breakthrough that would transform eye care.

From those beginnings, his company went on to help shape the development of contact lenses both here and around the world.

We’re excited to share lenses, optical instruments and images of technicians at work from the Hirst Collection, highlighting this remarkable story of world-leading thinking.

✨ Innovation. Ingenuity. Impact.

18/06/2026

A new collection is now on display in Science Alive Te Manawa Magic Box! ✨

Watch as our technician and conservator construct the new Lenses and Optics display. Te Manawa Magic Box showcases fascinating objects from the Hirst Collection. Come and discover the history, science, and magic of lenses for yourself. 🔍

15/06/2026

Happy National Volunteer Week! 🌟

This week, we went behind the scenes to see some of our incredible volunteers in action, restoring and caring for collection objects to help preserve them for future generations.

We're so grateful for their dedication, expertise, bright ideas, and the countless hours they contribute to MOTAT.

To celebrate and thank volunteers for all they do, all volunteers can enjoy FREE entry to MOTAT from 13–21 June 2026.*

*Terms and conditions apply.

14/06/2026

📸 Take the perfect picture at LIVE Day: Photography this Sunday!
 
Discover the fascinating world of photography with hands-on activities, photo opportunities across the museum, a Photography Decipher Hunt, and stunning cyanotype photograms. You can even make your own camera to take home! Explore 200 years of innovation in our Get Smart exhibition, uncovering the story of communications, computing and smart technology in Aotearoa and how New Zealand connected with the world.
 
Enjoy all your Live Day favourites including the Lollyman, the Blacksmith’s Forge, live music, and plenty more fun for the whole whānau.
 
Join us for a day full of creativity, history and hands-on fun! 📷✨

💛 This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the incredible people who bring MOTAT to life.Our volunteers are at th...
13/06/2026

💛 This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the incredible people who bring MOTAT to life.

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do – from driving heritage trams and trains, to firing up the Pumphouse and boilers and helping visitors experience the sights, sounds, and smells of technology from up to 150 years ago.

They restore and maintain our collections, support research in the Walsh Memorial Library, and welcome visitors with knowledge, passion, and care.

With around 150 volunteers contributing more than 30,000 hours every year, their impact is extraordinary. And they truly represent the whole community – from age 14 to 95, from all walks of life.

✨ We're also celebrating volunteers everywhere with free entry to MOTAT until Sunday 21 June – all you need is some kind of proof of your act of service.

National Volunteer Week is almost here and we want to show our appreciation for all the incredible people who freely sha...
11/06/2026

National Volunteer Week is almost here and we want to show our appreciation for all the incredible people who freely share their time, skills and expertise to help in so many ways around the motu.

From Saturday 14 June to Sunday 21 June, we’re offering free entry to MOTAT to all volunteers.

All you need is some proof of your volunteering work to gain free entry for you and a family group. (Two adults and up to four children 5-15 years, under-fives are free).

Enjoy a day of transport, technology, and hands-on fun.

Thank you for all that you do for our communities.

Ts&Cs apply.

09/06/2026

🧸 Take home a little piece of MOTAT from one of our two gift shops!

Choose between our adorable tram driver-inspired bear 🚋 or our aviation bear ✈️ - the perfect keepsake to remember your visit.

Which one will you pick? 💛

06/06/2026

Discover what Steve, Dougie and Grant are up to in the Aviation workshop aka: the Blister Hangar. 🙌✈🤓

Today on World Environment Day we have big sustainability news to share.We’ve reduced our carbon emissions by 76% since ...
04/06/2026

Today on World Environment Day we have big sustainability news to share.
We’ve reduced our carbon emissions by 76% since we began our Toitū Carbon Reduce audits – and we’re incredibly proud of our progress.
Our recent audit results showed a further drop in emissions, down to just 141.63 tonnes from 596.89 tonnes in 2017 – that’s a 35% reduction in the past year alone.
Our biggest win? Switching to wood-based biofuel in the Pumphouse boiler and Steam Tram No. 100. But it’s also the smaller, everyday choices – thoughtful purchasing, sustainable products, and clean energy – that are really adding up.
A huge shout out to our team for making sustainability part of how we work every day.
Toitū Carbon Reduce certification isn’t a tick-box for MOTAT; it’s a marker of the kind of museum we want to be for future generations.








NZ

Address

805 Great North Road, Western Springs
Auckland
1022

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+6498155800

Website

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