For lengthy periods of its near 150-year history, the Auckland Museum has been allowed to languish. The inspiration of its founders and the majesty of its location were ill-served by people who showed little imagination and even less vision when in charge of its destiny. Thus, the undoubted riches of the museum's exhibits eventually came to play second fiddle to criticism focusing on an old-fashioned approach and general dinginess.
That tide began to turn late last year with the completion of the $43 million first stage of its redevelopment. The museum's galleries were redesigned and the building restored and seismic-strengthened. No new amenities were provided, however. Now, bold and visionary plans which would conclude the modernisation of the museum have been unveiled.
The completion project includes new exhibition and storage space, a theatre, underground parking and access to views from the museum's roof. Its realisation depends, however, on the Government's stumping up the $46.5 million cost over three years. Support of that magnitude would be a first.
In 1994, a myopic National Government came up with a miserly $14 million towards the $43 million first-stage redevelopment. Auckland local authorities and museum fundraising had to provide the bulk of the money. Now, the museum trust hopes for a better reception from a Government which has shown itself to be of rather more charitable disposition towards the country's heritage and arts. But procuring the money depends on the Government's buying its line that the museum is a national, not just a regional, institution.
There is an impressive array of artefacts to support that contention - so much so that the museum justly claims that, by virtue of history and location, it has a comparatively greater concentration of important collections than any other New Zealand museum.
It is famed, for instance, for its trove of Maori and Pacific treasures and its military collection. It is difficult to argue that these do not give the museum a national significance. Yet many articles of national significance are deteriorating in inadequate storage facilities.
Much-needed storage space is included in the completion project's imaginative use of a 1800 sq m courtyard left virtually undeveloped in an addition done in 1960. The infill of the courtyard would incorporate two basement levels and three above-ground levels, including a large exhibition gallery. This would allow a far more expansive display of the museum's treasures, only a fraction of which can be viewed now. There will also be a rooftop restaurant under a low dome and a rooftop events and garden view.
All this is intended to put paid to the museum's dowdy image. The first-stage refurbishment began this process, using modern, sometimes interactive, display techniques. It has hardly hindered the museum's cause that the revamp won a national architecture award for "creative reinvention" and a regional heritage and conservation award.
However, the true measure of success lies in visitor numbers. Those numbers have made depressing reading since entry by donation was introduced last year. That scheme was begun because the $7.5 million the museum receives annually from Auckland ratepayers was no longer adequate for funding research, publishing and special exhibitions. The refurbishment has proved no panacea to the fall-off in visitors, although the museum claimed in mid-year that attendance figures were improving.
The importance of the completion project lies in the provision of new amenities. New refreshment and hospitality areas will replace the present cramped facilities. Parking will be far easier. These improvements, as much as the richness of the exhibits, will encourage visits, extend stays and stimulate spending.
That, of course, represents another reason for the Government to look benignly upon the museum's request for funding. The museum has staggered along on regional finance. But a severely restricted budget has forced it to take unpopular steps. The treasures of the Auckland Museum are part of the history of all New Zealanders. Government funding would recognise that - and give the museum the chance to stand on its own feet for the foreseeable future.
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War Memorial Museum Completion Project
<i>Editorial:</i> Auckland Museum deserves money from state
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