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Ralph Corke, Visitor Experience Manager at Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), shares what the museum has scheduled for Auckland Pride Month, what he loves about Aotearoa’s queer community, and his excitement about entering Mr Bear New Zealand.

You’ve been in New Zealand for seven years now after leaving Brighton (England)’s sunny shores. What has surprised you about the country, and what has kept you here?

Most people have a similar, “I was only here for a six-month sabbatical” story. For me, it was my wairua (living soul) guiding me to stay. The spiritual wellbeing I’ve found in Aotearoa, along with the culture, work-life balance, and sense of peace, have been the biggest surprises. I’m also a sucker for a Kiwi accent!

As a gay man, do you feel any more or less accepted in Aotearoa than you did in the UK?

Coming from Brighton, the “gay capital” of the UK, there’s a noticeable difference in queer culture visibility in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). Brighton offers rich social groups, services, and queer nightlife (with a bar for every interest) – the exclusively musicals-only Bar Broadway being my regular. In Auckland, I’m content sneaking “Memories” from Cats onto the jukebox at Eagle Bar… Yes, that was me, killing the vibe!

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There’s a strong sense of hapori (community) here. In Brighton, I was part of one of seven gay choirs, but in Auckland, joining GALS choir felt like being welcomed into a whānau (family). Singing “Home” by Phillip Phillips, I knew this was now home. I also appreciate the activism here, which aligns with my values of standing up for what’s right.

Prior to your time at MOTAT, what do you consider to be your career highlights?

I trained in acting but spent most of my career in the operations side of live entertainment and events. I worked at Brighton Dome and Festival for five years, enjoying concerts like Haim, Dua Lipa, and Laurie Anderson’s concert for dogs.

In Aotearoa, I joined Auckland Theatre Company and loved working on shows like Shortland Street: The Musical! I still keep acting on the side, even making my NZ debut on Shorty – but no singing!

Ralph pictured in front of MOTAT’s Short Solent.

Tell us about your role as ‘Visitor Experience Manager’ at MOTAT and what it involves.

The shift from live entertainment to museums was a shock, and I joked in my interview that “transport and technology” weren’t really my passions. However, I’ve since become a tram spotter and now get excited every time I see the Steam Tram 100!

I manage the team behind MOTAT’s public events and school holiday experiences. Like live entertainment, it’s about storytelling – making the collection and science principles engaging for all visitors. My job satisfaction comes from seeing whānau connect with our events and create lasting memories. The tram knowledge I’ve gained is just a bonus!

MOTAT is an institution working hard to show its inclusive nature. You put on the ‘Love Is In The Air’ comedy show at last year’s festival and are following up with ‘Mile High Comedy Club’ this year. Why are inclusivity and diversity important values for MOTAT?

I was nervous about switching to museums from the theatre world – where your colleagues are more likely to need to come out as straight than gay. But MOTAT has been incredibly welcoming and inclusive. I’m part of MOTAT’s Rainbow Committee, which has worked closely with Pride Pledge to ensure both our team and visitors feel safe and supported.

MOTAT’s vision is to use the past, present, and future technology and ingenuity of Aotearoa to educate and inspire the innovators of tomorrow. Growing up under Section 28 in the UK, I lacked LGBTQ+ representation as the government banned the promotion of LGBTQI+ in education. The rainbow community has made significant contributions to science and entrepreneurship, from Alan Turing (English computer scientist) to Sally Ride (American physicist and astronaut). While we’re not a social history museum, it’s vital to share these stories and ensure diverse representation.

Tell us about the ‘Mile High Comedy Club’ coming up for Pride at MOTAT and some of the queer connections to MOTAT’s exhibitions that the night will be highlighting.

I wanted an event with an authentic link to Pride, so a comedy show featuring LGBTQ+ comedians in our stunning Aviation Hall seemed perfect. The brief loosely encourages jokes about transport and technology – I’m sure there will be a few about aeroplane food!

In celebration of the Auckland Pride Festival, guests can enjoy an Aviation Cocktail, explore the collection, and groove to DJ Throcat before the main event with our lineup of David Stuart, Janaye Henry, Abby Howells, and Eli Mathewson – all for just $20, cheaper than a flight to Invercargill!

The aviation industry has long been connected to the rainbow community. Living near Gatwick Airport, many of my friends were self-proclaimed “trolley dollies”. In February, we’ll showcase a rainbow of aviation uniforms in honour of that workforce.

We’re also highlighting the telephone exchange as a safe space for openly gay individuals and the history of rainbow support lines in our Telecoms exhibition.

MOTAT’s Mile High Comedy Club poster.

MOTAT did an amazing photoshoot with drag artists Hugo Grrrl and Medulla Oblongata. Tell us a bit about the shoot and readers’ chance to recreate it on the night.

We did the photoshoot in the Short Solent, the last of the Great Flying Boats, which holds a unique place in Aotearoa’s aviation history for flying the Coral Route across the South Pacific. The shoot with Medulla and Hugo was a blast – like an episode of Top Model, with plenty of cockpit puns.

At the Mile High Comedy Club, they’ll join us again for a green screen photoshoot where guests can choose from fun scenarios like a cocktail in the cockpit or “extra nuts” with the flight attendant – all with the Solent as a stunning backdrop.

Outside of work, I hear you are entering the Mr Bear NZ competition this year. What inspired you to do this?

I truly enjoy Bear Week – it’s always full of great events, and Mr Bear NZ is always a highlight. As someone who loves entertaining, the opportunity to shine in something sparkly while raising money for charity was a perfect fit for my alter ego, Thunder Bear! If I’m lucky enough to win, it would be an incredible honour to represent Aotearoa and our community.

MOTAT’s Mile High Comedy Club takes place on 12 February. Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm. $20 tickets available at MOTAT.nz.

You can support Ralph (or one of the other contestants) at Mr Bear New Zealand at Phoenix Cabaret on Friday, 7 February. Book free tickets at bearnewzealand.co.nz.

Follow Ralph’s journey on socials: @ralphcorke

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