Collection Offer

Do you have something you think might be right for our collection?

Ngā mihi maioha. We appreciate the generosity of all potential donors. Collection offers to MOTAT must go through an approval process and need to fit in with our collection strategy and mission. For this reason, we can't accept all items offered to us. Read below about what we do and don't accept at present and how to connect with us.

OBJECT DONATIONS

Please note: MOTAT is not accepting donations of objects at present. We have a pause on collecting in place until July 2027 as we focus on our current collection and its cataloguing and care. We encourage you to check back in the future when our collection capacity has resumed.

If you choose to submit an online form for donating an object, please do not be offended if we do not reply. As our capacity to review object donation offers will be restricted during this period, we may not respond unless the object is of exceptional significance to our collection. If you have not heard from us within three months, please accept this as a decline. Thank you for your understanding.

Please do not bring in or send objects to MOTAT without arranging this in advance with a MOTAT representative.

ARCHIVAL MATERIAL DONATIONS

If you have archival material such as photographs, postcards or documents that you would like to donate to MOTAT, please fill in the form below.

HOW TO DONATE TO THE COLLECTION

So that we can determine whether MOTAT would make a good home for your item, you’ll need to send us as much information as you can via the collection offer form.

Before you complete the form, please be aware that:

• We don’t accept items on loan.

• We can’t accept items with specific conditions attached.

• We can’t accept hazardous items unless there are compelling reasons. Hazardous items include firearms, objects containing asbestos, and explosive, flammable, poisonous, mouldy, potentially carcinogenic or radioactive material.

• We don't accept items that are broken.
  

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR ITEM IS ACCEPTED

• You will be contacted by one of our Curators who will start the discussion about the significance of the item offered.

• A donation form will be prepared to legally transfer ownership of the item to MOTAT.

• After it is catalogued, an online record will be created.

• The item may be included in temporary exhibitions or loaned to other accredited institutions.

• It will be available for research by our curators and visitors.

WHY WE MIGHT SAY NO TO YOUR OFFER
We can’t take everything that is offered to us, so if we don’t accept your item, please don’t be offended. It may be for one of the following reasons:

• We already have a similar item in our collection.

• The item isn’t in good enough condition, is hazardous or is broken.

• There isn’t enough information about the history of the item.

• If your item is not suitable for our collection, we’ll try to advise you of another institution that may be interested.

Collection Offer Form

Please complete the form below:
Please use the owner's details if different from the enquirer.