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The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) in Auckland is on track to a stronger future after Auckland Council backed a new direction proposed by the museum.
On Thursday, the Value for Money Committee agreed to adopt MOTAT into the Auckland Council Group as a new business unit of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU).
Although subject to due diligence and a final decision by Auckland Council, the proposed integration aims to strengthen MOTAT’s long-term sustainability.
This aim would look to enhance the experience for visitors, support future investment, increase operational efficiency and enable more collaboration across Auckland’s cultural institutions.
Auckland Council says the arrangement would be similar to the current model for Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland Zoo and New Zealand Maritime Museum.
Value for Money Committee chair and TAU lead councillor Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says the request to redirect MOTAT’s future had unanimous support from both boards.
“I have been a fierce advocate for our cultural institutions, and my vision for Auckland to be the best arts and culture city in the southern hemisphere.
“It would be a great outcome, with due diligence completed, to welcome MOTAT into the Auckland Council Group to both strengthen its proud history and protect it for the future, while delivering greater value for Aucklanders and visitors,” Simpson says.
For MOTAT’s Craig Hickman-Goodall, the decision is a careful step toward resolving some long-standing challenges.
“We want to maximise the number of visitors who come to our museum and enhance the incredible experience we offer.
“MOTAT has been an important part of Auckland’s cultural landscape for more than 60 years, preserving and sharing Aotearoa New Zealand’s nationally important transport, technology and innovation stories,” Hickman-Goodall says.
TAU chief executive Nick Hill says the decision reflects a shared commitment to strengthen Auckland’s cultural sector.
“I see this as a positive gear-change for MOTAT, a future new business unit of TAU and an important part of Auckland’s cultural ecosystem,” Hill says.
The decision comes after numerous reviews since 2009, relatively static visitor numbers, increasing reliance on council funding and the need for significant future capital investment.
Around 86 per cent of MOTAT’s annual revenue is funded by council through a statutory levy totaling $20.4 million, with a legal obligation to support MOTAT for as much as $35 million under the MOTAT Act 2000.
The next steps are to begin a due diligence process and MOTAT and TAU to prepare an integration plan, with the support of Auckland Council.
