Motat recognized for clever use of Te Reo Maori

Motat was awarded the prize for Most Innovative Use of Te Reo Maori at last night's ceremony for its most recent exhibition, Welcome to the Machine. Photo / Getty Images

An Auckland museum's clever use of te reo has seen it receive top honours at the ServiceIQ 2015 New Zealand Museum Awards in Dunedin.

The Museum of Transport and Technology (Motat) was awarded the prize for Most Innovative Use of Te Reo Maori at last night's ceremony for its most recent exhibition, Welcome to the Machine.

The interactive exhibition aims to educate tamariki about fundamental physical properties, which are represented by six different machines.

The exhibition has a strong bicultural narrative and the machines are explained in te reo Maori alongside clear interpretive diagrams.

It was the first exhibition to deal with these technical concepts in te reo Maori, the museum believed.

"The challenge was to create clear explanations in language that would communicate with all ages," Piripi Walker, Maori translator for the exhibition, said.

"Motat was highly professional, they pulled together a team that ensured the Maori language text met the highest standard of accuracy and good communication."

Motat chief executive Michael Frawley called the win "a vote of confidence".

"This award is an amazing vote of confidence in the Motat team and what we are doing at the museum," he said.

"We are honoured to receive it."