July Holiday Experience
Enjoy hands-on fun with light, lenses and illumination.
See the world differently these school holidays.
This July, Explore how lenses and optics shape the way we see everything around us.
Make your own 3D glasses, draw an anaglyph image and see the world of MOTAT in 3D. Experiment with mirrors, black panels and reflective surfaces on a large-scale light installation that tells the story of Ranginui and Papatūānuku. Then get up close with flora and fauna through a range of lenses and microscopes — you might be surprised what you find
For Matariki, visit Wishing Star Ki a Hiwa Rā! to make a digital wish for the New Year to Hiwa-i-te-rangi (the star of wishes and aspirations) and see the beautiful artwork of Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho (Tūhoe/Ngāti Porou/Rongowhakaata/Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi/Ngāti Kahungungu). Design your own whetū (star) to take home and follow the Matariki stamp trail.
Join us for a holiday filled with discovery and hands-on fun and see how important lenses and optics play a part in our world.
Included in General Admission.
Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre
In our award-winning Science and Technology Centre - Te Puawānanga, explore rich stories interwoven with concepts of science, art, technology and maths that surround us every day. Te Puawānanga is all about interaction and discovery for all ages. From the towering Tāne Mahuta in Te Tumu - Play space for under 5s, to Beats in Time in Te Waha - the Innovation space, we welcome everyone to explore science and tech in a whole new way.
In Te Manawa Science Alive Magic Box, see some fascinating images from our optometry collection on the display wall, plus a selection of lenses and telescopes.
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Ngā hau a Tāwhirirangi Forces of Flight
A Aviation Hall experience.
In this new permanent exhibition, discover the forces that take you sky high. Uncover the invisible powers that make flight possible and see how lift, thrust, drag and weight work together to keep everything from birds to jumbo jets soaring through the sky.
With hands-on experiments and interactive displays that let you test the forces yourself, feel the balance of physics in action - push against air, shape wings, and see what it takes to fly.
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Hautū Aunoa Autopilot
Last few weeks to explore Hautū Aunoa Autopilot! Explore the bold future of autonomous technology.
Would you board a plane with no pilot?
Take a look at the self-flying Wisk Generation 5 Cora, learn how drones and AI are changing conservation and transport. Plus, take off on an immersive VR flight over Tāmaki Makaurau - no cockpit required!
Closes 19 July.
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