By PHILIP ENGLISH
Auckland Museum trust board members have decided to keep the institution's cash desks open all day to increase income from its entry-by-donation scheme.
Since the controversial scheme was introduced in January last year, visitor numbers have failed to meet targets. The museum has also failed to reach a $1 million target for income from admissions.
However, trust board members yesterday voted to retain the scheme, removing the last opportunity for adults and tertiary students to gain free access to the museum.
They decided to keep the museum cash desks open from 10 am to 5 pm, halting free entry after 3.30 for tertiary students and free entry for adults after 4.
Over one year, the museum could gain about $40,000 from the policy - or about $24,000 after taking collection costs into account.
The decisions will come into force next year after a period for public comment in the museum annual plan process.
The scheme has the backing of Auckland local bodies.
Figures showed that in the year to June 30 the scheme netted the museum $660,568 from 428,688 visitors. The target was 740,000 visitors producing a net income of more than $1 million.
The target for the year ending June 30 next year is 520,610 visitors and a net income of $1,075,000.
To achieve the $1 million-plus target, the museum is pegging its hopes on visitors handing over more at the cash desks. At present, in spite of the suggested donation of $5, the average is $4.
Factions on the board provoked tense debate at the meeting.
Some members complained of a lack of information in the report recommending that the scheme be continued. The report was described as "pleading" rather than objective.
When board chairman Bruce Anderson remarked that speakers against the scheme had not contributed to a "philosophical debate," member John Coster interjected, saying there had been no time. Mr Anderson had called for a brief debate, he said.
Mr Anderson ruled that he would continue uninterrupted.
Gordon Ell proposed, unsuccessfully, that the museum should have regular free days, such as the first or fourth Sunday of every month.
Museum polling had shown nearly 30 per cent of Aucklanders were unhappy about the entry-by-donation scheme.
Opponents of the scheme called it humiliating, demeaning and embarrassing for those who did not want to pay the donation.
Rudman's city: Museum clicks up profits while visitors walk
Museum free time curtailed
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.