By Mary Afemata, for Local Democracy Reporting
Auckland War Memorial Museum sits atop Pukekawa in the Auckland Domain, but reaching the museum remains a challenge for residents who rely on public transport. Photo: Supplied/ Auckland Council
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.
Auckland Museum chief executive David Reeves 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.
Manukau Ward councillor Alf Filipaina Photo: LDR
Manukau Ward councillor Alf Filipaina said while he was pleased the museum had reopened, he wanted 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 said. "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 said cheap buses that travelled 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 said accessibility to the museum remained a concern, particularly for older people.
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Apulu Reece Autagavaia Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council
"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 said.
He said the local board's trial bus trips had 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 said the shared experience mattered: "Going as a group is important. The stories that were shared afterwards, after they had gone to the museum, those are valuable as well."
Visitors returned to Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum following the reopening of its historic Grand Foyer after months of safety work. Photo: Supplied via Local Democracy Reporting
A spokesperson from the Auckland Museum said there were several public transport options available to reach the museum, including the InnerLink and OuterLink buses, which stopped within a five-minute walk, and nearby train stations at Parnell, Grafton and Newmarket. The museum acknowledged that its location within the Domain could pose challenges for some visitors, as many routes required walking through the park.
Auckland Transport's 781 route was modified to stop at the museum, linking Newmarket Station with the Domain.
The museum said it welcomed any opportunities to strengthen public transport connections, particularly from South Auckland.
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 said Māori and Pacific taonga featured throughout other exhibitions, and community engagement continued through initiatives such as the new Pacific e-newsletter Le Moana Post and outreach education programmes across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Auckland Transport service change planning manager Dave Hilson said there were 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.
"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 said most South Auckland visitors would need to transfer at Newmarket, though integrated fares mean no extra cost.
Alf Filipaina said access challenges highlighted 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 said.
"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 said 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 said. "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.
