Brave Hearts – the New Zealand Cardiac Story is an acclaimed mobile, interactive exhibition developed by the Auckland Medical Museum Trust (AMMT). Interactive displays, objects and photographs tell stories of the pioneering team of cardiac clinicians and the bravery of patients who underwent new lifesaving cardiac procedures. The exhibition explains how the heart works, how we investigate heart disease, how we can prevent heart disease and the largely untold story of New Zealand’s leading international role in the evolution of heart surgery.

Brave Hearts – the New Zealand Cardiac Story opened at MOTAT in 2017 and since then has travelled to communities in nine different geographical areas in the North Island, spending several months in each place. Since July 2019 the exhibition has been located at AUT South Campus where it continues to be visited by a number of South Auckland schools and other groups by appointment.

At each host site there has been huge public interest and excellent collaboration with local stakeholders, health professionals, community groups and many others. Collaborations, along with effective marketing, and the involvement of volunteers has ensured public awareness and excellent visitor numbers. Overall visitor numbers since August 2017 exceed 103,000 including 2,800 school children participating in the education programme aligned to the content of the exhibition.