Milestone agreement for University of Auckland and Auckland War Memorial Museum

The rich legacy of research and other collaboration between The University of Auckland and Auckland War Memorial Museum has been strengthened by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the institutions.

The MoU is expected to produce an increased number of high quality research partnerships across natural sciences and human history and other projects of mutual interest.

The university and museum currently work together on numerous fronts – including marine research at the Leigh laboratory and interpretive centre, an archaeological dig at Mercury Island and the allocation of museum trust funding worth $30,000 in 2013 for Auckland University researchers to make use of the museum’s extensive library.

Professor Stuart McCutcheon, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Auckland, says: “The University of Auckland is always at the forefront of research and scholarship that makes an impact on the communities we serve and we are looking forward to collaborating further with the Museum. This MOU will further strengthen the strategic relationship between our two organisations and will also benefit Auckland and New Zealand.”

“Programmes will be enriched and the public better served through the research, scholarship and other benefits that will flow from increased collaboration with The University of Auckland,” the Director of Auckland Museum Roy Clare said.

“The museum’s internationally significant collections include many important Maori and Pacific taonga. Our team of expert curators is committed to work with others to lift our capacity as a place of learning and engagement, so we fulfill the ambitious goals of our recently-published 20 year strategy Future Museum and make a major contribution to the success of the Auckland Plan.

“Partnerships make museums stronger and we are keen that the Research Centre the museum is creating is well connected across the innovation sector. The University of Auckland is a wonderful addition to our network of partnerships.”

Established in 1886, The University of Auckland is New Zealand's largest and pre-eminent research-led university - with over 40,000 students and nearly 4700 international students from over 90 countries worldwide.

Auckland Museum traces its lineage to 1852 when it was established in a farm workers' cottage where Auckland University is now located. The fledgling museum attracted 708 visitors in its first year. In the 2011/12 year the museum hosted 849,000 visitors onsite, achieved 409,500 unique visits to its websites and grew its programme of community engagement.

The MoU was signed at Auckland Museum last night at an Auckland Museum Institute event which featured an address by visiting Sussex University science historian Jim Endersby.

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