Stewart Island heritage gets $1m boost
A Stewart Island heritage centre will receive more than $1 million in Government funding.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry said in Oban yesterday that the facility would ‘‘enhance this very special place for generations to come’’.
The Government would commit $1.08m to the Rakiura Heritage Centre Trust, Barry said.
The modern and fit-for-purpose facility would receive the funding from the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund, she said.
Rakiura had a rich and fascinating story to tell, she said.
‘‘But the current museum was simply too small for an increasingly large and valuable collection. It’s time Stewart Island had an appropriate facility for islanders and visitors to enjoy.’’
The new building would allow up to half the collection to be displayed, and for the rest to be stored safely and securely, she said. ‘‘It’s also an environmentallyfriendly design which incorporates solar power generation and water collection.’’
For such a small community, Rakiura had done well to achieve their goals and leverage funds towards the project, Barry said.
‘‘The trust has done a sterling job bringing together its community, local sponsors and business people.’’
The Government funding would cover a shortfall for the building’s construction phase.
Barry said she wanted to acknowledge the ‘‘strong’’ role of local MP Sarah Dowie, who was an advocate for the project.
She also acknowledged the Fire Service, which made land available at a peppercorn rental for 100 years.
The Government’s contribution to the $3.609m centre is conditional on the project securing resource consent by December 20.
A decision on the resource consent application is due in the next few weeks.