About us / Mō mātou

Te Arawa kaitiaki

MEANZ is a membership organisation providing support and advocacy for educators working in museums, galleries and other related organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand. Established as an incorporated society in 1981 it is an independent advocate and consultative body for all issues relating to education in Museums. It is governed by an executive and council, who are elected volunteers that meet regularly and share the responsibility of coordinating the work of the organisation. MEANZ is funded primarily by membership subscriptions, and also occasionally receives support from partnerships sponsorships grants and donations.

Aims, goals and mission / Ngā whāinga

Our mission is to be the voice for museum and gallery educators in Aotearoa New Zealand, to raise the profile of museum and gallery education and increase the recognition given to museum educators, and public programmers, by promoting the vital role they play. 

MEANZ aims to promote:

• Education as a core function of museums, galleries and other learning centres
• The key role of museums in formal and informal learning
• The recognition of the professional role and status of education in museums
• The exchange of information, ideas, research and education initiatives relating to the practice of museum education

The goals of the organisation are:

• Professional development advocacy and support

MEANZ aims to provide a supportive professional network for its members, linking geographically dispersed museum and gallery educators within Aotearoa New Zealand. It is dedicated to increasing the professionalism and aiding the development of education practice within museums and galleries and other related organisations, by facilitating peer support and hosting training events, conferences and workshops. MEANZ aims to be an advocate for museum and gallery educators by representing them and their interests and liaising with external organisations.  

• Research and best practice in education

MEANZ aims to be an advocate for high quality teaching and learning in museums and galleries in Aotearoa New Zealand, by promoting best practice in museum education and contributing to discussion, debate and research in the field. By increasing awareness of advances in museum education practice globally, and by working in partnership with other national and international organisations MEANZ aims to contribute to the development of museum education practice in New Zealand.

• Bicultural education, access and inclusion

MEANZ respects and supports the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi. MEANZ aims to promote bicultural education in museums and galleries, and facilitate educators to deliver bicultural education programmes.

MEANZ aims to promote equality of access to education and works through its members to promote access to and understanding and enjoyment of the taonga, art, science, technology, natural and cultural heritage in museums, galleries and other related organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Life-long learning

MEANZ promotes life-long learning, through the work of its members. MEANZ supports the breadth of education and public programmes taking place in museums, galleries and other organisations, which encompass pre-school, school aged, youth, family and adult education programmes catering to a wide range of audience groups.

Children at the Govett Brewster Art Gallery New Plymouth

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