It appears an issue over a sporting singlet from the 1960s may have worked in favour of the organisation and highlighted its uses and its role in the sporting and New Zealand landscape.
The hall published its annual report for 2016 this week and outlined its activities over the past year.
The hall had come under the spotlight earlier this year when Te Papa tried to buy an imitation singlet, said to have been worn by Peter Snell at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
Board chairman John Beattie said the singlet, which turned out to be fake, highlighted the issue of where was the best permanent and public location for important sports items in New Zealand.
Beattie said there did not appear to be opposition to a public museum bidding for the singlet but there was speculation it should be in the Hall of Fame.
Beattie said the hall did not have the finances to buy the singlet but pointed out Te Papa has very few sporting items. He said there was the suggestion whether this was the start of Te Papa moving into sporting memorabilia.
The fact the singlet turned out to be an imitation showed the Hall would have had greater skill than Te Papa is checking its authenticity.
The singlet purchase had led to discussions between hall management and Sport New Zealand chief executive Peter McSkimmin, Te Papa chief executive Rick Ellis and representatives from these two organisations.
Beattie hoped these discussions would continue and would lead to identifying a new model for sporting heritage.
"Honoured members can expect that over time Te Papa will look to better embrace our sporting heritage as a nation than it does at present," Beattie said in the report.
"It is also your board’s expectation that we will be invited to advise and assist Te Papa in this process."
He said Te Papa has no desire to absorb the hall and with its annual inductions the hall required a continuation of its independence.
Beattie said the discussions could lead to sport, through Te Papa, getting a significantly greater role as being recognised as a key pillar of what makes up New Zealanders.
"This may mean a new model for the hall but it is too early to tell."
Hall chief executive Ron Palenski said the publicity around the singlet led to more awareness about the hall and more people through the door.
He said the subsequent debate led to the hall being acknowledged as the proper repository for the material reminders of New Zealand’s sporting legacy, as well as being the place where memories are based and where dreams can be kindled.
Palenski said the relationship between the hall and Te Papa was a developing and complementary one.
The hall recorded a loss of more than $32,000 last year but recorded a small surplus of $478 in the year ended June 30, as a close eye was kept on costs.
Income from admissions rose by $5000. Lois Muir resigned from the board this year and had been replaced by Halberg Disability Sports Foundation chief executive Shelley McMeeken.
