Graham Stewart. 16 Mar 1973. [Driver Len Joyce and Graham Stewart next to Last Onehunga trolley bus 15 on Onehunga Depot route 10], PHO-2020-19.303. Walsh Memorial Library, The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). Having helped establish the Old Time Transport Preservation League in 1957 Graham Stewart was a supporter of MOTAT since its inception in 1960, with the tramway opening in 1967. Graham began his career as a press photographer, capturing major events of the d

By Mark Kilpatrick A small group of Society members gathered at the M1 site of the Museum of Transport and Technology, on Tuesday 17th February 2026, to have a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at the Museum’s tramway. The visit involved a tram ride to the Motions Road corner to view the new passing loop track, a visit to the tramway mechanical workshop and to the woodwork workshop to view Wanganui* trailer 21. Travel from M1 to Motions Road corner was provided by Auckland tram 44 of

By Alan Curtis Close up of the acorn on the lap of the preserved box at MOTAT. Image courtesy Bryna Foster. In 2023 I came across an article about an English kitset model of a Victorian Post Box. The writer had purchased one and his curiosity led him to do some research, and he was able to confirm that it is excellent example of a Penfold Letter Box. So, what does this matter to us in New Zealand? Named after John Penfold, the architect who designed it, Penfold boxes are ve

By Bill Rayner MOTAT First Day Cover envelope 1977, Photograph by Bill Rayner MOTAT for many years had its own Post Office and issued a series of First Day covers for stamp issues featuring heritage items on the envelope and sold as MOTAT souvenirs to the public. The example shown featured the centenary of the phonograph (later called a gramophone), by American inventor Thomas Edison in 1877 with a first day of issue of the stamp of August 27th, 1977. Philately, the study, a

By Makyla Curtis In September 2025, the Print Shop team welcomed staff and volunteers into the workshop to get up close and personal with He Whakaputanga, The Declaration of Independence, by setting some of the type that would go towards its printing. He Whakaputanga debated and agreed by 34 rangatira (leaders) in the Bay of Islands on 28th October 1835. It was signed by a further 18 rangatira from the North Island in 1839. It was sent to King William IV and formally acknowl

By James Duncan Recently a lady contacted Malcom at the MOTAT Library seeking help in trying to solve the riddle about the death of a family member who had been an Auckland tram Conductor. All the lady had was a newspaper article mentioning the death of her relative, Mr. George McLean, and how he was knocked off his Onehunga bound tram by a “cross bar.” She really wanted to know what this “cross bar” might have been. Malcom asked if I could help with this most unusual request

On Thursday the 28th of August the Motat Society and The Walsh Memorial Library had the honour of hosting a talk by renowned paper conservator David Ashman. David has worked for over 35 years within the printing, paper and conservation sector, and is the founder and principal conservator of Book Studio One. He has worked and studied throughout NZ, Australia and the UK, completing a Diploma in Book and Archives Conservation at the Colchester Institute, and a Higher National Di

The Auckland Stardome is sited on the southern slopes of One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie, in the domain of Cornwall Park. It is a dark location at night. Walking the rough ground is slow going, but inside, it is warm and bright. There are lots of people gathering: children in groups and with parents emerge excitedly from the just completed session. In large rooms there are mobile displays of the solar system and the exploration of it, physical models and samples of space rock. Our

In August, the MOTAT Society had the privilege to be hosted by the St Matthews Bellringer Society at St-Matthew-in-the-City. Under the competent and enthusiastic guidance of Scott Pilkington we ascended the tightly wound spiral staircase to the bellringing floor halfway up the belltower. Here we were given an insight into the different call changes and method ringing routines, such as Plain Bob, and were given the opportunity to explore our own aptitude as potential bellringe

Graham Stewart. 1955. [Tram 253 on Anzac Avenue with cars parked on street], PHO-2020-19.116. Walsh Memorial Library, The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). This 70-year-old photograph by MOTAT co-founder Graham Stewart MNZM captures tram no. 253 – Queen Mary – powering up Anzac Avenue past the High Court towards Symonds Street. Behind her are the Railway Hotel, the Beach Road Railway Station, and the port beyond. A contemporary photograph from the same vantage poin

The MOTAT Society has seen continued membership growth and continued improvement and development of a productive collaborative partnership with MOTAT and the MOTAT Board, facilitated by regular contact with the Board Chair and CE in particular through the biannual “Heads Meeting.” The Society made a Draft Annual Plan submission in January which wholeheartedly supported the museum’s Annual Plan. The Society again worked closely with Tātaki Unlimited (Auckland Council) on the a

The Financial Year 2024 – 2025 has been a very successful year, despite the ongoing economic challenges. The priority has been to continue to deliver on the 2019 -2029 MOTAT Master Strategy whilst upholding the responsibility set out in the MOTAT Act 2000. International Recognition: Te Puawānanga, our science and technology exhibition which opened in May 2024, won the International Exhibition of the Year at the Museum + Heritage global awards in London. This investment has p

As this is the last Squeaky Wheel issue for 2025, I would just like to wish you all a very festive forthcoming Christmas season. I know it might look as if it’s a bit early, however the ads are beginning to appear on the telly and many of the shops are beginning to put up their special displays. Elsewhere in this issue you will be able to read the report from the 2024/25 chair Makyla Curtis as presented to the Annual General Meeting, as well as a summary of the presentation m

MOTAT Society members met at McCahon House back in February when the sun was still shining, for a guided tour. Our guide Deborah gave a detailed tour of the house, its architecture, how it came to be preserved and the story of Colin McCahon. his paintings and his family while they lived there. The tour ended with the viewing of an excellent short film that summarised the tour but also connected the details of the house with archival footage and images of McCahon paintings.

Celebrating MOTAT’s 60th anniversary last year has provided a great opportunity to look back through the collections at some of the oldest items held at MOTAT. These 20 fascinating objects all date to pre-1850. For each object, a link to MOTAT’s Collections Online has been included.

Congratulations MOTAT Team - Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre has won International Exhibition of the Year at the...

A small group of Motat Society enthusiasts gathered at the gates of the Motat Workshops for a guided tour of the rail section organised by Graham Anderson. The tour was led by Marty Radford ably assisted by his team with special mention to Rick Schreuder who is a qualified mechanical engineer with the fire services with a real passion for the restorative work.

The Waitakere Ranges Rainforest Express, well known to MOTAT Trammie old timers, is being re-established by the Waitakere Rainforest Tramline Trust under the leadership of local Councillor Ken Turner. Ken, is a mechanic with an engineering business and is both a Waitakere Ranges and heritage enthusiast, living on the harbour side at Āwhitu.

The Telecoms exhibit has recently had a small but meaningful refresh, giving the space a lift while preserving the charm and atmosphere that make it popular with visitors.

The March excursion was an hour-long harbour cruise on the Maritime Museum’s Ted Ashby, a ketch rigged deck scow, an example of the fleet of scows that covered the Hauraki Gulf and northern New Zealand waters in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. They had flat bottoms and would sit on the sand at low tide for loading off beaches where necessar