Watch NZH Local Focus: Museum repair on shaky ground

The Rotorua Museum will remain closed after a seismic assessment, released last week, confirmed it is below earthquake safety standards.

There is still no timeline as to when the repairs will begin, or if the building, as it currently lies, can be repaired at all.

However, the museum director remains positive about the future.

"Clearly from the feedback we've received, it's certainly being missed," says director, Stewart Brown.

The report indicates that the building sits at 15% of the National Building Standard. 33% or below is designated as an earthquake risk.

The report included thorough examination of cracks in the pumice walls of the building.

"The thing to remember is we are dealing with a building that was built in 1908, when reinforced concrete wasn't around back then, certainly not available," says Mr Brown.

Engineers believe repairs are required to the roof of the museum, along with substantial timber and joint restoration.

In the year prior to its closure, the museum was visited by nearly 120,000 people.

But Mr Brown says the museum mandate is still being fulfilled. "Our events and programmes are continuing to run in other venues around the city. Our education programme is also continuing to run. So despite the closure, we have still managed to provide services to about 22,000 visitors over the last period."

It is estimated that the closure of the building has resulted in $1.5 million dollars in lost revenue.

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