Two months after the doors closed due to Covid-19, the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira opened its doors to the public yesterday morning.
A karakia, initiated by Precious Clark, Chairwoman of Taumata-a-iwi — the Museum's Trust Board — welcomed visitors back after the longest forced closure in its history. It was a joyful atmosphere, despite the sombre, rain-sodden skies.
The 1918 pandemic had shut the doors, but for less than a month from November 3 to December 1, and it was another month before normal attendance resumed.
![Trust board Taumata-a-iwi's chairwoman Precious Clark begins the karakia to reopen the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira. Photo / Michael Craig](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/R25LI4Z2FHKCHUF3QKCGTUIAFA.jpg?auth=46bd12cbc325b32307631ee9d0b385c41c22a4dac3a50b7d642930f1d5510b95&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
"By 10am there was a good stream of people with lots of families excited to get back in," a spokeswoman for the museum said. "We're really pleased with the response."