Feathers for Hawke’s Bay

Published: 29 June 2024

Last Updated: 6 August 2024

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Museum Research and Archive Centre is currently being built in Hastings CBD to store the collection of art and artefacts people will have seen on display at MTG Hawke’s Bay.

The new building will be the future home for over 90,000 regional treasures and taonga collected over the past 160 years, with some items more than 500 years old.

At the heart of this endeavour is the symbolism of the huia bird, whose feathers will adorn the building, representing unity and preservation of cultural heritage.

The collection, valued at nearly $30 million, had been temporarily housed in the National Tobacco Building in Ahuriri. This sparked the formation of the Joint Working Group (JWG) in 2018, comprising representatives from the Napier City Council (NCC), Hastings District Council (HDC), Ngāti Kahungunu and the Museums Trust, to find a suitable, permanent solution.

Fundraising is pivotal in this build and the strategy for the project is multi-faceted, involving significant contributions from various sources. Central to the financial foundation are the substantial grants secured from Lotteries, the Crown, and the Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, totalling $14.79 million. Both the Hastings and Napier Councils have contributed financially, underscoring the collaborative nature of this venture.

A critical component of the fundraising is the commitment from the Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust and the MTG FOundation to raise an additional $1 million. This goal is encapsulated in the “Feathers for Hawke’s Bay” initiative, where a $10,000 donation allows individuals, corporations, and community groups to have their name engraved on one of the 80 huia feathers that will cloak the new building.

Jeanette Kelly, Chair of the MTG Foundation, emphasises the importance of community involvement in the project. The Foundation, which operates alongside the Museums Trust, is dedicated to securing funds for new acquisitions and enhancing the collection. By engaging with patrons through events and talks, the Foundation aims to foster a deeper connection with the community and garner support for the project, the Hawke’s Bay collection and the arts in general.

Despite the challenges posed by Cyclone Gabrielle, which significantly impacted the region and highlighted the need for safe storage for the collection, the project has gained momentum. The councils’ unwavering support and the success in securing initial funding have set a strong foundation, but the community’s participation is crucial to fully realise the vision.

This will be an iconic building for Hastings and the campaign not only seeks to fund the physical construction of the building but also to imbue it with cultural and symbolic significance. The huia feather cloak, an emblem of protection and unity, will serve as a beacon of cultural preservation and a testament to the collaborative spirit of Hawke’s Bay. As the fundraising efforts gain traction, the Hastings Cultural Precinct is poised to become a landmark of historical and cultural significance, safeguarding the region’s treasures for generations to come.

How You Can Help
The official fundraising campaign is in full swing. Everyone in Hawke’s Bay can be part of history in the making by helping us protect our 90,000+ regional treasures for generations to come.

• Name your own feather by visiting www.feathersforhb.co.nz
• Make a donation towards collective feathers www.givealittle.co.nz
• Follow us on socials and help share the campaign even further. You may even see some familiar local faces in our “What’s Your Treasure” videos. Instagram @themtgfoundation Facebook, search “The MTG Foundation”

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