EVENTS LISTING

27 September 2011

MOTAT’s Aviation Display Hall Has More Action on the ‘Wings’ than the All Blacks

New Zealand’s largest clear span wooden structure is now open at MOTAT, with the new $18.5 million Aviation Display Hall already astounding domestic and international visitors.

The 3,000m2 custom designed Display Hall is more than double the size of MOTAT’s original Aviation Hangar and currently houses 25 MOTAT aircraft, including a Lancaster Bomber, DC3, Cessna and Tiger Moth.

The collection will continue to grow as a RNZFA Skyhawk, Sunderland and Solent Flying boats are due to be transported inside the Display Hall at a later date.

Construction of the new Aviation Display Hall began in January 2010, with the structure designed by Studio Pacific Architecture, the company behind the impressive re-design of the Wellington International Airport Passenger Terminal.

Get along to MOTAT’s brand new Aviation Display Hall to learn about New Zealand’s aviation history and the stories associated with our magnificent aircraft collection, housed in a world class structure.

Dates:
Open daily

Location
MOTAT, Meola Rd, Western Springs.

Costs

A return tram ride is FREE with MOTAT entry. Off the street tram fares are family pass $5, adult one way $1, adult return $2, child one way 50 cents, child return $1, under 5 years free.

Entry Fee:

Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $35
Adults $14
Children (under 16) $8
Students $8
Senior Citizens $7
Children under 5 years are free
MOTAT Mates (annual pass) - $65 for a family (entitles you to unlimited visits to MOTAT)

OVER A CUPPA TEA

Visit the Village Gallery at MOTAT and learn about New Zealand’s long and fascinating history of drinking tea at the new exhibition – ‘A teaspoon per cup and one for the pot’.

From a traditional Maori medicine to a garden party must, learn what influence a ‘cuppa’ has had on the Kiwi way of life.

From its beginnings, tea has made a statement in New Zealand. The tea tree (or Manuka) was initially used by early Māori for medicinal purposes, and in 1769, Captain James Cook saw its other potential and turned the Manuka leaves into tea.

By 1850 it had become the hot drink of choice for the average New Zealander and was drunk all over the country in a wide variety of places and ways.

Kids and adults alike will be interested in learning about how low cost budget brands of tea could contain dangerous additives such as sawdust and how in 1882 the Tea Examination Act solved this problem by stating that any tea sold must be pure.

Tea also played an essential role in the lives of New Zealanders stationed overseas. During both World Wars the spirits of soldiers would be lifted when they caught view of the YMCA or Salvation Army Canteen where a cup of tea and biscuits were offered to every man as a relaxing treat.

For a hands-on tea experience, get along to tea etiquette lessons in MOTAT’s Victorian Tearooms, or have a tea history guided tour around the museum on Sunday 16 October.

Come along to MOTAT and learn more about the common ‘cuppa’ and its significance to New Zealand society.

Dates:
Open daily, 10am-5pm
Tea etiquette lessons and tea history guided tours – Sunday 16 October, sessions throughout the day.

Location
MOTAT, Great North Road, Western Springs.

Costs

You can enjoy MOTAT’s ‘Tea Exhibition’ as part of your MOTAT admission fee.

Entry Fee:

Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $35
Adults $14
Children (under 16) $8
Students $8
Senior Citizens $7
Children under 5 years are free
MOTAT Mates (annual pass) - $65 for a family (entitles you to unlimited visits to MOTAT)

CHECK OUT MOTAT’S BLACKSMITH IN ACTION!

Step back in time and experience history in action at MOTAT’s blacksmith forge every Sunday from 10am – 5pm.

MOTAT’s resident Blacksmith Andrew Hooper will show you the tricks of the trade including how to make horseshoes and other historic tools in his blacksmith’s forge in MOTAT’s Victorian Village.
Kids will be amazed by how easily Andrew can bend, hammer and shape hard metal into tools and cooking utensils.

MOTAT’s Victorian Village brings to life Auckland in the mid to late 1800's. The buildings, set in glorious gardens, encircle the Village Green and include the blacksmith’s forge and a chapel.

Bisected by tram lines, the streetscape beyond the Village includes a garage, general store, music shop and school house for your viewing pleasure. Kids will love taking a look at the restored buildings filled with collection objects, models and furnishings reflecting what life was like in early Auckland.

Dates
Open to the public every Sunday 10am – 5pm

Location
MOTAT Victorian Village, MOTAT Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland.

Costs
You can enjoy the blacksmith forge and Victorian Village as part of your entry fee to MOTAT. You can also enjoy the rest of the museum, free tram rides and the ‘I Am The Last Tram’ exhibition for one great price.

Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $35
Children (under 16) $8
Students $8
Senior Citizens $7
Children under 5 years are free
MOTAT Mates (annual pass) - $65 for a family (entitles you to unlimited visits to MOTAT)

CELEBRATE THE FANTASTIC FLYING BROTHERS AT MOTAT

Austin Leonard Walsh (Leo) and Vivian Claude Walsh are remembered for making the first powered, controlled and sustained flight in New Zealand.

Visit the new Walsh Brothers photographic display at the Walsh Memorial Library and be captivated by memories of a historic event, the 100th anniversary of the Walsh brothers’ Manurewa to Papakura flight.

Not only did these courageous Kiwis launch flight in New Zealand, they set up their own flying school ‘The New Zealand Flying School’ to teach men who served in World War I how to fly.

At MOTAT you can also see Vivian’s very own pilot’s license, photographs of their flights, and embroidered wings from the New Zealand Flying School uniform.

MOTAT’s Walsh Memorial library is a reference library filled to the brim with a fascinating collection of books, journals, photographs, archives, manuscripts, maps and plans. These cover a wide range of topics including trams, trains, cars, trucks, military, civilian aviation, agriculture, photography, communications, engineering and electronics, catering to every MOTAT enthusiast’s needs.

If eager for time-out with a good book, sit back and relax in the designated family area and enjoy reading a fantastic range of educational children’s books.

Dates

Open weekdays and Sunday 16 October, 10.30am-4.30pm

Location
Walsh Memorial Library at MOTAT, Great North Road site, Western Springs, Auckland.

Costs
You can enjoy the Walsh Brothers display and the Walsh Memorial Library as part of your entry fee to MOTAT. You can also enjoy the rest of the museum, ‘I Am The Last Tram’ exhibition and entry to the Voyager1 for one great price.

Entry Fee:

Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $35
Adults $14
Children (under 16) $8
Students $8
Senior Citizens $7
Children under 5 years are free
MOTAT Mates (annual pass) - $65 for a family (entitles you to unlimited visits to MOTAT)

THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE IN THE TACTILE DOME

The Tactile Dome continues to be an all time favourite activity at MOTAT. Kids will thrive in the adventure as they work their way through a labyrinth of obstacles in a purpose built tunnel.

As an interactive activity, kids are encouraged to use their senses in order to make their way through to the other side of the tunnel.

There is an adventure around every corner, as an abundance of multi-textured materials give kids clues as to whether they are walking, crawling or jumping in the right direction.

The kids will love venturing through the dome with friends or family, attempting to keep on track, and feel their way through foreign landscapes and be the first to emerge on the other side.

This activity is a great way for kids to get in touch with their senses and work as a team or individually to conquer the ultimate tactile challenge.

Dates
Regular Tactile Dome sessions run between 10am – 5pm.

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

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

Entry Fee:

Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $35
Adults $14
Children (under 16) $8
Students $8
Senior Citizens $7
Children under 5 years are free
MOTAT Mates (annual pass) - $65 for a family (entitles you to unlimited visits to MOTAT)

ENDS

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