IWI CULTURAL CENTRES - PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
These notes provide a structure for developing a proposal for a tribal cultural
centre, whare taonga, archives centre or similar development. Not all sections
will necessarily be relevant to a particular case. The proposal can be used as
background for funding applications, as presentation material to gather support
and as the basis for a formal feasibility study. Proposals are flexible – they can
and will change as circumstances alter.
1.
SUMMARY
What’s it all about? Summarise briefly who you are, what you want to do and how
you propose going about it.
2.
BACKGROUND
2.1 Iwi/hapu/whanau
 Who are you? A bit about your Iwi/Hapu/Whanau, their history, rohe,
takiwa, marae, activities, priorities and aims.
2.2 Arts, Culture & Heritage
 What do you want? Outline your current activities and future needs in arts,
culture and heritage, your objectives and vision – what you want to achieve
through this proposal. What are the kaupapa and kawa?
3.
NEEDS

4.
Where do you start? Break down your needs into a specific series of areas
to explore or steps you could take to achieve what you want.
ISSUES
List the issues that will need to be resolved before detailed planning for a
cultural centre can proceed.
You may need to discuss, and make decisions on, issues such as:
 Governance – who will take overall responsibility?
 Policies – how will you do things?
 Staffing – what will you need – paid or volunteer?
 Training – what new skills will you need?
 Collecting – what will you collect or display?, what policies will you need?
 Site – where will it be?, do you need to buy land?, outside influences?
 Feasibility – will you need a feasibility study to test your proposal? The
feasibility study, if favourable, provides the basis for detailed planning for
the Centre, including an architect’s brief, plans and building specifications,
as well as for fundraising and stakeholder relationships. If not favourable, it
provides a basis for rethinking your ideas.1
1
National Services Te Paerangi, 2006. Feasibility Studies. He Rauemi Resource Guides: 30. Wellington, Museum of New Zealand Te
Papa Tongarewa. 12 pp. www.tepapa.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/E9041467-D431-4561-B41B-C4D761271F77/0/Feasability.pdf
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5.
SUPPORTING PROJECTS & RELATIONSHIPS
List the people and organisations you have, or will need, relationships with in
order to support your project, for example your own iwi runanga and komiti,
kaumatua, Ministry for Culture & Heritage, Te Waka Toi, Te Papa Tongarewa
National Services Te Paerangi, Museums Aotearoa, National Library Te Puna
Matauranga, Lottery Grants Board, Te Maori Manaaki Taonga Trust, the
National Digital Forum, local museums, territorial local authorities (particularly
the one where the Centre will be sited).
Who will support your training requirements? For example, iwi wananga, Te
Paerangi, Massey University, the National Library’s National Preservation
Office, the Alexander Turnbull Library’s Oral History Programme, individual
museum conservators with skills in Maori material.
What other projects are you involved in that will support this one or provide
relevant skills?
6.
PROPOSAL
A detailed but concise statement of what your Centre will do and what physical
buildings or spaces you will need. You will probably need specialist advice for
particular functions, for example, whare taonga (museum adviser),
performance space (sports/recreation adviser).
Include a table setting out your requirements in terms of individual spaces,
functions and floor areas. It is important to be clear on the amount of space
you will need. The size and purpose of the building will determine its design
and cost.
7.
COSTS
7.1 Capital Costs
Estimate the cost of your building either on the total area (for museum-style
facilities, around $3000 - $5000 per square metre) or, if you have prepared
sketch plans and a preliminary brief, you could get a quantity surveyor’s
estimate. Include the cost of land, landscaping, parking provision and
architect’s fees.
This will be an expensive development, which you may not be able to fund on
your own. The project may, however, bring benefits to the wider regional
community and it is therefore reasonable to expect significant interest (and
buy-in) from various community groups and stakeholders. As well as soliciting
grants and donations, you could explore joint venture partnerships with
stakeholders such as territorial local authorities to assist with resourcing and
funding.
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7.2 Operational Costs
You need to be realistic about the running costs of the building . You may also
need professional staff to operate the building and programmes. Maintenance,
depreciation, rates, power, communications, administration, collection care,
exhibitions and salaries will be ongoing costs for which you must have a
source of income.
8.
FEASIBILITY STUDY
You are now ready to undertake a feasibility study to assess the proposed Centre.
This study should be carried out by independent consultants from the museum,
tourism and /or business sectors. You will need to brief them clearly and be
prepared to work closely with them to provide the information they need. The study
might address some or all of the following issues:
1. Assessment and evaluation of existing examples of Iwi Cultural Centres,
including overseas models;
2. Assessment and evaluation of existing tourism and cultural facilities within the
region, which could have an impact on the proposal;
3. Consultation with whanau, hapu and iwi;
4. Relationships with stakeholders at local, national and, in some cases,
international levels;
5. Appropriate governance structures, policies, staffing levels and training
provisions;
6. Appropriate policies to guide the operation of the Centre, in particular, policies
relating to Collecting, Collection Management, Intellectual Property,
Confidentiality and Access;
7. Requirements of a safe storage facility, including building design, climate
control, lighting, display facilities, fire safety and security;
8. Likely capital costs, including land purchase, construction, fit out and exhibition
development;
9. Likely operating costs, including building maintenance, depreciation, occupancy
costs, administration, collection care, exhibitions and salaries;
10. Potential capital funding sources, including donations and grants;
11. Potential ongoing operational funding sources, including retail and food outlets,
with a relevant Business Plan;
12. Evaluation of possible sites and purchase costs, and identification of the
favoured site;
13. Assessment and evaluation of the tourism potential and financial viability of your
project if it might cater for local and international visitors;
14. Review and revision of your existing Arts, Culture and Cultural Heritage
Strategic Plan (if you have one).
For a major project you might need a range of expertise, broken down into the
following, or similar, components:
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1.
Museum
consultant
2.
Museum
consultant
+
I/H/W staff
Financial
consultant
Tourism consultant
3.
4.
Elaboration of proposal - governance, policies, site
options, building requirements, preliminary architect's
brief, quantity surveyor's estimate, capital and
operational costs, funding sources.
Assessment and evaluation of existing cultural centre
models, consultation within [Iwi/Hapu/Whanau],
stakeholder communication and relationships.
Business and/or fundraising plan.
Evaluation of existing tourism facilities in region;
evaluation and potential of your proposal; funding
sources.
Possible funding sources to help cover the cost of a feasibility study include a
Lottery Grants Board Environment & Heritage Committee grant of up to $5000.
Additional funding for aspects of the study may be available from NZ Trade &
Enterprise,2 and the Ministry of Tourism.3
John Coster
Heritage Management Consultant
29 Thorn Road
Lower Kaimai, R.D.1
TAURANGA 3171
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64-7-5433-229
Mobile: +64-274-760-817
Fax:
+64-7-5433-872
E-mail:
Coster@xtra.co.nz
2
www.nzte.govt.nz/
www.tourism.govt.nz/index.html
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