A new science and technology experience opening in 2024
GET READY FOR MORE!
Ka tuwhera ā te tau 2024. Kei te hangaia tētahi pokapū pūtaiao hōu mō koutou. Kia takatū mō te roanga ake!
We’re building you a new science and technology experience, opening 2024. Get ready for more!
Our main exhibition hall at MOTAT Great North Road (Building 5) is being transformed into an interactive science and technology centre. Designed for whānau groups to discover and learn together, this new experience will provide spaces and exhibits for all people and will be at the heart of MOTAT’s vision to educate and inspire the innovators of tomorrow.
Designed too for education groups to learn in a fun and stimulating way, the exhibition content closely aligns to The New Zealand Curriculum. The centre will draw on STEAMM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, mathematics and mātauranga Māori) concepts to get curious minds sparking and the interactive nature of this space will provide plenty of opportunities to put learning into play.
The project team has spent almost a year researching, collaborating and designing the new centre. Between them they bring a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience to create this amazing new multi-gallery space. You can meet them here
Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre will be ready for visitors in 2024 and we can’t wait to welcome you in!
Along the way:
Please excuse any disruption while the building is under development – we promise it will be worth the wait!
Building 5 is unavailable to the public until the new science and technology centre opens in 2024. We have completed structural roof and building work and have now started on the space inside and creating the new galleries within it. Please see the map and FAQs below.
Everything else at MOTAT Great North Road and the Aviation Hall, Motions Road remain fully operational.
Activities that would ordinarily take place in Building 5, including Education, have moved to other spaces around the Museum.
Tram rides continue to operate daily as usual, and Little Flick EV rides too.
All Live Days, holiday experiences and other events will continue across both MOTAT locations throughout the year, with more activity taking place at MOTAT Motions Road (Aviation Hall) than in the past.
Thank you to all our visitors for your patience and understanding during the construction period while we bring you this exciting new experience.
This map shows the area currently under development at MOTAT Great North Road
FAQs
An exciting new science and technology experience is being created in Building 5. It will open in 2024.
Building 5 is unavailable to the public.
All other MOTAT exhibitions and activities as well as events, Live Days and holiday programming will continue across both locations: Great North Road and Motions Road. We have a full calendar of events, Live Days and holiday programming planned for the next 12 months.
We expect to open the new science and technology experience in 2024.
At MOTAT Great North Road, everything is open (including the Pumphouse, Get Smart, Accelerate, Machine Makers, Telecommunications, MOTOTS, Main Street Playground, Little Flick EV rides and The Village). Just Building 5 and the Print Shop are closed.
Yes, the MOTAT trams will continue to operate as normal for the duration of the project.
Yes, we have a full programme planned across the year with lots to look forward to, including our events, holiday experiences and monthly Live Days. These will run across both MOTAT locations.
While our new science and technology experience is being developed, Education programmes and teaching will take place at MOTAT Aviation Hall, Motions Road with a dedicated Education tram running between our two sites, so students still get to visit MOTAT Great North Road. See here for more information.
Wheelchairs and other mobility aids can still be taken to all places normally available at MOTAT. Please be aware that our wheelchair access bathrooms are limited at MOTAT Great North Road during the construction period with just the bathroom facilities at Building 1 and 2 available. We apologise for this and please ask our friendly team if you have questions and for directions.
The Building 5 toilets are unavailable until the new science and technology centre opens. In the meantime, when you are visiting the Great North Road site, you can use the toilets at Accelerate (Building 2), and the café at Cropper House, please refer to our visitor map.
