The proposed Mackenzie Heritage Centre started as one individual’s dream to establish and operate a visitor experience to share the many and remarkable stories of the Mackenzie region. The project took place between 2002 and 2006. The proposed opening date was 2007.
The project was planned on the basis that minimal objects would be used in the Centre’s development. Rather than being a place of things (i.e., collection items), this would be a place of stories built around a few key items.
Capital/start-up costs:
About $14 million, to be sourced mainly through central and local government, philanthropists, sponsorship through one key corporate, donations from key individuals in the wider local community.
Proposed annual operating budget:
About $1.1 million after year 5, with an income of $2.1 million sourced mainly through admission charges (estimated $18 per adult entry and 75,000–150,000 visitors per annum).
Advice for those planning a new museum
This project did not proceed. Malcolm Anderson, now director of Interpretation New Zealand, took over the management of the project for a charitable trust in its second year of planning. He noted that the key learnings about planning a new museum for those involved included:
- employ full-time independent professional advice early on
- develop the conceptual stories as the key to a successful visitor experience prior to design of the building
- develop a comprehensive brief for the architect based on the above
- never let architects design their own brief
- secure a core major funder before proceeding beyond high level concepts
- communicate with tourism industry early on
- develop professional approach (brand etc) in all communications
- network with potential funders and supporters as much as possible
- check and recheck all assumptions, reports, plans etc
- beware the politics of corporate and both Local and Central Government agencies.