Collections Management Policies for The Nelson Provincial Museum

The Museum Collection Accession Register includes:

1. Natural History (rock, mineral, animal and plant material)
2. Foreign Ethnology (Pacific, Asian, American, European, African)
3. Maori (Taonga Maori,N.Z. archaeological, textiles)
4. Archives and Library (manuscripts, books, maps, plans)
5. Art (paintings, drawings and prints)
6. Costume and Textiles (flags, clothing and accessories, household)
7. Photographic (negatives, prints transparencies, film, video, digital)
8. Domestic and Technical (household, implements, commerce, transport)
9. Loan Collections (loans to the museum)

The policies that apply to these collections are:

1. Donations and Acquisitions Policy
2. Documentation Policy
3. Loans Policy
4. De-accession and Disposal Policy
5. Storage Policy
6. Conservation Policy
7. Research Policy
8. Education Collection Policy
9. Access

For further information contact.

Donations and Acquisitions Policy

1. The Museum collects objects, scientific specimens, and printed and audio-visual media relating to the natural and human history of Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Maui (the top of the South Island), for the purposes of documentation, preservation, research, exhibition and interpretation.
2. The Collection will develop in an increasingly strategic manner through processes of accession and de-accession defined by the policies of the Museum.
3. Collection policies of other regional institutions will be considered when the addition and de-accession of items to the Museum Collection is being considered.
4. Items considered for purchase and the sources for funding of purchases may be presented to the Board by the Director.

The museum collects in the following order of priority:

1. A broad and representative sample of material directly related to the natural and cultural heritage of Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Maui and its inhabitants.
2. Material indirectly related to Te Tau Ihu O Te Waka a Maui.
3. Material useful for comparative research.
4. Material important because of its uniqueness or rarity.

The museum emphasises the collection of materials that:

1. Constitute a representative sample of a previously undocumented or inadequately recorded aspect of the heritage of Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Maui.
2. Are in danger of loss or destruction.
3. Are directly relevant to current research, exhibition or interpretation programmes.
4. Are well documented.

The Museum does not collect:

1. Items requiring significant conservation.
2. Superfluous duplicate items.
3. Items with unknown provenance.
4. Items with excessive loan conditions.
5. Items that are a risk to the collection or staff.
6. Items with a fraudulent, unethical or illegal background.
7. Items requiring storage and display facilities that the museum is unable to provide.