17 May 2011

Borrowing material from New Zealand’s national collections is now set to become simpler than ever, with the launch of Te Papa’s new loans web page (www.tepapa.govt.nz/loans). The enhanced page, launched on International Museums Day (18 May) includes an online request form as well as a direct link to Te Papa’s Collections Online.

“We are always looking for ways to ensure that borrowing from our collections is as seamless as possible, and this page has been designed to do exactly that. Using our new page, you’ll be able to search Collections Online for the items you want for your exhibition and then send a request directly to our team.” said Jo Torr, Loans Manager at Te Papa. 

In the year to date, Te Papa has lent 3320 collection items far and wide. Material has been lent to museums, galleries, universities and research agencies from Auckland to Southland, and from the very large (the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History) to the very small (Kapiti’s Mahara Gallery). Te Papa has also lent material internationally to a wide range of countries, including the UK, US, Australia, Italy, France, Belgium, Poland and Japan.

 “Offering wider access to the national collections is a key direction of Te Papa’s new long-term strategy. This initiative is a very important step on that road”, said Michael Houlihan, CEO at Te Papa.

For further information, contact:

Roxan Mathys, Communications Assistant, 029 645 6370, 04 381 7083