MOTAT Celebrates The Birthday Of Edmund Hillary

MOTAT Celebrates The Birthday Of Kiwi Icon – Sir Edmund Hillary

MOTAT’s latest exhibition opens on Monday 20th July to mark the birthday of one of New Zealand’s greatest explorers – Sir Edmund Hillary.

The ‘900 South - Sir Edmund Hillary and the NZ Antarctic Expedition 1956-8’ tells the story behind the extraordinary Trans-Antarctic Expedition, where Sir Ed led the New Zealand Ross Sea Party team to complete the first vehicular over land crossing of the Antarctic via the South Pole.

“Sir Ed will always remain one of New Zealand’s most iconic explorers, so it seems only right to honour his birthday with an exhibition that highlights one of his most famous journeys,” says Angela Willis, Marketing Manager for MOTAT.

‘90° South’ features two exhibits, ‘Hellbent for the Pole’ and ‘Striking a Chord’.

In the first exhibit, ‘Hellbent for the Pole’, budding explorers can take a look behind Sir Ed’s determination and his meticulous ability to plan. The exhibit includes photographs and historical documents recording the journey that Sir Ed took when leading the New Zealand division. Visitors can also learn about the fifteen huskies that were bred at Auckland Zoo especially for the expedition.

While the second exhibit, ‘Striking a Chord’, looks at Sir Ed’s past achievements and his place as a national hero.

The exhibition also features one of MOTAT’s most treasured artefacts – Sir Ed’s modified Massey Ferguson tractor, one of only three used by Sir Ed and his team to journey to the South Pole.

Embark on an intrepid journey this month at MOTAT.

Dates
Opens Monday 20th July, 2009 and runs until January 2011

Location
Logan Campbell building, MOTAT Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland.

Costs
You can enjoy ‘90° South – Sir Edmund Hillary and the NZ Antarctic Expedition 1956-8’ 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.

Entry Fee:

Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $30
Adults $14
Children (under 16) $7
Senior Citizens / Students $7
Children under 5 years are free
MOTAT Mates (annual pass) - $65 for a family (entitles you to unlimited visits to MOTAT)

Public Information Number
Phone: 0800 MOTAT NZ (0800 668 286) or visit www.motat.org.nz for further information and activity times.

ENDS

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