Every gift, no matter the size, is a contribution of exceptional value to the generations that follow us.
Auckland Museum is a registered charity that relies on funding from a wide range of sources, including the generosity of bequestors.
Remembering Auckland Museum by leaving a gift in your Will is a generous way to contribute to the Museum’s future. Your gift, large or small, will enrich the lives of future generations by ensuring that they can enjoy all that you love and value at Auckland Museum today.
As a registered charity, the Museum is built on the generosity of many. The gifts we receive enable us to fund research projects, develop educational programmes, revitalise engagement and enhance innovation, care for our collections and maintain our iconic heritage building.
Since opening our doors as Auckland War Memorial Museum in 1929, we have been guardians of more than 6 million taonga (treasures) and have served as a place to reflect and remember those lost at war, making the ultimate sacrifice.
You can now write your Will online for free, through our trusted partner, Footprint.
Footprint is New Zealand's largest online Will provider, supporting kiwis to protect their whānau and their assets. It only takes on average 15 minutes to complete your Will on their solicitor-approved platform. All Wills are reviewed by professional Will drafters and are legally valid, giving you the peace of mind that your story is told the right way.
Write your Will for free today.
Please note, while Auckland Museum has partnered with Footprint, we do not take responsibility for the Will platform’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Auckland Museum will not share any personal information with Footprint (or any of our service provider partners) without your express consent.
Leaving a gift in your Will to Auckland Museum is a big decision, and we appreciate that you will want to take time to think it through and share your thoughts with your family.
Each person’s circumstance is unique. It is important that the gift you leave is right for you. If we can be of any assistance at all, please reach out by filling in our enquiry form and we will be in contact with you.
Stories from our community of givers
By remembering the Museum in your Will, you’ll join a community of people who have and still are, positively shaping the future of Auckland Museum.
David Reeves - Tumu Whakaere Chief Executive of Auckland Museum - shares why he plans to leave a gift to the Museum in his Will, and his views on why these generous gifts are so important to continuing the broad and varied work of the Museum.
The Museum holds many personal memories for Marguerite.
"I have been a donor and a volunteer for many years and being the last to carry my family's name, I wanted to give something back to the city that has given so much to me (great life, great health, great community). I could not find anywhere better than supporting the Institution that has been the background of my family so that this Museum can meet the needs of the next generation."
Guy is proud to contribute to the Museum’s future and enjoys giving back to a charity that is close to his heart.
“I am very keen to leave a gift in my Will because my family are all well provided for, and I don't have children. I thought it would just be great to do something for Auckland Museum because of my passion and connection”.
We deeply appreciate anyone who considers leaving us a gift in their will.
Thank you for considering a gift today.
Things to consider
We're here to answer any questions you may have. If your question is not answered here, please contact us.
It is easy to make a Will. It only takes on average 15 minutes to complete your Will for free using our trusted partner, Footprint. Click here to complete your free Will.
Your Will, Your Wishes
Your Will is a unique and clear record of the way in which you want your possessions, property and money (your estate) to be distributed when you die.
A signed and correctly-worded Will brings peace of mind as you know that you have remembered your loved ones, as well as the charities you choose to support.
As a Will is a legal document, we recommend that you consult your legal advisor to ensure your wishes are clearly and correctly recorded.
Should you wish to leave an unrestricted gift, there are a variety of options available to you, as follows:
Residuary – the remainder of your estate after your other beneficiaries have been settled
Percentage – of the value of your estate
Pecuniary – a specific sum of money
Specified – a particular item such as property or objects.
Should you wish to gift a particular item to the Museum, we encourage you to share this with Jane Sheetz (click here to contact her) or the relevant curator first.
Suggested wording for your Will
To ensure your wishes are met, your intention to leave a gift to the Museum should be worded clearly within your Will.
We suggest you use the following format:
“I give to the Auckland Museum Trust Board, the Domain, Auckland, the sum of $………. (or percentage of my estate, or the remainder of my estate, or a description of assets or property) for its general purposes, for which the receipt of the Director or other proper officer shall be full and sufficient discharge for my trustees.”
Charities Commission Number CC11225
Should you wish your legacy to benefit a specific purpose or wish to gift a particular object to the Museum, we encourage you to share this with Jane Sheetz (click here to contact her) or the relevant curator first. This will ensure that we will be able to adhere to your wishes so that they align with the Museum’s Collections policy.
Altering your Will could be as simple as including an update or codicil. We strongly recommend that you discuss your plans with your immediate family and seek advice from a legal advisor when updating your Will.
The Museum is built on the generosity of many. As a registered charity, the support we receive from people just like you enables us to give more back to our community and realise the Museum's future vision.
Governed by a Trust Board created under an act of parliament in 1996, the Museum receives no funding from central Government. Instead, we are funded by Auckland ratepayers and from revenue generated by the Museum itself, such as donations and gifts and Wills. We also receive generous support from corporate sponsors, charitable trusts and private individuals.
I give to the Auckland Museum Trust Board (CC11225), the Domain, Auckland, …… percent of my estate (or the sum of $........, or the remainder of my estate, or a description of assets or property) for its general purposes, for which the receipt of the Director or other proper officer shall be full and sufficient discharge for my trustees.
Wills are very personal documents.
There are many ways to include Auckland Museum in your Will. The gift that will be of greatest benefit to your Museum is a Residual Gift, or a percentage of your Estate.
A Residual Gift comes from what is left in your Estate after you have taken care of your loved ones. You can give the whole of the residual, or a percentage of it, to a person or charity, like Auckland Museum.
A Pecuniary Gift is a specific sum of money.
A Specified Gift is a particular item(s) of value (shares, a car, a collection of some kind).
Footprint is New Zealand's leading online Will provider. Auckland Museum is proud to partner with Footprint to offer you a free Will. You can start creating your Will for free now by clicking here
While you don't need to let us know if you're leaving us a gift, we would like to be able to thank you personally, and acknowledge your generosity.
It would be a privilege for us to share with you how your future gift will impact future generations to come. It also helps us plan our future programmes.
Thank you for your interest in supporting the Museum in this way. Click here to view more information about the things we collect, and how the process works.
For enquiries about setting up a future gift or advising us on a bequest from an Estate, contact our Donor Development Executive, Sue Morse, directly via:
Phone: (09) 306 7088 ext 7289 or 021 280 6244
Email: smorse@aucklandmuseum.com
The Museum is built on the generosity of many. As a registered charity, the support we receive from people just like you enables us to give more back to our community and realise the Museum's future vision.
Governed by a Trust Board created under an Act of Parliament in 1996, the Museum receives no funding from central Government. Instead, we are funded by Auckland ratepayers and from revenue generated by the Museum itself, such as donations and gifts and Wills. We also receive generous support from corporate sponsors, charitable trusts and private individuals.