Auckland Museum reopens but transport issues remain for some

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum reopened its 1929 Grand Foyer and seven galleries earlier this month after a five-month closure for asbestos remediation.

Labour Weekend drew hundreds of visitors for tours, performances and family events. Admission remains free, but the Māori Court and Pacific Galleries are still closed for refurbishment.

David Reeves, the museum’s chief executive, says the reopening is “a major milestone” and encouraged more people to visit.

However, South Auckland leaders say travel to the museum remains a barrier.

Alf Filipaina, Manukau Ward councillor, says while he is pleased the museum has reopened, he wants the museum to work with Auckland Transport (AT) and local boards to help families from the south visit.

“It’s hard to get to the museum on public transport from South Auckland,” he says. “You can get part of the way on the train at Manukau, but then you have to find your way to the Domain. It can take three or four buses to get to town.”

He says cheap buses that travel direct should be looked at.

Buses in place

The Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board have funded bus trips to the museum.

Re-elected board member Apulu Reece Autagavaia says accessibility to the museum remains a concern, particularly for older people.

“The train station is quite far away and the bus as well. That’s one of the reasons why we funded this bus tour, to get our older people who might not have gone because of those accessibility issues,” he says.

He says the local board’s trial bus trips have worked.

“What we’ve heard from the museum is that it’s been a really good success. Our community love it. They’ve seen the impact that it’s had, and those are the discussions we can continue. How can we work with Auckland Transport? How can we fund more regular services?”

Apulu says the shared experience matters. “Going as a group is important. The stories that were shared afterwards, after they had gone to the museum, those are valuable as well.”

A spokesperson from the Auckland Museum says there are several public transport options available to reach the museum, including the InnerLink and OuterLink buses, which stop within a five-minute walk, and nearby train stations at Parnell, Grafton and Newmarket. The museum acknowledges that its location within the Domain can pose challenges for some visitors, as many routes require walking through the park.

Auckland Transport’s 781 route was modified to stop at the museum, linking Newmarket Station with the Domain.

The museum says it welcomes any opportunities to strengthen public transport connections, particularly from South Auckland.

Apulu Reece Autagavaia says accessibility to the museum remains a concern, particularly for older people. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

It currently works with South Auckland local boards and the 360 Tautua Trust to run bespoke Pasifika senior tours using chartered transport, and is open to expanding this partnership model.

While the Māori Court and Pacific Galleries remain closed, the museum says Māori and Pacific taonga feature throughout other exhibitions, and community engagement continues through initiatives such as the new Pacific e-newsletter Le Moana Post and outreach education programmes across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Dave Hilson, transport service change planning manager for AT, says there are no current plans to improve public transport access to the museum. “AT currently has one bus route, the 781, which goes into the Auckland Domain and stops at the museum,” he says.

“Given the narrow roads through the Domain and low demand for trips to the museum, we wouldn’t look to operate additional routes at this time.”

Hilson says most South Auckland visitors would need to transfer at Newmarket, though integrated fares mean no extra cost.

Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina says that cheap buses that travel directly to the Auckland Museum should be looked at. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

The South Auckland museum that almost was

Alf Filipaina says access challenges highlight the need to revive plans for a South Auckland museum.

“I was part of the working group that had representatives from Te Papa and the government looking at a space,” he says.

“It nearly got there, but the funding was withdrawn. We were close to having a place that could highlight our Pasifika, Māori and other cultures, and store artefacts because Te Papa and Auckland Museum are running out of space.”

Apulu Reece Autagavaia says Te Papa had plans for a National Centre for Collections, Learning and Exhibitions at Hayman Park before government funding was pulled.

“I’m hoping those plans can be resurrected someday by future governments,” Apulu says. “We were so close before, and it needs to be looked at again.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.