Mission Statement

"To preserve, protect, and celebrate the cultural heritage of diverse communities by maintaining world-class collections, providing exceptional educational experiences, and fostering meaningful dialogue that bridges past wisdom with future possibilities. We are committed to being a welcoming sanctuary where stories are honored, traditions are transmitted, and cultural understanding deepens across generations."

Our Vision

We envision a future where cultural heritage is universally valued as essential to human flourishing, where every person can access their cultural roots with pride, and where the Dashi Historical Center stands as a beacon of intercultural understanding in Auckland and beyond. We aspire to be recognized internationally as a center of excellence in cultural preservation, innovative education, and community engagement.

Core Values

These fundamental values guide every decision we make and every program we develop:

Stewardship and Preservation

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of care in preserving cultural artifacts and historical records. Recognizing that we are temporary custodians of irreplaceable cultural treasures, we employ best practices in conservation, utilize cutting-edge preservation technologies, and maintain stringent environmental controls. Every artifact entrusted to our care receives meticulous attention, proper documentation, and secure storage. We understand that preservation is not merely a technical practice but a sacred responsibility to past and future generations.

Educational Excellence

Education is the cornerstone of our mission. We believe that knowledge of cultural heritage should be accessible to all, presented in engaging and meaningful ways. Our educational programs are designed with rigor and creativity, drawing on scholarly research while remaining accessible to diverse audiences. We continuously innovate our teaching methods, incorporating digital technologies, hands-on experiences, and storytelling techniques that bring history to life. From young children discovering culture for the first time to advanced scholars conducting specialized research, we serve learners at every level.

Community Partnership

The Dashi Historical Center exists to serve our community, and we recognize that our strength comes from meaningful partnerships. We actively collaborate with cultural organizations, religious institutions, schools, universities, and community groups. We listen to community voices, incorporate diverse perspectives into our programs, and ensure that our collections reflect the communities we serve. Our doors are open to all, and we work tirelessly to eliminate barriers that might prevent anyone from accessing cultural heritage resources.

Cultural Respect and Authenticity

We approach all cultural traditions with deep respect and commitment to authenticity. We engage cultural experts, community elders, and traditional practitioners to ensure accurate representation. We avoid superficial or stereotypical portrayals, instead presenting cultures in their full complexity and dignity. We acknowledge the sacred nature of certain cultural practices and objects, and we honor protocols around their display and discussion. Our exhibitions and programs are developed in consultation with the communities whose heritage is being shared.

Inclusivity and Accessibility

Cultural heritage belongs to everyone. We are committed to ensuring that people of all backgrounds, abilities, and economic circumstances can engage with our collections and programs. We provide language support, physical accessibility accommodations, and financially accessible programming. We actively work to create a welcoming environment where every visitor feels valued and respected. Our staff and volunteers reflect the diversity of Auckland, and we continuously examine our practices to identify and remove barriers to participation.

Innovation and Adaptability

While we honor tradition, we also embrace innovation. We recognize that cultural institutions must evolve to remain relevant and effective. We experiment with new technologies for preservation and education, develop creative programming formats, and adapt our approaches based on visitor feedback and changing community needs. We balance reverence for the past with openness to new ideas, understanding that both are essential to our mission.

Integrity and Transparency

We operate with the highest ethical standards in all aspects of our work. Our acquisition policies are transparent and ethical. Our research is rigorous and honest, acknowledging complexities and uncertainties in historical interpretation. Our financial management is responsible and accountable. We acknowledge mistakes when they occur and work to correct them. We are transparent about our decision-making processes and welcome constructive feedback from our stakeholders.

Strategic Priorities

To fulfill our mission and realize our vision, we focus on these key strategic priorities:

1. Collection Development and Care

• Expand our collections strategically to fill gaps and represent diverse cultural traditions
• Implement state-of-the-art conservation techniques and climate control systems
• Digitize collections to ensure long-term preservation and wider access
• Develop comprehensive documentation for every artifact in our holdings
• Establish partnerships with international institutions for collection sharing and expertise exchange

2. Educational Impact

• Develop age-appropriate programs from early childhood through adult learning
• Create immersive, interactive experiences that engage multiple learning styles
• Build robust school partnership programs aligned with curriculum standards
• Offer professional development for educators on teaching cultural heritage
• Expand digital learning resources to reach audiences beyond Auckland
• Support academic research through fellowship and residency programs

3. Community Engagement

• Host regular cultural festivals, performances, and celebrations
• Create opportunities for intergenerational dialogue and knowledge transmission
• Develop community curation projects that empower communities to tell their own stories
• Establish advisory councils representing diverse cultural communities
• Provide meeting space and support for cultural organizations
• Document and preserve contemporary cultural practices and oral histories

4. Organizational Sustainability

• Diversify revenue streams to ensure long-term financial stability
• Build endowment funds to support core operations and special initiatives
• Cultivate philanthropic partnerships with individuals, foundations, and corporations
• Invest in staff development and competitive compensation to attract top talent
• Implement environmentally sustainable practices throughout our operations
• Strengthen governance structures and board leadership

5. Facility Enhancement

• Expand exhibition space to showcase more of our extensive collections
• Upgrade technology infrastructure for digital programming and virtual access
• Improve accessibility features throughout the facility
• Create flexible spaces that can accommodate diverse programming needs
• Enhance visitor amenities to improve the overall visitor experience

Our Impact

The work of the Dashi Historical Center creates meaningful impact across multiple dimensions:

Cultural Preservation

Through our conservation efforts, thousands of irreplaceable artifacts are protected from deterioration and loss. Future generations will have access to tangible connections to their cultural heritage that might otherwise have been lost forever.

Educational Enrichment

Each year, we serve thousands of learners through tours, workshops, lectures, and programs. Students develop critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, and historical understanding. Researchers advance scholarship that contributes to global knowledge.

Community Cohesion

By creating spaces for intercultural dialogue and celebration, we help build a more cohesive, understanding, and resilient community. We combat prejudice through education and foster appreciation for cultural diversity.

Cultural Identity and Pride

For community members, especially immigrants and their descendants, our center provides vital connection to cultural roots. Seeing their heritage honored and displayed with respect strengthens cultural identity and pride.

Economic and Tourism Contribution

As a cultural destination, we contribute to Auckland's cultural tourism sector, attracting visitors from around New Zealand and internationally. We support local economic development and enhance Auckland's reputation as a culturally rich city.

Our Commitment to You

To every visitor, donor, volunteer, partner, and community member, we make these commitments:

• We will honor your trust by maintaining the highest standards of care for collections and ethical practice in all our work.
• We will welcome you with warmth and respect, creating an environment where everyone feels they belong.
• We will listen to your voices, incorporate your feedback, and adapt our practices to better serve community needs.
• We will educate with excellence, providing programs that are both rigorous and accessible, scholarly and engaging.
• We will collaborate as partners, recognizing that our work is strengthened through authentic community relationships.
• We will remain accountable to the communities we serve, operating with transparency and integrity.
• We will innovate continuously, seeking new and better ways to fulfill our mission while staying true to our core values.

Together, we preserve the past, enrich the present, and inspire the future.