Welcome to Te Puawānanga, your newest science and technology experience!
The spaces within this exciting new centre are full of 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.
The spaces
There are three unique spaces within Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre. Come and explore.
Te Tumu
Play space for under 5sTe Tumu is the foundation for growth and is for our youngest visitors. Drawing on elements of nature, including our neighbouring Te Wai Ōrea Western Springs, this space is for climbing, crawling, and getting hands-on with nature-based activities … what can you find hiding in the cave?
Te Puku
Science spaceTe Puku is our belly, the central space for soaking up the science that surrounds you. Here you can explore science through interactive experiences about light, energy, matter and much more. Learn about the ideas, forces, and technologies that shape our everyday lives as well as stories of innovators and inventors from Aotearoa.
Created for whānau and children aged 5 – 12 years.
Te Waha
Innovation spaceA multi-purpose space for everything from after-school clubs, science demonstrations and collection displays. Take on self-led design challenges or watch and learn about some of the best tech currently in Aotearoa.
The Science Alive Te Manawa Magic Box is the star of the show, changing shape for the many different uses within the space.
Up in the mezzanine, you can find Rehua - Rest space. Here you can design your own large-scale pattern exploring mathematics and art or just take some time out and enjoy views across the centre.
Science Alive Te Manawa Magic Box
Visit our Science Alive Te Manawa Magic Box to discover collection items and design challenges, with items and activities changed regularly to showcase different themes.
This summer, Te Manawa Magic Box is a place to explore different types of technology that improve people’s lives. Come and complete the design challenge based on the mathematical concept of tessellation – patterns that repeat shapes to completely fill a space. Can you calculate how many shapes are needed? Use felt cut on the MOTAT laser cutter and create your own beautiful tessellation pattern.
Discover and compare different methods of measuring weight with a selection of scales from different time periods, and make your own balance scales using coat hangers, string, and cups. You can also create your own mathematical puzzles, 2D “Rubik’s” cubes and hexa-flexagons from templates available at the Te Manawa Magic Box.
You can also see a selection of collection items themed around measurement – from a vertometer to a Watt-Hour meter, and a Q and I detector!
Check out some of these items in our Collection here.
Background
Te Puawānanga has been in development for several years and has taken over our main exhibition hall at MOTAT Great North Road (Building 5).
Our project team has spent two years researching, designing and developing the content, and has worked with experts across Aotearoa and beyond to create a space that offers hands-on learning for all ages, and is uniquely and distinctly of this place.
The centre name 'Te Puawānanga' is from the Māori kupu for the clematis flower, a climbing vine. Meaning ‘a place to blossom and learn’, this is our primary hope, that our visitors will thrive and flourish in this science and technology centre.
Our valued supporters
MOTAT would like to thank our generous partners and donors for their support in bringing
Te Puawānanga to life.
