We applaud the Kaipara District Council for being led by, and delivering for, community.

Well done to Jason Smith, Director at the Kauri Museum, for his work alongside community and the Kaipara District Council to deliver targeted rates for three museums in the district.

Museums and galleries are critical partners for councils. Our spaces connect communities, welcome tourists and showcase local histories and culture.

In fact, I'd say, the strength of the partnership between museums, galleries and councils is a key indicator of cohesion in our communities.

Councillors who support the arts understand that these institutions deliver considerable return on investment for education and tourism and anchor innovation and smart thinking in our regions.

Most of all, our museums and galleries look after our most valuable treasures for future generations to enjoy – a critical public service.

The just-announcedplan to support Mangawhai Museum, Matakohe’s Kauri Museum, and Dargaville Museum equally acknowledges the considerable return on investment these treasured places deliver for the Northland economy.

We know the Kauri Museum is the largest built visitor attraction north of Auckland. Jason and the team have welcomed more than two million visitors and brought considerable tourism dollars into the local economy. Moreover, for 60 years the team have demonstrated themselves to be trusted stewards of vast collections of taonga.

That value matters to community, who've told their local councillors as much.

It is active, community-led decisions like this that mean museums can continue to deliver for communities, even in the aftermath of cyclones, storms and road closures.

Sarah Maguire - Interim CE