New Museum Experience Director appointed at MOTAT

NEW DIRECTOR, MUSEUM EXPERIENCE, AT MOTAT

Media Release: July 2025

The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) is pleased to announce Liz Cotton has been appointed as its next Director, Museum Experience.

Liz is currently the Director of Museum & Arts at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery, where she provides visionary leadership for one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s foremost regional cultural institutions.

MOTAT Chief Executive / Museum Director Craig Hickman-Goodall said: “I am delighted that Liz Cotton will join our Executive Leadership Team as Director Museum Experience. Liz brings to MOTAT a track record of transformational leadership in the cultural sector and the breadth of experience and leadership she will bring to the team is exciting for MOTAT and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.”

Liz Cotton said: “I am thrilled to be joining MOTAT at this time. Coming off the internationally recognised success of Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre, I look forward to working with the MOTAT Team, partners and communities to further realise the potential of the museum experience at this unique and important cultural institution.

“Personally, it is something of a coming home for me, returning to Auckland where I grew up in the West, and to MOTAT where I worked with collections as a young museum professional in 2005/2006. There are exciting times ahead.”

Liz’s impressive resume includes the role of Head of Planning & Operations at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing public engagement and strengthening the visitor experience at the nation’s most significant historic site. At Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum, she led multidisciplinary teams across five major curatorial domains, fostering innovation in research, collections, and public programming. Her earlier work as Senior Advisor on heritage legislation at Manatū Taonga shaped national policy and supported the protection and celebration of Aotearoa’s cultural heritage.

Liz’s governance experience is equally significant. She currently chairs the ICOM Aotearoa New Zealand Committee and represents the country on the ICOM Advisory Council. She also sits on the Lotteries Environment & Heritage Committee and leads as Chair of the Te Tuhi Contemporary Arts Trust. She is a former Chair and long-standing board member of Museums Aotearoa, where her leadership has helped shape national museum practice and advocacy. MOTAT looks forward to welcoming Liz onto the team from 29 September 2025.

ENDS

For further information, images or interviews, please contact Nicole Parish, Communications Manager.