We are a New Zealand museum showcasing our nation’s military history, telling the stories of kiwi soldiers and exploring our participation in major conflicts worldwide.
Mission
To engage New Zealanders in the stories of our soldiers and the history and development of our Army: to show how these have shaped our identity as a country and our place in the world, and thereby to help create a nation which understands and values its military dimension.
Responsible Tourism
The National Army Museum understands it creates environmental and social impact through its activities. We actively try to reduce adverse effects by buying wisely, using resources efficiently, and disposing of waste responsibly.
We undertake to:
- Recycle all materials possible.
- Reuse building materials, paper, cardboard, folders, envelopes.
- Minimise water wastage and energy consumption.
- Use energy efficient lighting and appliances whereever possible.
The National Army Museum currently holds a Qualmark ‘Enviro Bronze’ award in recognition of the work we have been doing to reduce our environmental footprint. Our challenge as responsible tourism operators is to continue to identify ways we can further reduce our footprint. If you have any suggestions please contact us.
History
For many years New Zealanders had been reluctant to commemorate their military history and as a result plans for a national war museum had not eventuated.
The New Zealand Army had maintained small collections and displays at Dunedin, Burnham, Linton and Waiouru. In 1964, a small museum was established in the original Waiouru Homestead and it wasn’t until thirteen years later that the Chief of General Staff, Major-General Ronald Hassett (a veteran of WWII and Korea) launched “Operation Heritage” to develop a National Army Museum.
The Museum was designed to function as a memorial; to acquire, preserve and display aspects of New Zealand’s military history; and to serve as a research and teaching facility.
Events moved rapidly: the Army Memorial Museum Trust Board was incorporated in August 1977. Spearheaded by a well-publicised run across New Zealand by Major Albert Kiwi and his dog Freefall, fund-raising got underway. The builders soon followed and Army Engineers and voluntary labour braved a tough winter to complete the Sir Miles Warren designed fortress-like structure in just 276 days. The Governor General opened the 1300-square metre Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum on 15 October 1978.
Looming dramatically out of the tussock and ‘guarded’ by restored tanks and guns, the complex captured the attention of Desert Road travellers. The Museum also attracted interest for its unique displays which were the work of Gary Couchman — a Wellington designer, now residing in Australia — who set new standards for museum display throughout New Zealand.
Since 1978, the Museum has undergone further development. Stage II opened in July 1983, increasing work, storage and gallery space. Stage III (Kippenberger Pavilion) was finished in 1995 as was the memorial greenstone wall Tears on Greenstone — Roimata Pounamu which commemorates New Zealand’s War Dead from the three Armed services and the Merchant Marine.
The National Army Museum is now planning further development (Stage IV) which will consist of a large Display Hall that will enable the Museum to exhibit over fifty military wheeled and tracked vehicles and the large artillery pieces that are currently held in storage.
Structure
The National Army Museum is a Registered Charitable Trust. Most civilian staff are employed by Defence (Army) with the exception of the commercial activites and education assistance staff. The National Army Museum also has a number of volunteers which it calls on from time to time.
Director
The National Army Museum’s Director, Colonel (Retired) Ray Seymour, joined the Museum in March 2007 with over 45 years of Army experience having enlisted into the Army as a Regular Force Cadet in 1963.
During his long career the Colonel has served in numerous countries, including two tours of Active Service in South Vietnam, as well as three tours to Malaysia, two tours to Singapore and one to Australia and Indonesia.
The different aspects of his extensive service can be seen in his medal group, which consists of being a Member of the Order of the British Empire, an Operational Service Medal, the Vietnam Medal, the General Service Medal (Warlike), the East Timor Medal, the New Zealand Armed Forces Award, the Pinjat Jasa Malaysia Medal and the South Vietnamese Campaign Medal. 
The New Zealand Armed Forces Award is presented to Regular officers who have completed 15 years service in the New Zealand Armed Forces. Colonel Ray Seymour has two bars across this medal which indicates he has been awarded it three times by having served over 45 years. He is probably the only recipient of this medal with two bars.
During 1992-1995, Colonel Seymour served as the Defense Adviser to Malaysia and Brunei and in 1999-2000 he was the Defense Attache to Indonesia. He has served as the Commander of the Army Training Group in Waiouru and his long career has seen him hold the appointments of the Officer Commanding the Regular Force Cadet School; the Director of Infantry and Special Air Service; the Military Secretary; Colonel Operations; ACGS Operations and Training; ACGS Human Resources; ACGS Capability Analysis and Doctrine and Director of Strategic Committments.
During his two tours of duty on Active Service in South Vietnam, he served as an Infantry Section Commander. It was during his second tour in 1968 that Ray earned the name of “The Magnetic Man” following his being wounded by an anti-personnel mine that saw 308 pieces of shrapnel being embedded in his body. Examples of this particular mine can be seen at the National Army Museum. Ray’s experience of being wounded in action is featured in a book entitled “Voices from Vietnam” and this can be purchased from the Museum Gift Shop.
The trust board
The Trust Board has overall responsibility for the Army Museum and its activities. The day to day operation of the Army Museum is the responsibility of the Director, currently Col (Rtd) Ray Seymour.
Members of the Trustboard (as at 1 May 2011)
Col. (Rtd) D.W.S. Moloney, OBE (Chairman)
Maj (Rtd) P.J. Skogstad
Dr T.L. Rodney Wilson, CNZM
Brig (Rtd) David McGregor, OBE, ED
Mr Matt Beattie
Dr Kerry McDonald
Mr Kenneth Johnston
Ex-Officio Members:
Brig Charles Lott, MNZM (Deputy Chief of Army)
Brig (Rtd) John Dennistoun-Wood (Secretary)
Col (Rtd) Ray Seymour, MBE, JP (Director, National Army Museum)
