A stronger model proposed for MOTAT’s future

The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) in Tāmaki Makaurau is on track to a stronger future after Auckland Council today backed a new direction, requested by the museum.

Subject to due diligence and a final decision by Auckland Council, the Value for Money Committee today agreed in principle to integrate MOTAT into the Auckland Council Group as a new business unit of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.

The proposed integration aims to strengthen MOTAT’s long-term sustainability by enhancing the experience for visitors, supporting future investment, increasing operational efficiency and enabling more collaboration across Auckland’s network of cultural institutions. The arrangement would be similar to the current model for Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland Zoo and New Zealand Maritime Museum.

Integrating MOTAT into the council group will also help achieve better outcomes from existing council funding. The preferred model is that MOTAT activities are delivered through long-term plan funding, not as an additional cost.

Value for Money Committee Chair, Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, is lead councillor for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) and is focused on strengthening Auckland’s arts and culture sector.

“This request for a new model for MOTAT’s future had the unanimous support of both the MOTAT and TAU boards, and the support of the MOTAT Society which originally established the museum,” says Deputy Mayor Simpson.

“I have been a fierce advocate for our cultural institutions, and my vision is 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.”

For MOTAT Chief Executive and Museum Director, Craig Hickman-Goodall, today’s committee decision is a careful step toward resolving some long-standing challenges.

“MOTAT has been a strong driver of the move to a staged integration, which we believe will lift our financial performance and support future investment. We want to maximise the number of visitors who come to our museum and enhance the incredible experience we offer,” says Mr Hickman-Goodall.

“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, aviation and innovation stories. 

“MOTAT has an extraordinary team of staff and volunteers supporting the high-quality experiences we’re known for, among them the Aviation Hall, award-winning Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre and our very popular trams and technology in action experiences. Our people, the MOTAT Society, mana whenua and partner agencies will continue to play an important role as the integration progresses.”

The committee’s agreement to pursue integration was well-received by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill.

“Today’s decision reflects a shared commitment to strengthen Auckland’s cultural sector and deliver greater value for Aucklanders. We’ve worked closely with MOTAT for many years, and there’s real opportunity to build on that relationship and support its long-term future,” says Mr Hill.

“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.”

TAU and MOTAT have worked closely for many years and the boards of both entities separately resolved to explore integration. The integration proposes to preserve MOTAT’s distinctive identity, collections, volunteer base and purpose.

Today’s agreement comes after numerous reviews conducted since 2009, a picture of relatively static visitor numbers, increasing reliance on council funding and the need for significant future capital investment.

The council currently provides around 86 per cent of MOTAT’s annual revenue 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 include commencing a due diligence process and MOTAT and TAU preparing an integration plan, with the support of Auckland Council

More detail from the Value for Money Committee item can be found here.

About MOTAT

• MOTAT opened in 1964 and has a collection of over 300,000 items.
• It’s one of Auckland’s most significant cultural institutions, attracting around 270,000 entry fee paying visitors annually.
• The two connected sites at 805 Great North Rd and 98 Motions Rd cover almost 14 hectares; both are owned or controlled by TAU and Auckland Council.
• MOTAT operates as an independent statutory trust governed by the Museum of Transport and Technology Act 2000 with a board of 10 members (six board members are appointed by Auckland Council).
• It’s sited in Te Wai Ōrea (Western Springs) precinct, alongside Auckland Zoo and the Western Springs Bowl outdoor concert, festival and sports venue.
• MOTAT employs approximately 123 full-time equivalent employees and is supported by around 200 volunteers.
• The MOTAT Society has about 150 members and currently appoints four members of the MOTAT Board under the MOTAT Act.

Read this and other stories on OurAuckland

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