Museum Lease Document

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After the First World War, Aucklanders wanted to build a memorial to those who sacrificed their lives. They decided the best place to build this memorial was on top of the Domain with splendid views around Auckland and the harbour.

A lease document was required for the memorial to occupy the proposed site. The original document was signed and sealed by Thomas Cheeseman on the 31st day of March 1920. The lease gave the Auckland War Memorial Museum the right to use the site for a yearly rental of ONE POUND, payable by even and equal half yearly payments in advance on the first days of March and September.

Auckland War Memorial Museum stands on the hill known by Maori as Pukekawa. It has occupied this site since 1929 when subscriptions raised by Aucklanders in remembrance of their war dead, enabled the construction of what is considered one of New Zealand’s finest heritage buildings.