Major gifts
Our major benefactors work in partnership with Te Papa to achieve transformational change – from capital projects, major exhibitions, publications and significant bodies of research.
Leave a gift in your will
A gift in your will is a powerful way to ensure the stories, taonga, knowledge, and creativity that define Aotearoa New Zealand continue to inspire future generations.
Why leave a gift to Te Papa Foundation?
A gift in your will allows you to become part of Te Papa's story and help shape what future generations will discover, learn, and treasure.
Legacy gifts help Te Papa care for nationally significant collections, protect and preserve taonga, create exhibitions, support research, and provide learning opportunities for people across Aotearoa New Zealand. They ensure that the museum can continue serving as a trusted guardian of our shared heritage for generations to come.
Whether your gift is large or modest, it will contribute to the long-term impact of New Zealand's national museum.
What kinds of gifts can I leave?
You may choose to leave:
A fixed sum of money
A percentage of your estate
The remainder, or a share of the remainder, of your estate after other gifts have been made
A specific item, such as an artwork, collection, taonga, or other object
Most legacy gifts are financial contributions that provide flexible support where it is needed most. Others choose to leave significant objects or collections that may contribute to Te Papa's role as guardian of the national collection.
Thinking about leaving an artwork, taonga, collection, or object?
We encourage you to speak with us before finalising your plans.
Not every item can be accepted into Te Papa's collections. All proposed acquisitions are assessed against the museum's collecting priorities and acquisition policies. An early conversation helps us understand your wishes and provide guidance about whether an item is likely to be accepted, how it might be cared for, and what alternative options may be available if it is not suitable for the national collection.
Any discussions are confidential and non-binding.
How to include Te Papa Foundation in your will
Speak with your solicitor or professional will-writer.
Tell them you would like to leave a gift to Te Papa Foundation, whether that is a financial gift, a specific item, or a share of your estate.
If you wish, let us know about your plans. We would welcome the opportunity to thank you, answer any questions, and understand the areas of Te Papa that are most meaningful to you.
If you wish, you can use EveryWill to write a free will:
Suggested wording
You may wish to use wording such as:
"I give the sum of $[amount] to Te Papa Foundation, Wellington, to be used for its general charitable purposes."
If you would like your gift to support a particular area of Te Papa's work, such as conservation, exhibitions, collections, research, or education, please describe your wishes in clear terms and discuss the wording with your solicitor or will-writer.
What happens when Te Papa receives a legacy gift?
We follow careful and transparent processes to ensure all gifts are managed responsibly and used in ways that support Te Papa's mission.
Financial gifts are applied in accordance with the donor's wishes wherever possible and help strengthen Te Papa's work for future generations.
If a gift includes an artwork, collection, taonga, or other object, Te Papa will work with the executor of the estate to assess whether it can be accepted into the collection. Early conversations during estate planning can help provide clarity about likely outcomes and reduce uncertainty for families and executors.
Throughout the process, we aim to be respectful, transparent, and easy to work with.
Privacy and flexibility
Your will is personal and can be updated at any time.
You are welcome to keep your plans private or to share them with us. If you choose to tell us about your intentions, we will treat that information confidentially and use it only to ensure we understand your wishes and can thank you appropriately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to leave a large gift to make a difference?
No. Every gift matters.
Whether large or modest, a legacy gift combines with the generosity of others to create lasting impact for Te Papa and the people it serves. Over time, gifts of all sizes help support research, learning, collections care, conservation, and public access.
Who will look after my gift?
Te Papa has established policies and specialist teams that guide how gifts are accepted, managed, and used.
If your gift includes an object or collection, it will be assessed against the museum's collecting priorities and acquisition criteria. We will communicate openly with you or your estate representatives about the outcome.
Should I tell Te Papa if I have included a gift in my will?
There is no obligation to do so.
Many people choose to let us know because it gives us an opportunity to thank them and better understand their wishes. If you are considering leaving an artwork, collection, taonga, or other object, we strongly encourage a conversation before your plans are finalised.
We'd be pleased to talk with you
Considering a gift in your will is an important and personal decision.
If you would like a confidential conversation about your wishes, or to discuss how your legacy could make a difference at Te Papa, please contact:
Rebecca Galloway
Foundation Manager
Email: rebecca.galloway@tepapa.govt.nz
Phone: 021 401 907
You might also like
Make a donation
Donate to a campaign or make a one-off contribution of any amount.
Donate from abroad
Help share Aotearoa New Zealand's stories with the world.
Whether you are a New Zealander living overseas, have a connection to Aotearoa, or simply believe in the power of museums to inspire and educate, your support helps Te Papa care for the treasures, stories, and knowledge that belong to all New Zealanders. Find out more about international giving.