The final decision on the future of the controversial Captain Hamilton statue is unlikely to be made until at least March next year.
The bronze statue was removed from Hamilton's Civic Square in June amid threats it would be pulled out during a Black Lives Matter protest and taken to be temporarily stored in a secret council-owned facility.
The quick executive decision split the city with Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate saying she had never received so many threats during her time in politics.
But the statue is likely to remain hidden while the council develops a range of documents and policies relating to matters of cultural significance, according to a report to the Community Committee.
The programme will include a report, estimated to cost $4000, looking at the options for the future of the Captain Hamilton statue. The report is not earmarked to be presented to council until March next year.