Research
Services

Our collection is on the move

Nelson Provincial Museum is relocating its collections and research services from the Isel Park Research Facility to a new purpose-built storage and research centre in Richmond.

The Isel facility is no longer fit for purpose due to space constraints, building issues, and environmental instability. This move is an important step in upholding our responsibility as kaitiaki of the taonga and collection items in our care, helping to protect them now and for future


Important service changes during the move

As our team prepares, packs and relocates the collection, we will need to temporarily reduce some services to ensure everything is moved safely and with care.

The following services are now paused:

  • Public research access

  • Archive and collection access

  • Photo and image order services

  • Acceptance of new donations

Taonga Māori access: Access to taonga and loans remains available, although some items may not be immediately accessible during the move. The Museum will continue to assess found taonga Māori (Taonga Tūturu). Please contact hamuera.manihera@museumnp.org.nz 

These services are expected to be paused for approximately 12 months.

We understand this may cause some inconvenience and we appreciate your patience during this time.

Urgent requests and object donations

Urgent access requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. During the relocation, please email research@museumnp.org.nz. Please expect delays in response times.

If you are considering a donation, please contact us to discuss options for holding items until services resume, or we can provide guidance on interim arrangements.

What remains open

The following services remain available:

  • Collections Online (via website: collection.nelsonmuseum.co.nz)

  • The Museum on Trafalgar Street

  • Education programmes

  • Changing exhibitions


Urgent requests and object donations

Urgent access requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. During the relocation, please email: research@museumnp.org.nz. Please expect delays in our response times.

If you are considering a donation, please contact us to discuss options for holding items until we reopen, or we can provide guidance on interim arrangements.