Museum reopening delayed three years
Fear an entire generation of Rotorua mokopuna would go through school years without seeing rich history
The delayed reopening of one of Rotorua’s most beloved and iconic buildings has been met with disappointment and the fear a generation of children will miss out on visiting the city’s historic taonga.
Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa Rotorua Museum was closed in November 2016 after being damaged in the 7.8-magnitude Kaikoura earthquake.
The museum, inside the Bath House building at Government Gardens, was initially expected to open next year, with more than $50 million raised for the strengthening and restoration from multiple government and charity funders.
The Rotorua Lakes Council announced in a press release yesterday the museum was now expected to open in 2025, with the two-year Bath House construction likely to start in 2022.
The category one heritage building, built between 1906 and 1908, is considered by many to be the jewel in Rotorua’s tourism and culture crown. In 2018 it provided a picturesque backdrop to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit.
By the time it reopens, it will have been closed for nearly a decade.
Former Friends of the Museum chairwoman and current member Joanne La Grouw said she was disappointed and questioned the reasoning for the delay.
“To me, it just seems crazy.” La Grouw said ratepayers needed to know what the new issues were, given they were paying for a lot of the work. La Grouw is also a member of the Rotorua Trust, which donated $10 million towards the museum rebuild. Despite this, news of the delay surprised the trust, she said.
“We haven’t been told about it, other than the [press release], we haven’t been informed.”
Ryan Gray of Evolve Rotorua said the delay meant “an entire generation of Rotorua mokopuna will go through their school years without an opportunity to see the rich history of our city through the objects sitting in museum storage”. Gray said it would be “fantastic” if the museum ran popup exhibitions around the city during the closure to help Rotorua tell its story its way.
It is understood a small exhibition will be held in the city this year.
Rotorua MP Todd Mcclay said the museum was the most photographed building in New Zealand and its reopening needed to happen “without question”.
Monty Morrison, chairman of Te Pu¯ kenga Koeke o Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, said the group was aware there would be delays.
“Historically, we knew this building would be difficult so from our point of view, we’re not surprised but still disappointed at a delay, yet again.
“It’s all about being able to ensure we have a good, safe building. The building is already an iconic building for New Zealand. We want to make sure everything is taken care of for the rebuild.
“While the delay is a pain,