The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa) is a Crown entity established under the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Act 1992.
Under the Crown Entities Act 2004, the governing Board of Te Papa is categorised as a statutory entity, being a body corporate established under its own Act. As a statutory entity, Te Papa is classed as an Autonomous Crown Entity (ACE), and must have regard to government policy when directed to by its responsible Minister.
Under the Crown Entities Act 2004, the responsible Minister, the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, appoints members of the Board. Members are accountable to the responsible Minister.
The Board’s authority and accountability is based on three key documents:
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Act specifies the Museum’s functions and the matters it is required to take into account in performing these functions.
Te Papa’s Statement of Intent, produced annually, sets out its strategic objectives over a three-year period, and includes, in the Statement of Objectives, the specific goals and performance targets required to meet these objectives.
The Board has an annual agreement with the Responsible Minister that sets out Government’s expectations of Te Papa.
The Board reports to Government on the Museum’s performance in its Annual Report, using the Statement of Intent as a measure.
The Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage is the Right Honourable Helen Clark and the Associate Minister is the Honourable Judith Tizard.
For further information, see the New Zealand Government website.
Te Papa’s Board comprises the following eight members: