Te Papa is under strain due to rising costs and building maintenance. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
Te Papa Tongarewa has announced plans for a two stage restructure in an effort to cut costs at the national museum.
Last year Te Papa started charging international visitors to the site due to rising costs of energy, insurance and staffing.
Te Papa co-leaders chief executive Courtney Johnston and Kaihautū Dr Arapata Hakiwai said the review would allow the museum to ensure financial sustainability now and in the future.
"Rising costs and maintenance of our specialist buildings have put a strain on our cash reserves.
"As kaitiaki of the national museum, we've made significant operational savings and increases to our revenue, but we need to do more."
The restructure review would be carried out in two stages, with the first phase completed this year and focused on "tier two and three" managers.
Phase two would occur early next year and would centre on the rest of the Te Papa team.
Final decisions on both proposed phases would be implemented in April next year.
Te Papa would still continue to operate for visitors as usual, and entry to Te Papa would remain free for New Zealanders and residents of New Zealand.
The museum co-leaders said existing work programmes - such as the repatriation of kōiwi tangata and kōimi tangata, their strategic, founding, and long-term partnerships, and work with iwi and Mana Whenua - would also remain unchanged.
"Our commitment is to make this process as transparent as we can and respect the needs and mana of our people."
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