Te Papa launches helpline to answer museums' questions

Te Papa museum has launched a helpline service for the museum sector in an effort to answer museum-specific questions such as how to store a korowai cloak or where to put that buzzy-bee.

The TelstraClear call-free helpline - the first of its kind in New Zealand - has been developed to improve access to information and advice to museums beyond the Wellington region.

The service will be managed by National Services Te Paerangi, a team within Te Papa and will be launched by the associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Judith Tizard tomorrow at Te Papa.

General manager of National Services Te Paerangi Tracy Puklowski said the group had about 450 museums on its radar and over 90 per cent of those organisations were smaller regional volunteer-staffed museums, operating on limited budgets.

"The implementation of the TelstraClear 0508 helpline service enables these organisations, and others in the museum sector, to contact National Services at any time during the week to discuss any issues they may have."

Director of South Canterbury Museum Philip Howe said the service would have far reaching benefits.

"The helpline will be of enormous benefit to museums of all sizes in New Zealand. For smaller museums, the phone line will act as a first port of call for assistance and advice on all matters relating to museum operation and activities."

TelstraClear chief executive Allan Freeth said the helpline would provide museums around the country with easily accessible advice and information.

- NZPA