Rotorua museum restored for future generations

The Government has allocated a further $2 million through the Regional Infrastructure Fund to complete the permanent exhibition fit-out phase of Rotorua’s Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, following the completion of restoration and seismic strengthening work. The funding supports the museum’s reopening in August 2028, allowing visitors to experience its collection of around 1,600 taonga Māori and 60,000 items. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones attended a ceremony in Rotorua to mark the milestone, emphasizing the building’s historical significance and its role in preserving local and national heritage.

The museum is housed in a Category 1 heritage building, the historic Elizabethan Revival-style Bath House constructed between 1906 and 1908, which has served multiple purposes over the decades, including as a bathhouse, sanatorium, and nightclub. The restoration project, supported by $73.35 million in total investment, includes $31 million from the Crown, with $22 million previously allocated from the Provincial Growth Fund and $9 million from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

The Government’s investment aims to revitalize the museum as a cultural and economic asset for Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty region, with an expected 120,000 annual visitors upon reopening. Co-funding for the project involved local government, community, and philanthropic partners, including Rotorua Lakes Council, which is contributing to the exhibition fit-out phase.

The restoration ensures the museum’s structural safety and prepares it for its next chapter, following decades of service as a key institution sharing the stories of Rotorua, Te Arawa, and New Zealand. The project reflects the Government’s commitment to preserving heritage sites while supporting regional development and tourism.