Auckland War Memorial Museum. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
An asbestos expert says there's no reason to panic after the toxic material was discovered in Auckland War Memorial Museum.
The museum was closed for the entire weekend while specialists remove asbestos discovered during renewal work.
The static dust was found in Te Marae Ātea Māori Court and the Pacific galleries during heritage work investigations.
More was found in the Grand Foyer after subsequent swab testing.
Jason Milner said a small amount of asbestos dust didn't necessarily mean a major exposure.
He said it was common for old buildings to have traces of asbestos.
In a statement the museum said given the Grand Foyer was a primary evacuation route, its closure meant the museum must establish alternative evacuation procedures.
"Buildings of the museum's age commonly contain historic building materials that include asbestos.
"As the building nears 100 years of age, there are several necessary heritage works underway to enable us to preserve it for future generations.
"It is through the preliminary investigations into these works that the asbestos was discovered."
The Auckland War Memorial Museum was built almost 100 years ago, when asbestos use was common in construction. Photo: Supplied/Alexander Turnbull Library
While the building was closed, the museum said it would review its fire evacuation procedures.
"Museum facilities will continue to be monitored by essential security and facilities management staff."
In a statement on its website the museum said it had been working under the guidance of a licenced asbestos assessor, monitoring the building's air quality and undertaking risk assessments daily.
Auckland deputy mayor Desley Simpson said the museum made the right move to close out of health and safety concerns after the asbestos was found.
Simpson said although everyone wanted it open, the wellbeing of the public was more important.
She said the use of asbestos wasn't uncommon in buildings constructed in the era the museum was, almost a century ago.
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