Motat June Events Lisitng

1 June 2011

Aether & Iron: a Time Traveller’s Day Out
Channelling Victorian science-fiction, MOTAT will transform into a scene from an alternate history on Sunday 12 June with Aether & Iron: A Time Traveller’s Day Out.

Hosting a one-of-a-kind event, MOTAT invites steam punks, cos-players and theatre and social history aficionados for an experience that is not to be missed.

Kids and interested adults alike will have a blast taking part in the fascinating activities at Aether & Iron: A Time Traveller’s Day Out including a costume workshop, bodice construction demonstration and ‘Steampunk’ your ray gun demonstrations. Watch the experts turn an ordinary Nerf gun into a Victorian science fiction ray gun!

Visitors to Aether & Iron: A Time Traveller’s Day Out are encouraged to come in costume to enter the fashion show and be in to win great prizes.

Other highlights of A Time Traveller’s Day Out will include LARPING (Live Action Role Play) workshops, costume display and steam train rides, all in the name of Victorian science-fiction.

Dates:
Sunday 12 June 2011, 10am-5pm

Location
MOTAT, Great North Road, Western Springs.

Costs
You can enjoy Aether & Iron: A Time Traveller’s Day Out for free in celebration of MOTAT Volunteer Awareness Month. MOTAT will be free to all visitors for the month of June.

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 tea 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 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 a role in the lives of New Zealanders stationed overseas. During both World Wars the spirits of the soldiers would be lifted by the sight of the YMCA or Salvation Army Canteen where a cup of tea and biscuits were offered to every man as a relaxing treat.

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

Dates:
Open daily, 10am-5pm

Location
MOTAT, Great North Road, Western Springs.

Costs
You can enjoy MOTAT’s ‘Tea Exhibition’ for free in celebration of MOTAT Volunteer Awareness Month. MOTAT will be free to all visitors for the month of June.

Third Sunday of the Month at Motat
If you’re looking for something to entertain the kids (and adults alike) on a quiet Sunday, head down to MOTAT for ‘Third Sunday of the Month’.

On Sunday 19 June visitors can enjoy an endless array of activities at MOTAT and take a ride on the latest addition to MOTAT’s tramway fleet, Double Decker Tram No.47 (weather permitting)

Visitors can also see MOTAT’s fantastic volunteers in action in light of New Zealand Volunteer Awareness Month running this month at MOTAT, and national volunteer awareness week being celebrated from 19-25 June. MOTAT’s volunteers will be showcasing their talents, educating visitors and making MOTAT an enjoyable day out for the whole family.

As part of New Zealand Volunteer Awareness Week this month, MOTAT is opening its gates to the public free of charge throughout June in celebration of its amazing volunteers who keep New Zealand transport and technology history alive.

MOTAT is also encouraging Aucklanders to think about volunteering some of their time at MOTAT as technicians in one of the unique collection areas, or as visitor hosts telling the stories from our transport and technology history.

Dates:
Sunday 19 June 2011, 10am-5pm

Location
MOTAT, Great North Road, Western Springs.

Costs
Entry to MOTAT for Third Sunday of the Month is free in celebration of MOTAT’s Volunteer Awareness Month. Entry is also free for duration of June.

LET LOOSE AT MOTAT’S Wii WEEKENDS
Let your competitive streak run wild at MOTAT’s Wii Weekends throughout the month of June.

Get along to MOTAT’s Lower Exhibition Hall where kids and keen gamers can register for a one day competition that puts video gaming skills to the test.

The game of choice is Mario Kart, a go-cart style racing game that will have players on the edge of their seats.

It is survival of the fittest as the top 20 players each day go into a draw to win a Nintendo Wii console at the end of the month.

For those who favour a more relaxed gaming situation, MOTAT’s Arcade Alley will be available with Pac Man, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, Sonic the Hedgehog and other arcade classics from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s - as well as your favourite board games from decades past.

So get down to MOTAT for some serious gaming fun!

Dates:
Wii Weekends run every weekend through June 2011, 10am-5pm

Location
MOTAT, Great North Road, Western Springs.

Costs
You can enjoy MOTAT’s Wii Weekends for free in celebration of MOTAT Volunteer Awareness Month. MOTAT will be free to all visitors for the month of June.

Motat Explores the Thrills and Chills of the South Pole!
Embark on an intrepid journey this month at MOTAT, and step into the shoes of one of New Zealand’s greatest explorers – Sir Edmund Hillary.

MOTAT’s cool exhibition, ‘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 journey to the South Pole.

‘90° South’ has two main elements ‘Hellbent for the Pole’, where 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.

Secondly, ‘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 objects – Sir Ed’s modified Massey Ferguson tractor, one of only three used by Sir Ed and his team to journey to the South Pole.

Dates
On daily, 10am-5pm

Location
MOTAT Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland

Costs
You can enjoy ‘900 South - Sir Edmund Hillary and the NZ Antarctic Expedition 1956-8’ for free in celebration of MOTAT Volunteer Awareness Month. MOTAT will be free to all visitors for the month of June.

ENDS

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