The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: a labour of love and learning

Daphne Freeder, Shankar Sankaran and Stewart Clegg

Chapter 9 in Megaproject Leaders, 2021, pp 139-149 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Derived chiefly from a personal interview, this chapter describes the career journey of Dr Sean Sweeney, engineer and expert in construction. His chosen project was the seven-year $300 million development of the Museum of New Zealand. The Museum was conceived as an exemplar of New Zealand’s independent nationhood. It was innovative on several fronts, including its status as the first significant building in New Zealand to be constructed as base-isolated, to withstand earthquakes. This project had a considerable influence on Sweeney's broader philosophical approach to project execution and delivery. Coming from a strong Roman Catholic background, the values espoused by Buddhism also guide Sweeney’s thoughtful approach to the leadership of projects. Sweeney views megaprojects as tests of a project leader’s character. His leadership focus is on fashioning fulfilling and healthy work environs vibrant with creative disagreements and pressures. Despite initial scepticism, the project was ultimately deemed innovative and successful.

Keywords: Business and Management; Economics and Finance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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