"So many people admire it and have their photo taken with it. It really belongs in Whanganui - it's made by an award-winning local artist out of local driftwood," Ms Garland said.
The aim is to raise $5000 by the end of November through public donations.
Mike Dickison, curator of natural history at the museum, said the museum was interested in the driftwood moa because the moa is an important part of Whanganui's history.
"This particular species of moa was found in Whanganui, and we know that because its bones were found in the Makirikiri swamp," he said.
"When the museum re-opens at Queens Park it will have the largest collection of moa bones in the world."
Mr Dickison said museum staff had worked with Mr Marsden Mayer to ensure his moa was anatomically correct and was in a true moa pose.
If enough money is raised for the moa, it will be moved to a new location outside the museum at Queens Park.
To donate please visit https://givealittle.co.nz/project/keepthemoa, or call into the Museum on Ridgway (62 Ridgway St) to make a donation.