‘Tuatara central to future museum’
A report recommending a $66 million Southland Museum be built on the current site says the tuatarium should be developed as a visitor experience that maximises people’s ability to have appropriate contact with the animals.
However, this must be done within the terms of an agreement with Iwi and DOC.
‘‘This may in time include other taonga species, such as the Kakapo,’’ the report says.
The Tim Walker report, obtained by The Southland Times this week, recommends the nowclosed pyramid building be retained and developed at an estimated cost of $66m, to be completed in 2023-24.
However, the report’s contents have not been discussed by Southland’s councils so any decisions on whether the proposal is pursued or discarded may be some way off.
The museum development project provides an opportunity to establish a ‘‘must see, must do’’ 21st century leisure and learning experience that will grow visitor numbers, the report says.
Live exhibits such as the tuatara will be central to the museum’s purpose, it adds.
‘‘It is currently an important point of difference and this should be enhanced.
‘‘As the only survivors of an ancient lineage of reptiles [dating back 200 million years] tuatara represent a deep time narrative even though the animals are not connected to the deep south.’’
Few regional museums are in a position to charge entry fees but Walker recommends the Southland Museum could integrate a commissionable product into the development, whether that be tuatara and kakapo, or something else.
Community consultation also shows a level of support in retaining and further developing the Sub-Antarctic Islands as a focus area of the museum, the report says.
It notes there have been a number of proposals to extend the museum on its current site at Queens Park during the past decade.
This saw reports written by sector professionals and architectural designs prepared, with none coming to fruition.
It says Invercargill is an under performer in terms of the regional and national visitor economy, but museums can contribute significantly to the likelihood of visitors coming to a city and to the number of guest nights spent.
‘‘This may in time include other taonga species, such as the Kakapo.’’ Tim Walker report
The funding plan, which Walker’s report describes as challenging but achievable, suggests $22m from Southland’s councils, $22m from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, $6m from the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund, $12m from Lotteries and Trusts and $4m from partnerships and fundraising.
The Invercargill City Council has already committed $9.5m for the museum development in its long term plan.
Last week it was revealed the council owned the museum building, and not the museum trust board as previously thought.
This week the council has taken steps to officially take over the governance of the museum from the museum trust board, which is in support.