Auckland Museum's south entrance refurbished to reflect heritage, history

Monday, 30 November 2020

An inside look at the Auckland Museum's new South Atrium and new added features. Video first published November 2020.

A refurbished south entrance to Auckland Museum, marking the most significant change to the building in over a decade, will open on Thursday.

Te Ao Mārama has endured 18 months of works that have transformed the museum’s back door into a 'cultural arrival”.

The area is decorated with Māori and Pacific Island artwork, and has been reworked to honour the heritage and history of the land.

Auckland War Memorial Museum has refurbished its South Atrium entrance to symbolise the history and heritage of the area.

Auckland War Memorial Museum chief executive Dr David Gaimster said the project aimed to give 'greater cultural dignity” to the building.

Dr David Gaimster, chief executive of Auckland War Memorial Museum, says the “back door” has been transformed into a “visually stunning museum arrival”.

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Tanoa / Pasifika bowl has been improved architecturally, and cultural art is scattered around the precinct.

“What felt very much like the back door of a public building now provides a visually stunning museum arrival, entry and orientation experience with world-class hospitality and retail,” he said.

The design was intended to be deeply respectful of the building’s heritage, and has taken 18 months to complete.

“For the first time, the museum has two compelling and distinctive entry experiences, one acknowledging our rich history and global heritage, and the other celebrating our place in the culture and cultures of 21st century Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa.'

Auckland Museum worked with iwi and Pacific communities in Auckland to create a space for pōwhiri, whakatau and other cultural celebrations, events and research.

A series of projects to transform the museum have been in progress since 2013, and are expected to be completed by 2021.

The Tanoa / Pasifika bowl has been expanded, and artwork by Māori and Pacific Island artists is scattered around the precinct.

Gaimster said the original vision for the south atrium, when it was renovated in 2006, has now been realised.

“The full reveal of the Tanoa bowl architecture and the new mana whenua and Pasifika artworks and audio-visual experiences have converted the space into a rich architectural and cultural gallery in its own right,” he said.

“The design is deeply respectful of the building’s heritage, while integrating innovative bicultural concepts that deepen visitors’ engagement with the collections, the building, and the stories the museum tells.'

A new museum store, bistro and café Tuitui, and a kai room for guests who choose to self-cater on their visit, have been introduced.

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum has been working on a series of visitor transformation projects since 2013 to ensure the museum is a place fit for an evolving city and its people.

“The development is the result of years of careful planning to respond to a growing Auckland and the needs of our visitors. The reality was that at peak periods, the museum was operating at capacity and struggling to accommodate our growing visitor numbers,” Gaimster said.

'We are confident that the transformation will both surprise and delight Aucklanders and visitors to the city.'