Our Plans – Onze Visie

The Dutch Connection will be a museum centre that’s aligned with the national Strategy for the Museum Sector in New Zealand (2005).
Museums help people understand their world by using objects, ideas and art to interpret the past and present, and to explore the possible future… Museums are places where communities come together to explore their cultural and artistic heritage, to discuss topics of current interest, or simply to pursue leisure or entertainment activity. They are shared community spaces.”

Our Vision:
“Share, with pride, the inspirational stories about the many lively connections between Nederlanders and New Zealanders, to create a greater awareness and deeper understanding of our common past, present and future.”

Our Mission:
“Create a financially sustainable attraction that will exhilarate visitors through displays, exhibitions, activities, exchanges, entertainment, education and research – in a manner that inspires enhanced collaboration and interaction between two peoples and two countries.”

The Museum Creative Concept:
“Understanding and Nurturing Our Connections”
We aim to create an institution that nurtures and stimulates a deeper understanding of a common past and present – and the many long-standing and lively connections between Nederlanders and New Zealanders – to inspire us all to create a future that’s shared in many meaningful ways.

• Understand and nurture the many historic and contemporary connections between New Zealanders and Nederlanders
  
• Understand the stories of the Dutch migration waves into New Zealand – the hardships and troubles encountered, as well as our successes and achievements
• Enable the (grand)children of Dutch migrants to understand and  leverage the cultural heritage and original roots that have influenced their values, outlook on life, character and personality
• Better understand the Dutch contribution to the country’s national identity and its economy
• Achieve a deeper understanding of what enables and defines successful immigration – a topic of local and global interest and concern – and leverage the benefits it brings through the creation of a multi-cultural society  
• Better connect two small, entrepreneurial, trading nations so they can improve collaboration and achieve a better future in areas of common interest – such as science, business, the arts, multi-culturalism or international cooperation