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MOTAT is blowing out the candles and bringing home gold, with Te Puawānanga crowned International Exhibition of the Year at the 2025 Museums + Heritage Awards in London – just in time to celebrate the centre’s first birthday.
Famously dubbed the “Oscars of the museum world”, the prestigious global honour puts the Museum of Transport and Technology’s (MOTAT) revolutionary science and technology centre on top, edging out esteemed contenders including the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo and Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture.
Hosted annually, the Museums + Heritage Awards celebrate the very best in museums, galleries and cultural attractions worldwide. This year, MOTAT’s bold and innovative fusion of science and Mātauranga Māori caught the eyes of the judges, who said: “This outstanding exhibition seamlessly blends science and Māori culture, creating a vibrant, culturally connected space for young audiences. With impressive visitor impact and strong evaluation outcomes, it sets a new benchmark for inclusive, engaging STEAM experiences.”
Head of exhibitions, Simon Gould attended the ceremony at the Hilton Park Lane to receive the award.
“We are absolutely delighted, it is a great honour to even be shortlisted alongside the likes of such museum giants, but to win is incredible,” says Simon.
“Congratulations to our fellow nominees and thank you to Museums + Heritage and the judges for recognising Te Puawānanga in this way – we are blown away!”
As MOTAT’s largest investment in visitor experience in over a decade, Te Puawānanga was a landmark project two years in the making. Designed to address the urgent need to re-engage Kiwi kids with science, the centre is shaped by a diverse network of educators, scientists, technologists and Mātauranga Māori experts.
Its “of our place” approach blends Māori and Western worldviews, making science relevant, inclusive and exciting for all young learners.
Since opening its doors in May last year more than 248,000 visitors and 23,000 early childhood, primary and secondary students have experienced Te Puawānanga. Independent evaluation of visitor survey data shows the centre has become a key reason to visit the iconic Auckland museum. Drawing on MOTAT collections and regularly featuring industry experts, it is delivering engaging experiences and beneficial outcomes for visitors of all ages.
“Te Puawānanga is clearly striking a chord with visitors, offering an engaging and welcoming space for diverse whānau to explore the world of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM),” says director of museum experience Sally Manuireva.
“Feedback also highlights how much visitors value the inclusion of Mātauranga Māori alongside Western science – something that’s making the experience both meaningful and memorable.
“Schools and families tell us we have succeeded in creating a thoughtful, rigorous and playful environment that meets their needs. To be acknowledged by the prestigious Museums + Heritage Awards is further affirmation we have achieved our goal and is extremely rewarding.”
The Museums + Heritage gong is the latest accolade in a slew of awards for the centre this past year. At New Zealand’s Best Design Awards, it won a gold and silver pin for design and use of colour and the centre’s Energy Machine won gold for Digital Installation. It was also awarded the 2024/2025 Resene Total Colour Installation – Experiential – Product Award.
MOTAT will celebrate one year of Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre on 24-25 May during New Zealand Tech Week with Sports Tech, an event showcasing the innovative world of sports and fitness technology, providing hands-on fun for visitors of all ages
