PGF stumps up for Rotorua Museum strengthening

A Ngāti Whakaue elder and Rotorua Lakes District councillor describes $20 million in grants for the restoration of the Rotorua Museum as a great birthday gift for the 111-year old institution.

The $5 million from the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund and $15 million from the Provincial Growth Fund was announced by Culture and Heritage Minister Jacinda Ardern at an event at the museum on Tuesday.

Trevor Maxwell says the total cost of earthquake strengthening and other repairs is estimated at between $50m and $55 million, and money has also been pledged by the Rotorua Energy Trust, the council and other sources.

"An earthquake happens in Kaikoura and it affects us up here. In 2016 when we had to sadly close it all, we knew those of us on council, in decisions we had to make, closing it down and puling it down was not an option for us," he says.

The Regional Culture and Heritage Fund is also putting $300,000 towards Motuti Marae Trust's Raiātea Whare Taonga Resource and Archive Centre in Hokianga, $1.3 million to the Expressions Whirinaki Arts and Entertainment Centre redevelopment project in Upper Hutt, and almost $1 million for a performance space in Lyttelton to replace one taken down after the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.

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