140 | T T Sue Russell Multiple awards for visionary centre In its first six months, Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre has had more than 155,000 people through the doors. Museum of Transport and Technology COMMUNITY Head of exhibitions at Auckland’s Museum of Transport of Technology (MOTAT), Simon Gould, says recognition by industry of the amazing qualities built into the award-winning new Science & Technology Centre, Te Puawānanga, means so much to everyone who contributed to its birth. Opened in May 2024, Te Puawānanga is the result of many years of vision building, stakeholder engagement and planning. Its purpose is to inspire visitors of all ages, by bringing to life science and technology, in a totally ‘of this place’ context through creating fun, hands-on and exciting visitor experiences. Simon says he was attracted to the role some six years ago because MOTAT was undergoing a transformation and new awakening regarding how interactive science and technology-based exhibitions are experienced. “I wanted to be part of that journey, to create top-quality visitor engagement that speaks to our ever-growing and diversifying city and firms up MOTAT’s position as the science and technology playground of Aotearoa,” Simon says. “Technology is all around us and is continually evolving. We aim to highlight incredible New Zealand tech and the people behind it from Kupe through Ernest Rutherford and Beatrice Tinsley to present-day innovators, and in so doing inspire the next generation to reach for the stars.” Te Puawānanga, in fact, received three awards at this year’s Best Design Awards, in the Spatial and Digital categories; Gold Award for Colour, Gold for its interactive Energy Machine exhibit and Silver for overall visitor experience. “I did think we had a good chance to do well, but it is always a wonderful surprise to receive Gold,” Simon reflects. He says a simply incredible team including wonderful suppliers helped create MOTAT’s largest investment in over a decade. The internal fit-out came in just under $3 million and feedback so far from visitors has been hugely positive. In its first six months, Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre has had more than 155,000 people through the doors. An evaluation of visitor survey data shows that in the first five months of opening, more than two out of every three visitors surveyed reported the centre exceeded their expectations of their museum visit. MOTAT membership has increased by over 30% for the same period. Te Puawānanga, the name chosen through partnering with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, speaks to the blossoming of knowledge. Te Puawānanga is a native vine that flowers each spring. It represents growth and emerging ideas. The centre has three distinct areas for different ages, acknowledging how, as we grow, we learn in different ways, and with the hope that visitors can ‘grow up with Te Puawānaga’. Te Tumu, is the name given to the Early Childhood Gallery and symbolises the roots where growing and learning begin. Nature-inspired elements within Te Tumu are there to be climbed on, played with, sat in and explored as youngsters naturally doTe Puku – the belly of the centre is where the action really happens. Te Waha – the voice, is a multi-function space for everyday use as well as for special events. Presentations, demonstrations, design challenges, film screenings, all happen in Te Waha. Schools are also daily visitors to the classroom in the heart of Te Waha. Simon says one of the most important elements underpinning Te Puawānanga’s design was that the experiences needed to reflect Aotearoa/New Zealand. “We achieved this by nurturing a respectful relationship between Western science and Mātauranga Maori from the start. It’s there in the design, the content, the thinking. This was crucial to reflect the place we call home and the technology that we create, and importantly for our young visitors to see themselves in Te Puawānanga.”
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