• Museum Project – Architects explain why the restoration is such a complex process

    Friday, 23 November 2018

    Matt and Bernard explain the complexities of working on one of the country’s iconic buildings, Rotorua Museum, two years after it closed its doors after the Kaikoura earthquake. They tell us why each design decision for the building has to be carefully researched and assessed. For more information about the…

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  • Museum Project – Architects explain their previous experience in working on Rotorua Museum

    Wednesday, 21 November 2018

    In recognition of two years since the Rotorua Museum closed its doors, Matt Davy and Bernard Needham tell us about their part in restoring the Bath House building, home to Rotorua Museum. DPA Architects worked on alterations to the museum in 1997 while Bernard tells us about his first visit…

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  • Museum Project – Hear from the architects about why they were keen to be involved in this project

    Sunday, 18 November 2018

    Today marks two years since the closure of the Rotorua Museum doors following the Kaikoura earthquake. Architects, Matt and Bernard, who’ve been appointed to help with restoring the Museum’s heritage Bath Housing building, tell us why they wanted to be involved. You can find out what’s happened over the past…

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  • Lynn Gillespie

    Monday, 29 October 2018

    Meet Lynn Gillespie,a retired teacher, who has joined our team of enthusiastic ‘Outside the Walls’ Walking Tour guides. While the closure of the Bath House has dealt a huge blow to Rotorua, I can see a positive; the ‘Outside the Walls’ tours give visitors and locals an opportunity they wouldn’t…

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  • A rich history of Royal visitors to Rotorua

    Tuesday, 23 October 2018

    Rotorua has a long history of putting on a good spread and a good show for members of the royal family. Rotorua has warmly welcomed the following royal family members: 1870                The Duke of Edinburgh 1901                The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen…

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  • Neila Blackmore Volunteer Guide

    Neila Blackmore

    Friday, 28 September 2018

    Meet Neila Blackmore, one of our enthusiastic new Outside the Walls Walking Tour guides. Before undertaking her guide training, Neila thought she knew all about the Government Gardens. From her home in Pūkaki St, and her parents restaurant, The Empire, the gardens were Neila’s playground. Here is her story.  Although…

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  • Architect appointed for restoration and development of Rotorua Museum

    Thursday, 27 September 2018

      DPA Architects, with previous experience refurbishing Rotorua Museum, has been appointed to carry out the design work for the restoration of the heritage Bath House building, with help from local firm, Carling Architects. Rotorua Lakes Council’s Arts and Culture manager, Stewart Brown, says restoration work is due to get…

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  • Plate with image of White Terrace Eruption, date unknown, maker unknown, Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (2011.63.3)

    Souvenir ware plate ‘Eruption of the White Terrace’

    Wednesday, 11 July 2018

    The Rotorua Museum has what we think is the biggest collection of souvenir ware in museums in New Zealand. Most of the pieces were made in the 1900s and have scenes like the Bath House, Sanatorium, Prince’s Gate, Ohinemutu, or Whakarewarewa. This plate is unusual in that is shows an…

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  • The mummified cat from Tarawera eruption, found at Wairoa 1901 by C. Crowther, Rotorua

    The mystery of the Tarawera cats

    Friday, 8 June 2018

    Many people will remember the dried remains of a cat which had been displayed in Rotorua Museum in recent years. In fact it has been described as one of the museum’s most popular exhibits. Here is the story of the three Tarawera cats that were included in the Tarawera eruption…

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  • Crowds gather at Fred Wylie Memorial Carnival Day in February 1904

    Fred Wylie and his rifle

    Thursday, 24 May 2018

    Most Rotorua residents will be familiar with the memorial in Government Gardens to soldier Fred W. Wylie but they might not know his story or why he was honoured with a memorial. The 26th of May marks the anniversary of his death. Frederick William Wylie was living in Galatea (76…

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