Te Papa announces organisation-wide review to secure financial sustainability

Te Papa announced today it is carrying out an organisational review proposed to restructure its teams, positions, and reporting lines. Te Papa Co-Leaders Chief Executive Courtney Johnston and Kaihautū Dr Arapata Hakiwai said the review would allow Te Papa to ensure financial sustainability now and in the future.

“Our focus is on securing our financial future. Rising costs and maintenance of our specialist buildings have put a strain on our cash reserves. As kaitiaki of the national museum, we’ve made significant operational savings and increases to our revenue, but we need to do more. This review seeks to create enduring financial sustainability so we can continue to deliver on our cultural and legislative mandate for generations to come”.

Te Papa will continue to operate for visitors as usual, and entry to Te Papa will remain free for New Zealanders and residents of New Zealand.

Existing work programmes – such as the repatriation of kōiwi tangata and kōimi tangata, our strategic, founding, and long-term partnerships, and work with iwi and Mana Whenua – will also remain unchanged.

“By adjusting the way we organise our teams, we can create efficiencies and new ways of working,” the Co-Leaders said.

“Our commitment is to make this process as transparent as we can and respect the needs and mana of our people.”

The organisational review is proposed to be carried out in two phases. Phase One completed in 2025 would be focused on managers at tier two and three. Phase Two occurring in early 2026 would be focused on the rest of Te Papa. Final decisions of both proposed phases would be implemented in April 2026.

Media contact: Kate Camp kate.camp@tepapa.govt.nz, 029 601 0180.