ABOUT US

Auckland War Memorial Museum is New Zealands first museum. Established in 1852 in a two-room farm cottage in the central Auckland suburb of Grafton, Auckland Museum is recognised as holding nationally and internationally significant collections.

The Museum tells the story of New Zealand, its place in the Pacific and its people. The Museum is a war memorial for the province of Auckland and holds one of New Zealands top three heritage libraries. It has pre-eminent Maori and Pacific collections, significant natural history resources and major social and military history collections, as well as decorative arts and pictorial collections.

The Museum is home to millions of objects, provides educational services to over 60,000 school children annually and is one of New Zealands most popular man-made tourist attractions with around half a million visitors every year.

Over 100 full-time and 200 volunteers help maintain the Museum and its very special collections. The Museum is lead by director Dr Vanda Vitali, who is supported by a management executive team.

HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM

Auckland War Memorial Museum is situated in the Auckland Domain on the hill known by Maori as 'Pukekawa'. It has occupied this site since 1929 when subscriptions raised by Aucklanders in remembrance of their war dead, enabled the construction of what is considered one of New Zealand’s finest heritage buildings. To this day, Auckland Museum is a touchstone of remembrance for all who wish to honour their loved ones and fallen comrades.

CORPORATE INFORMATION

We introduce you to our Key People, read about the Auckland War Memorial Museum Act 1996, review our Governance Policies, get involved with the Annual Plan & Report and suppliers can refer to the Conditions of Purchase.

NEWS

All of the recent press releases can be found here and are fully downloadable.

SPONSORSHIP & SUPPORT

The Museum receives no annual funding from central government, but does generate its own revenue to supplement the council levies. The Museum also receives generous support from corporate sponsors, charitable trusts and private individuals:

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CAREERS

Set yourself up for a rewarding career in the cultural sector. There are many roles behind the scenes at Auckland museum, as well as a broad range of career opportunities - whether support or professional, part-time or full-time, volunteer or salaried. View what's currently available.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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The Objectives of the Museum

To record and present the history and environment of the Auckland Region, New Zealand, the South Pacific and, in more general terms, the rest of the world;

To conserve the heritage of the Museum and its global resources;

To continue to perform the role of the Museum as a war memorial;

To celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Auckland Region and its people;

To provide education which involves and entertains people to enrich their lives and promote the wellbeing of society;

To ensure the advancement and promotion of cultural and scientific scholarship and research;

To ensure customer satisfaction by consultation, responsiveness and continuous improvement;

To provide leadership through professionalism, innovation, and coordination of effort with relevant organisations;

To deliver greater financial self-sufficiency through the prudent operation of compatible revenue producing and fundraising activities, which supplement public funding;