Calls for Crown funding to restore damaged Rotorua Museum

Rotorua Museum was closed in November 2016. Photo / File

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick says work restoring the museum can't start until the money to restore it has been fully secured, and discussions are under way about how the Government can contribute.

In a meeting between Chadwick and MPs Tāmati Coffey, Angie Warren-Clark and Fletcher Tabuteau, Crown funding for the museum restoration was a topic of conversation.

"We've always said that we will seek a Central Government contribution towards the restoration and re-opening of our museum," Chadwick said.

"The museum project is an absolute priority for the council."

Chadwick said the council had made formal funding requests to the ministers of finance and arts.

"Everybody is saying she must be restored.

"We're ready to go and to start around July but we need the money or we can't start."

Chadwick said architects and engineers were working to finalise the design and planning of the museum so construction could begin and the council was grateful Rotorua Trust had committed $10m to the restoration.

"In the meantime, we will continue to pursue all potential funding avenues to help us complete the project and get our whare taonga re-opened."

Arts, Culture and Heritage Associate Minister Grant Robertson said the Government was in talks with the council about funding avenues it could consider.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Associate Minister Grant Robertson. Photo / Mark Mitchell

"The Government is keeping in close contact with the Rotorua Lakes Council and is pleased to note its substantive fundraising efforts for the seismic strengthening and exhibitions upgrade of the Rotorua Museum."

Robertson said the museum was "iconic".

The office of Bay of Plenty-based New Zealand First deputy leader Fletcher Tabuteau said he had the same response as Robertson.

Earlier in February Robertson announced tailored regional funding for earthquake-prone heritage buildings to support owners facing the costs of strengthening the buildings.

Waiariki MP Tāmati Coffey said he had been talking to his colleagues to try and get the museum reopened.

Waiariki Labour Party MP Tāmati Coffey. Photo / File

"Like our community, I too share the desire to rapidly reopen our museum and return access to our local taonga to the people of Rotorua and our guests.

"Arts and culture are not a 'nice to have'. It is an essential part of our local identity, helping us to value who we are as a country."

Rotorua MP Todd McClay said he envisioned a three-way partnership between the council, community and Government when National was in power.

National Party MP Todd McClay. Photo / File

"I would hope the current Government would continue with that.

"Its restoration is too much of a burden on our community alone.

"It would be a shame for us to lose it. It's a centrepiece of so many of the good things we offer."

Bay of Plenty-based list MP Angie Warren-Clark said museum repairs were a priority for Rotorua and were regularly raised by the mayor.

Labour Party list MP Angie Warren-Clark. Photo / File

"It is always sad to see to see fences up and doors closed at Rotorua Museum.

"The Rotorua Museum is a New Zealand icon with 3.5 million visitors a year."

Warren-Clark said she was "confident we will see a positive solution in this space". and regularly raised the case with the ministers responsible for arts, culture and heritage.

What has happened since Rotorua Museum closed?

November 18, 2016: Rotorua Museum closed following a rapid seismic risk assessment which determined the building was earthquake-prone
December 2016 – August 2017: Research, destructive testing and analysis to determine in detail the condition of the building and the ground on which it sits
August 2017 – December 2017: Four structural strengthening options were evaluated, and the preferred option selected
December 2017: Detailed seismic assessment was completed which rated the building at 19 per cent of new building standard. Buildings below 34 per cent are considered earthquake-prone, while those under 67 per cent are considered earthquake risk
December 2017 – February 2018: Engineers GDC developed the structural concept design for strengthening the building, for review by Rotorua Lakes Council and Heritage New Zealand
February 2018 – December 2018: Structural design developed into detailed drawings and specifications with estimated costs
June 2018: Rotorua Museum Centennial Trust gives the council $200,000 to start seismic studies, council signs off on long-term plan approving $15 million towards strengthening the Rotorua Museum building with the balance required to be sourced externally.
September 2018: DPA Architects appointed to restore the museum, to be designed by local firm Carling Architects
October 2018: Remaining 25 taonga in the museum removed into specialised storage facilities
November 2018: Opus appointed as project managers
December 2018: Rotorua Trust commits $10m to restoring the museum but the latest costings for the rebuilding of the museum rise to $40m to $47m.