MOTAT honours Kiwi innovators with latest exhibition

The Innovators is a showcase of some of New Zealand's most prominent innovators now open at Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).

It is an exhibition which celebrates the entire process of innovation, from conceptualisation to creation and explores the learnings from setbacks overcome along the way.

Visitors will be able to gain a unique insight into the personal attributes and thought processes of ordinary Kiwis who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments.

Innovators sharing their stories and hard-won wisdom include Peter Beck from Rocket Lab, Rod Drury from Xero, Ian Taylor from Animation Research Limited, Frances Valintine from The Mind Lab by Unitec and Dr Keith Alexander from Springfree Trampoline.

MOTAT's Interpretation Manager Rebecca Britt describes this exhibition as being aligned with the Museum's focus on contemporary Kiwi ingenuity and technology.

"Our aim is to inspire a wave of new innovators by demonstrating to our visitors that ingenuity is not reserved for the geniuses of this world," she says.

"Not everyone can be another Steve Jobs but through hard work and creativity, innovation is accessible to everyone.

Art of Fact Director David Hebblethwaite partnered with MOTAT on the concept development and design for The Innovators, he explains that researching the stories behind these successful entrepreneurs was a revelation.

"It soon became evident that the one characteristic they all have in common is an extraordinary resilience. Even with the finest technical skills, without this tenacity they simply would never progress," says Hebblethwaite.

The exhibition features a number of things to do including digital interactives, a Virtual Reality simulator and of course, an amazing Springfree Trampoline.

It is open every day, 10am to 5pm, and entry to the exhibition is included in the Museum's general admission fees.