It has been many years since we visited MOTAT  which is an interactive museum depicting the life of New Zealanders over the years and the changes in technology, and it has certainly changed and grown since we last visited. The museum has expanded and includes items for enthusiasts of planes, railways, cars and trucks.

MOTAT is situated in Western Springs or Te Wai Orea (waters of the eel) which is the Maori name.  William Motions brought the land from the local Maori tribe.  As Auckland began to grow and spread out in the 1800′s, a reliable source of water was needed and so the Western Springs were damned to form a lake.  A pumphouse was built in 1877 and this pumphouse can still be seen in working order at the museum.

In the 20th century there were other sources of water available and the land was put to other uses with the pumphouse becoming a council works depot.

In 1961 the Auckland City Council established a park area around the lake and the land was offered to a group of transport and aeronautical enthusiast who turned the area into a museum.

The museum was supported by volunteers who have done an excellent job in preserving the heritage of Kiwis.  The MOTAT Act was passed in 2000 which allowed the museum to employ additional professional staff.

During visiting hours you will see a number of volunteers working on various projects around the park.

Here is the Pumphouse exterior:

Pumphouse at Western Springs

The McLaren Steam Traction Engine

Mclaren Steam Tractor

A traction engine is a wheeled  self propelled steam engine, which that can be moved to any location to provide power to remove heavy loads. These might include ploughing the ground, running machinery in saw mills or crushing stone.

Traction Steam Engine

 

Filed under: Auckland • New Zealand

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