MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT AND TECHNOLOGY

Michael Frawley is the Director/Chief Executive of the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) located in the Western Springs, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. MOTAT is the largest science and technology museum in Aotearoa.

Michael Frawley is of Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāpuhi descent and a qualified lawyer. He began his role at MOTAT in 2013 and has used his 25 years of business restructuring, strategic development and cultural change experience to develop and implement MOTAT’s Vision, Values and Strategy to achieve the objectives outlined in the MOTAT Act.

Michael works closely with the Museum’s Board, General Managers and the MOTAT Team (i.e., employees and volunteers) to ensure that the past, present, and future technology and ingenuity of Aotearoa is used to educate and inspire the next generation of innovators and that te reo, te ao and mātauranga Māori is woven into everything the Museum does.

Michael was the first recipient of the Te Mētara Moerua Nātanhira (medal) in 2022 which recognises individuals who accomplish unity for the greater good of Ngāti Maniapoto.

About MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT AND TECHNOLOGY

The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), which is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest science and technology museum, has two sites in the picturesque Western Springs in Auckland, interconnected by a heritage tramway.

MOTAT uses the past, present and future technology and ingenuity of Aotearoa to educate and inspire the next generation of innovators. This approach is reflected in the whakataukī/Māori proverbs Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua [I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past] and Hāpaitia te ara tika puma ai te rangatiratanga mō ngā uri whakatipu [Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations].

The Museum has an extensive science and technology collection including an impressive display of rare aircraft, locomotives and road transport vehicles that reflect the technological evolution of Aotearoa as well as the latest prototypes that highlight the pathway to the future, especially in relation to sustainability.

MOTAT attracts circa 280,000 visitors per annum (pre-Covid), 89% of which are culturally diverse families with children under the age of 16. It also provides onsite education programmes to 25,000 students per annum and a wide range of collection and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) based outreach programmes in the Auckland region.

To learn more about MOTAT clink on the following links:

All photos courtesy of the MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT AND TECHNOLOGY

Chief Executive/Museum Director: Michael Frawley

About MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT AND TECHNOLOGY