Rotorua Trust continues generous support of Rotorua Museum project
Wednesday, 6 December 2023
The Rotorua Trust has long been a supporter of Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa. Even before the closure of the Museum in November 2016 (due to earthquake damage), the Rotorua Trust has been active in their generous funding to develop the Museum and arts in Rotorua.
Following Rotorua Lakes Council’s decision (2 August 2023) to proceed with the strengthening and re-opening of Rotorua Museum, the Rotorua Trust is pleased to announce an additional $5 million added to the grant for the Museum project.
Rotorua Trust Chairperson Stewart Edward, MNZM, has reaffirmed the Trust’s continuity of support for Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa: “Before the earthquake damage, the Trust granted $4.7 million for the building’s extension in 2009. Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa is an important cultural and historical landmark for the Rotorua community, and we are supportive of ensuring that it is restored and reopened for generations to come. To that end, the Trust is granting a total of $15 million towards the Museum project, with an additional $5 million being added to the initial $10 million that the Trust agreed to grant in December 2018.
We believe the Museum’s re-opening will be a momentous milestone for Rotorua, and we look forward to seeing it thrive again for the region. We recognise the cultural importance of the site to Te Arawa, as well as the economic and historical impact of the Museum for locals and the thousands of visitors that choose Rotorua as a destination each year. The nationally significant collection of art, objects, and taonga will once again be accessible to the Rotorua community.”
Mayor Tania Tapsell was delighted with the Rotorua Trust funding announcement and support for this project.
“We heard from our community how well-loved this building is and that there is strong support to re-open. Our Council is working hard on a solution and this funding is hugely significant to making that possible.
“It’s one of the most challenging heritage building restoration projects in the country, and we will continue to seek full funding to complete the work. This strong support from Rotorua Trust is yet another step towards reopening the doors of the Rotorua Bath House and Museum to everyone.”
In May and June this year, the Rotorua community was consulted on options for the Museum due to cost escalations that had occurred since the project was committed to by the previous Council (2021).
The Council voted in favour of proceeding with the strengthening of Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa and re-opening it as a museum, subject to conditions being met around careful project management and raising sufficient funding.
In early October this year, Council requested tenders from potential contractors for the construction phase of the restoration of the Rotorua Museum.
Museum Project Executive Sponsor, Rotorua Lakes Council Interim Chief Executive Gina Rangi says,
“As we now move into the construction phase for Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, and given the changes in the construction sector since we first appointed Hawkins, Council has decided that a multi-party closed tender process is the most commercially appropriate way forward. This will ensure that we have the most competitive pricing possible and that we have the right expertise for a build of this type.
“We anticipate being ready with a recommendation to award the construction contract by early next year for a decision of Council.”
The Rotorua Museum exhibition team continue to work on the exhibition development and engagement with the local community and iwi.
Image credit: (Left to right) Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell, Rotorua Trust Chief Executive Blair Gilbert, Rotorua Trust Chairperson Stewart Edward, Rotorua Lakes Council Interim Chief Executive Gina Rangi.
