The museum has confirmed it will introduce a voluntary $20 "admission donation" for adult international visitors from July 1.
However, entry will remain free for all New Zealand residents and for visiting international children under 16.
Museum director Dr Ian Griffin said the decision was necessary because the facility was facing increasing financial pressure.
Operational costs continued to rise, while core public funding remained relatively static.
Like many institutions entrusted with safeguarding national collections, the museum received no direct government support for the care of its possessions, nor for its award-winning education and outreach programmes, he said.
"We’ve made this independent decision because we must act to protect the future of our work.
"With government education funding due to end this year, we need to find new ways to support the learning experiences we offer thousands of schoolchildren annually," Dr Griffin said.
"A small donation from international visitors will go directly to supporting this critical mahi."
The museum is following a path already taken by major institutions such as Te Papa and Auckland War Memorial Museum, which introduced international visitor charges to help sustain their operations.
Te Papa’s model, introduced in 2024, has generated significant new revenue which is being used to strengthen core museum functions, including education, conservation and programming.
Dr Griffin said the museum welcomed about 350,000 visitors annually, and about 12% of those came from overseas.
The voluntary donation was expected to raise more than $200,000 a year — revenue that would be reinvested directly into the museum’s exhibitions, taoka care and education programmes.
Earlier this week, Dunedin City councillors threw out a proposal to charge a $20 entry fee for international visitors at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, as part of deliberations on the long-term plan 2025-34.
Public consultation found 238 submissions (41%) opposed the $20 fee, while 336 (59%) supported the fee, which was expected to generate $150,000 per year.
Gallery and museum director Cam McCracken told councillors institutions which had charged international visitors reported an estimated 40% drop in local and international visitors.
Dr Griffin acknowledged the council’s recent decision not to introduce charges for its own cultural institutions, but noted Otago Museum operated under a different model.
"We’re proud to be part of Dunedin’s vibrant cultural community, and we receive strong support from our city and neighbouring districts.
"But we are also an independent charitable organisation governed by legislation, and we have a responsibility to ensure our long-term sustainability.
"This small donation will help us keep delivering world-class experiences without putting extra pressure on local ratepayers."
A full review of the new policy would be conducted in mid-2026 to assess effectiveness and community feedback.
