Project overview for the Museum redevelopment

Posted: 30 May 2016

The Whakatāne Museum and Research Centre Redevelopment is the second phase of the Whakatāne District Council’s major Arts and Culture project. The first phase, Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi (the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre), opened in June 2012 and its combined public library, a museum display area and art gallery spaces have not only been instrumental in revitalising the CBD area, but have achieved record visitor numbers and a growing reputation within the national arts community.

The Museum Redevelopment will transform the existing Whakatāne Museum and Research Centre building in Boon Street into a purpose-built research, storage and archives facility, which will address longstanding issues of storage, climate control, access and building integrity. In short, it will create a multi-functional community asset that supports and complements Te Kōputu and enable the Museum to care for, preserve and manage its collection.

Key facets of the redevelopment include:

A public research centre to house the New Zealand Collection, scrapbooks, journals, photographic datasheets, biographical folders, Māori land court records; Museum research resources, digitised collections, microfilm readers and online database;
Controlled access to the H D London Library and community archives, with both public and private viewing spaces;
A multi-functional education space to accommodate education and community group visits for up to 30 people;
Adequate office space for staff and volunteers, workrooms to repair and conserve existing collection items and space to process incoming collection acquisitions;
Capacity for the anticipated growth of the collection and archives over the next 20 years.

The redeveloped Museum designed by Irving:Smith:Jack partner Andrew Irving will complement Te Kōputu in form as well as function, with a similar architectural style and design elements such as exterior wall treatments, timber screens and seating areas. The ground floor will incorporate two storage areas (one for community archives and the other for large objects), a reception area, a public research centre, a viewing room and loading bay. Upstairs will be a collection storage area, multi-functional education room and staff work areas.

Community involvement opportunities

The Museum redevelopment is a partnership with our stakeholders and our community. We encourage every organisation and individual with an interest in our District’s culture and heritage to get involved. That involvement may be as simple as a message of support; or it may be an offer to help – to become a friend of the Museum; or it may be a donation or funding grant. All contributions will be welcome as we work to bring together the estimated $3 million in external funding required to make this project a reality.

The Council has committed $1.5 million towards the project in its 2015-27 Long Term Plan. The Lotteries Commission has confirmed a $400,000 grant and the Eastern Bay Energy Trust will contribute another $103,000. We are preparing an application to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s regional museum fund seeking $_._ million. And we will be looking to regional funding agencies, service clubs and individual benefactors to raise the remaining $_ million required for the redevelopment.

To find out how you can help, contact one of the people below. Your interest will help to preserve our past and inspire our future.