Council confirms no extra cost to Rotorua Museum delay

Rotorua Lakes Council says the delay in reopening Rotorua Museum comes at no extra cost. Photo / Andrew Warner

The delayed reopening of Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa Rotorua Museum will come at no extra cost, the council says.

It was revealed this week that refurbishment of the museum would not be finished until 2025, three years behind schedule.

The 112-year-old building was closed in 2016 after being damaged in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Kaikoura.

The delay was due to a range of issues that came to light during the pre-construction phase, including the 1908 unreinforced pumice masonry structures, a heavy roof, and challenging geothermal conditions, the council said in a release on Tuesday.

Rotorua Lakes Council operational group manager Jocelyn Mikaere told the Rotorua Daily Post the costs associated with additional work were currently within the project contingency and budget.

When asked if there was a possibility of further delays, Mikaere said there was always a possibility of delays with any project, that's why it was important to do all the preparatory investigations and work up-front to try to minimise that potential.

To date, the restoration of the museum has secured $51.1 million in funding.

This figure includes $20m comitted by central government in 2019, $15m from the Provincial Growth Fund with a further $5m from the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment which managed the Provincial Growth Fund, said the ministry was made aware of the decision to delay prior to the announcement.

The committed $20m in funds was not in danger of being withdrawn, the ministry confirmed.

"The Rotorua Museum restoration and strengthening project is an important part of the region's economic development," the spokesperson said.

"Government investment in community assets such as these provide the confidence needed for additional private and iwi investment in the region, which is a crucial part of unlocking the economic potential of our regions."

Jacinda Ardern visited the museum in 2019, and announced funding support for the project. Photo / Stephen Parker

Other funders include:

Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust - $10m
Lottery Grants Board - $6m
Phillip Verry Charitable Foundation - $100,000

The council has pledged $15m towards reopening the museum.

"Funders have been informed and we have had no indication of any change in commitment," Mikaere said.

Mikaere also said the council's plan has not changed.

"The plan remains to earthquake strengthen, restore and reopen."

Rotorua Museum director Lizzie Marvelly was unavailable for comment.

A reply to a comment on the Rotorua Museum Facebook page reads, "During the next few years, the director and her team will be working on extensive community engagement, conservation and exhibition design programmes."

Until the museum reopens, its collection was being stored in specialised facilities in Rotorua and elsewhere, including Te Papa and Auckland War Memorial Museum, for safekeeping.