Be surrounded by the sights, sounds and stories of flight in New Zealand with Te Kōtiu.
From the migration of our native Kuaka, to celebrating the growing diversity within the aviation and space industries, Te Kōtiu (meaning to swoop) showcases key moments in aviation in Aotearoa with stunning immersive digital projection throughout the Aviation Hall.
See history come to life with bold balloonists, the glorious gliding of pioneer aviator George Bolt, and the extraordinary feats and records of leading Aotearoa aviators such as Jean Batten. Listen to inspiring messages from female trailblazers such as Air New Zealand pilots and aerospace start-up engineers.
Te Kōtiu conveys the motion of swooping, like the flight of a kite or glider and is the name of a North-West wind direction.
Featuring the digitised manu aute kite works of Aotearoa artist Nikau Hindin, Te Kōtiu will inspire the whole whānau with an exciting mix of video, animation, oral story-telling and soundscape.
See Te Kōtiu daily on the hour from 10:30am.
We recommend starting your journey at the Aviation Hall and enjoy the free heritage tram ride between both locations.