An audio slideshow about some of the volunteers who help restore the old planes at Motat, created by photographer Jason Oxenham.

Even though the trams at Motat move slowly, David Kannu's patter motors on like the tracks are never-ending.

He's constantly ticking and the stories the customer services host tells make him one of the museum's star attractions.

``The zoo has their animals, but we, the staff, are the animals at Motat,'' Mr Kannu, who has been a part-time staff member for more than six years, says.

``You have to be doing things all the time and making the artifacts come to life for children, because they are deeply intelligent creatures.''

His philosophy is simple children are the leaders of tomorrow and all have an inherent desire to learn.

Mr Kannu endeavours to make each visitor's experience as meaningful as possible, by learning the history and stories behind each artifact.

It is this hands-on approach to exploring the Museum of Transport and Technology which Mr Kannu says makes Motat stand out as a destination.

``Museums that say, `Do not touch' don't get that feeling. ``You have to be able to connect with people and leave an impression.''

And he knows how to reel an audience in.

Walking through the Last Tram exhibition, Mr Kannu relays information about Auckland's post-war society.

He talks and talks and all of a sudden, Queen St in the 1950s has come alive.

To add to the Last Tram experience, children can even buy sweets in a themed lolly store, which is a replica of the post-war era.

The passionate historian and educator also volunteers at Motat for one day each month.

``This way I get to focus on learning about artifacts and stories that I want, instead of being told where to go and what to do,'' he says.

On his volunteer days he can be found wandering between the various exhibitions, or researching future educational projects, such as the supercity exhibition which runs until the end of this month. Mr Kannu carries his love for history and artifacts into his home life.

His Mt Albert dwelling is a 1946 original state house it too has a story.

He recounts a lively tale of how war veterans were given government houses as a way to thank the regiments for their service to their country.

And it is the remaining war veterans who also share Mr Kannu's view of Motat needing to be a place where artifacts come alive.

Each Wednesday a dedicated group of friends meet at the museum as part of the Save Our Airforce Heritage Association.

There they work to fix up rusting aeroplanes so that visitors can see how the machines function and hear the men's stories. Veteran Norm McKelbey says:

``Once you've been around the museum twice you think: `Oh well, I won't come back for five years now'.

``But if we can make an aeroplane and its functions work, then we can create something enjoyable for visitors to watch and it also becomes an education.''

It is this philosophy which makes working at Motat, according to Mr Kannu and Mr McKelbey, more than just a job.

- © Fairfax NZ News