Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum will tell the story of an evolving Auckland with the help of funding from the Lottery Grants Board Significant Projects Fund.
The $4.5 million grant will enable work to start on a new permanent interactive gallery that will tell the stories of Tāmaki Makaurau – past, present and future.
The gallery, with the working title Tāmaki Stories, will not only present information on the history of the region but will also ask visitors to contribute to the narrative in what will become a barometer for the views and expressions of all Aucklanders.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says, “With the help of the Lotteries Board we can tell the story of Auckland through the individuals who live in this city, past and present.
“The stories will reflect a city which has grown and evolved, with a rich diversity of people who have come from all over the world to call Tāmaki Makaurau their home and to help build a world-class city."
Auckland Museum Chief Executive Dr David Gaimster says the new gallery will play an important role in delivering on Auckland Council’s goals for the future of the city.
“Auckland Council has set out an aspirational vision for our region through its Auckland Plan 2050, with inclusivity and belonging for all Aucklanders woven through its fabric,” says Dr Gaimster.
“Tāmaki Stories will not only tell the museum’s story of our city, but will also act as a ‘weather station’ for the future, enabling Aucklanders and visitors to interrogate new research about the evolution of Tāmaki Makaurau.
“Thanks to this vital Lottery Grants funding, we are pleased to take the next step in delivering on the council’s vision and playing our part to make Auckland a more inclusive, world-class city.”
The funding bolsters a strong capital campaign programme from the museum, which operates on a partnership model with funds raised from trusts and foundations, gifts from individuals and sponsorship from businesses.
The permanent Tāmaki Stories galleries will be a modular space where sections can be refreshed to reflect an evolving city story, while rich digital and interactive content will create an immersive experience.
Set to open in 2020 on the western side of the museum’s ground floor, Tāmaki Stories is part of a major, multi-year transformation programme to modernise galleries and public spaces, and changing the way the museum presents information.
The refreshed physical spaces will allow the museum to cater for increased visitation, with a goal of attracting 1.2 million visitors annually by 2022.
