With the arrival of European setters to New Zealand in the 19th Century, travel by water eventually began to give way to travelling by land. Walking trails became cart tracks that became roads as a succession of different road transport opportunities opened up.
Road transport is one of MOTAT's largest collections; it includes horse-drawn vehicles, road building vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles, commercial vehicles, and a large number of other automobiles. The collection highlights the development of the road vehicle from the horse-drawn cart to the modern automobile and tells the story of New Zealand's passion for the private car. It also includes numerous other items such as cutaway engines, tools, petrol pumps and car parts.
Examples of the collection are placed throughout the site in the Depot, Motor Garage, Energiser Building and Road Transport Workshop.
Please note: The Road Transport Workshop working days are Thursdays and Sundays.
