Our presentation will highlight the award-winning digital projection experience Te Kōtiu in MOTAT’s Aviation Hall. It will peel back the layers of this ‘world first’ aviation experience, building a picture of the process undertaken to incorporate new content, including pūrakau Māori, tūturu Māori art, and inspiring stories of wāhine Māori and Pacific aerospace trailblazers.
Narrated in te reo Māori and English, Te Kōtiu (meaning to swoop / North-West wind) transforms the visitor experience from observing to immersing in the storytelling of aviation. We set out to create an inclusive experience that extended on the offering in the Aviation Hall to showcase the importance of flight through a te ao Māori lens.
MOTAT worked with digital agency and principal partner Waxeye. We collaborated with cultural advisors and experts, including kaumatua Hone Martin, to showcase the extraordinary manu kuaka/godwit migration and flight formation, featured throughout the projection experience.
Digitised manu aute kite works by artist Nikau Hindin take flight in Te Kōtiu, contextualised within Māori design and navigation technology.
This thought-provoking presentation will include inspiring quotes and imagery to highlight the importance of collaborating with cultural experts and advocating for representation and the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives.
Karla Bo Johnson, Exhibitions Content Development Manager, MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology: Karla Bo Johnson is a content and exhibitions expert with more than 15 years’ experience developing exhibitions within museums, including the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Auckland Museum and MOTAT. Karla Bo has managed the content planning for exhibition projects across MOTAT’s two sites, including Te Kōtiu in the Aviation Hall. Karla Bo currently manages the team of exhibition content developers, working across MOTAT’s on-site exhibitions and digital content projects.
Rachel Bush, Senior Exhibitions Content Developer, MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology: Rachel Bush has more than 7 years’ experience developing content for temporary and long-term exhibition projects. As lead content developer for Te Kōtiu, Rachel actively engaged with a range of subject and collection experts to showcase inspiring stories of Aotearoa aviation. With a background in video and TV production, Rachel is a skilled storyteller across a range of media and frequently creates innovative and engaging exhibitions for MOTAT audiences.
Jessica Gommers, Design Manager, Exhibitions, MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology: Jess Gommers is a design specialist with 20+ years' experience working within museums and galleries in Australia and New Zealand. As Design Manager, Exhibitions, Jess manages all aspects of the design process for temporary and permanent/long-term exhibitions, across both MOTAT sites, including design direction and production.