NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM PROPOSAL
Any project that is destined to become a national icon certainly takes a lot of careful
planning and discussion. The past eight years have been spent formulating the 'plan of attack'
for the National Motorcycle Museum of New Zealand, with many motorcycle enthusiasts
being targeted for their opinions. Land in the Bell Block area was designated by the
New Plymouth District Council for the original feasibility study, and following meetings
with the project architects, Boon Goldsmith Architects Ltd, conceptual drawings of
the initially proposed six million dollar project were produced.
Unfortunately major fundraising efforts to raise the money necessary for the on-going
development of the project were stymied, and the establishment of the Museum in it's
original format had to be abandoned.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
The National Motorcycle Museum of New Zealand Project Team is currently investigating a site
for the establishment of the museum.
The 'new' project site will be a superior home for the NMMNZ. It will be larger than was
originally available, future expansion space is readily available, and most importantly it
will be on one level.
Purpose-built for the museum, the building will be designed in an industrial style.
It will have a mainly open space floor area of a minimum of 1200 square metres.
Modern museums require a certain comfort level, plus all the necessary public
health, security and ambience pre-requisites.
Very much a necessity to support modern tourist attractions, a café bar facility will be
included and operated as an independent business.
THE NEW ZEALAND MOTORCYCLING HALL OF FAME
Notwithstanding the actual motorcycle displays, the NEW ZEALAND MOTORCYCLING
HALL OF FAME will be one of the foremost displays created. It will feature an initiated
number of famous New Zealand motorcycling identities as established by the Board of Trustees.
Ultimately the "Hall of Fame" will feature individual displays of it's 'Members' including
bronze busts and their personal motorcycles.
DISPLAY AREAS - As well as the static displays of motorcycles and motorcycling
memorabilia, there will also be non-static features. These will include such things as a
functional workshop scene (restoration work being carried out 'live'). There will also be
motorcycling theme scenes created using state of the art audio/visual effects along with the
motorcycles eg beachracing, dragracing, motocross, grand prix etc. Special promotions from
oil companies, other museums, motorcycle clubs etc will be utilised. Specific display areas
will be set aside for private and corporate investment eg "TRIUMPH Hall of
British Motorcycling"
STOCK - Until such time as the museum is in a financial position to purchase stock ie
motorcycles for display, we will be relying on owners to gift their motorcycle/memorabilia to
the museum or place their machines in it 'on-loan'.
The motorcycles/memorabilia can be:
• On loan temporarily from individuals, businesses, motorcycling organisations, clubs or other
museums. Six months would probably be the minimum loan period.
• On loan permanently but always retained in trust for any of the above bodies.
• Gifted to the museum (in this case there would be a guarantee that the motorcycle/memorabilia
would always remain with the museum). The legal implications of the above are being
researched.
Regardless of the limited public knowledge about the National Motorcycle Museum of
New Zealand Project, some members of the motorcycling fraternity have already been
in contact with regard to placing their motorcycle/s in the museum once it is completed.
All motorcycles/memorabilia pledged to the museum will be of immense assistance when
applying for funding and/or corporate investment.
Also included in the National Motorcycle Museum of New Zealand will be:
"ARTISTRY IN IRON" - Any persuasion of motorcycling art including photographic
displays, paintings and custom motorcycles will be exhibited.
LIBRARY/ARCHIVES - A comprehensive library and archive will be established for all to
access. State of the art computer facilities will be used to store information gathered from
research undertaken throughout the world. Questionnaires will also be compiled for visitors
and contributors to the museum.
Oral history recordings and photographic work will be an urgent consideration before the
well-known and more colourful motorcycling identities in New Zealand pass away.
The opportunity for network marketing, information data bases, and educational projects,
in association with the other New Zealand attractions and educational bases eg Te Papa,
Puke Ariki, MOTAT, libraries, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Tawhiti Museum and Dairyland,
will enable historic collections, art, books, and information to be displayed/stored in
the correct manner.
EDUCATION CENTRE
"Education is an integral part of a successful museum and arguably its means of survival
into the next century"
The National Motorcycle Museum of New Zealand will automatically become a must for
school visits. The World Class display of motorcycles and memorabilia, including
the "Made in Taranaki" Hall, will be of immense educational interest.
The road safety displays and publications will enable children to gain a better understanding
about the dangers of using the road, with particular emphasis on driver education and
motorcycle awareness. The assistance of the police and the Police Museum will be sought in
producing this display.
With state of the art computer information, audio-visual, hands on displays and
simulator rides, and children's unashamed passion for motorcycles, family group participation
is assured.
"MUM'S TOY MUSEUM" will be another attraction to be included in the museum complex
with private collections already committed.
CAFE BAR
If the National Motorcycle Museum of New Zealand project is successfully established the
KICKSTART Café@Bar will be incorporated within the museum.
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
Correspondence with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Management Consultants, Christchurch,
formulated what was required for a technical feasibility study.
It was then noted that Deloitte's had carried out the 'Taranaki Museum and New Plymouth
District Library Business Case Report' for the New Plymouth District Council for the
establishment of the Puke Ariki Project. A copy of the Deloitte 'feasibility study'
was obtained, and the National Motorcycle Museum of New Zealand (NMMNZ) proposal was
aligned to excerpts from it.
Deloitte's comments are noted first.
1. Executive Summary
"Museums and Libraries are essential components of a district's infrastructure and play a
major role in making places attractive to live in and visit" - The establishment of the
NMMNZ in New Plymouth will create a unique attraction in New Zealand.
"Both (museum/library) generate significant visitor traffic and play key roles as anchors to
a vibrant CBD" - The establishment of the NMMNZ will enhance other major
cultural icons in the New Plymouth District including Puke Ariki, the TSB Showplace,
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and the Historic White Hart Hotel.
"The economic impact assessment indicates that ..... the existing Museum and Library make
a significant contribution to the district's economy through employment and locally-sourced
expenditures" - The establishment of NMMNZ will involve local tradesmen and materials.
Employment opportunities will be there from the beginning and grow.
"The economic impact assessment indicates that ..... there are benefits for tourism as new
facilities increase the attractiveness of New Plymouth as a destination" -
The NMMNZ will be a brand new attraction in New Zealand. It is not as big as MONZ Te
Papa, but ultimately with further expansion, it could be far more appealing. From
conversations with visitors to S.E. Asia, the populace there are motorcycle crazy, and the
rich ones own Harleys. BUT, the world is our oyster.
"In addition to economic benefits ......... the Council will have a facility which will increase
opportunities for marketing the city to potential visitors and encouraging economic
development" - As stated above.
2. Infrastructure Improvement
"In New Zealand many local authorities have recognised that certain facilities are a major
requirement if the city is to compete for both domestic and international visitors. Those cities
which have invested in attractions are seen as leaders in their particular field" -
"Come to Life New Plymouth" - No-one else has the National Motorcycle Museum of
New Zealand in their city - it will be a 'lone headlight on full beam' to motorcyclists
world-wide.
3. The (Taranaki) Museum as an Information Source
"It will achieve this by providing ...Taranaki's major archive and records centre of primary
historic information - an identification service - major collections - conservation advice -
information and displays - access for study - use of new technology" -
The NMMNZ will be serve New Zealand's needs in all of the above.
4. The (Taranaki) Museum as a Recreation Facility
"It will achieve this by providing ..... Exhibitions and public programmes for recreation and
leisure use ..... interactive presentations ..... visitors with an appreciation of the history" .....
The NMMNZ will embody all the requisites, and more, expected of a 'modern' attraction.
5. The (Taranaki) Museum as a Commercial Opportunity
"It will achieve this by providing ..... high quality souvenirs and publications .... public access
for purchase of photos and images .....commercial use of collection... cafe or restaurant
facilities/host functions...." - Once the NMMNZ is established, the motorcycle and memorabilia
displays will be foremost in New Zealand, and on a par with anything else in the world,
including the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, England, which I have visited -
excellent, but typically staid.
6. The (Taranaki) Museum as an Advocate for Heritage as a Custodial of Heritage Collections
"It will achieve this by providing ..... treasure house of the province .... facilities for
preservation ..... professional advice and supply service - adding to and refining" -
The NMMNZ will become THE major archive for motorcycling history in New Zealand.
One form of archival research that can be improved nationally is photographic and oral
records. These will be actively pursued in unison.
