Museums Aotearoa calls for museums and galleries to remain free and safe spaces for all

Museums Aotearoa is emphasising the need for museums and galleries to remain freely accessible, safe spaces for everyone following a vandalism incident at Christchurch’s Te Papa last week.

At midday last Monday (11th December), members of protest group Te Waka Hourua entered level 4 of the nation’s national museum and damaged a wooden display panel depicting the English version of the Treaty of Waitang (te Tiriti o Waitangi), using spray paint and an angle grinder.

The protest action has raised questions about how the group was able to enter the building and deface the exhibit without being stopped by security or other museum staff.

Noting that while protest is a healthy part of democracy, there is no excuse for vandalism, Museums Aotearoa Chief Executive, Adele Fitzpatrick stated “there are many strongly held opinions about how history and stories are presented in Aotearoa’s museums and galleries - and that’s the point.

“Exhibitions should stimulate learning, discussion and debate.”

Affirming museums and galleries as essential, safe and welcoming spaces in New Zealand’s communities, Fitzpatrick noted “it’s important we find a balance between security measures that protect our visitors, staff and exhibitions while preserving museums as places of freedom.”

Expressing the association’s belief that museums and galleries must be funded properly and sustainably by central government, Fitzpatrick noted “the challenge is ensuring museums and galleries are funded in a sustainable way to allow for exhibitions to evolve along with our views on historical events.”

Adding that any changes to security measures at museums and galleries must not detract from staff wages or exhibition or educational budgets, she concluded “the sector cannot absorb these additional costs.”

Image: The the Treaty of Waitang (te Tiriti o Waitangi). Credit: Te Papa.