A $400,000 grant is being awarded to Rotorua Lakes Council to aid in the strengthening, restoration, and redevelopment of the iconic Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa.

The multi-year grant from the New Zealand Community Trust is to be spread of this year and the next three years.

The landmark Category 1 Bath House building has been closed since November 2016 due to seismic vulnerabilities.

“We heard from our community how well-loved this building is and that there is strong support to re-open,” says Mayor Tania Tapsell.

“The support from New Zealand Community Trust and other funders is yet another step towards reopening the doors of the Rotorua Bath House and Museum to everyone.”

Rotorua Lakes Council, Aarts, Culture & Mahi Toi Manager Stewart Brown says when it was open, Rotorua Museum attracted around 100,000 to 120,000 visitors each year, sharing the stories of the Rotorua region and its people.

The restoration project promises significant economic benefits, including job creation and increased investment.

The museum's reopening will bolster Rotorua's identity as a world-class tourism destination and a vital cultural hub.

The museum houses a nationally significant collection of over 55,000 objects, including social history artifacts, art, photography, and more than two thousand taonga Māori.

Photo: Fullframe Photography .

“We are delighted to support the rebirth of this precious institution in the heart of Rotorua. NZCT is grateful for the responsible gaming fundraising partnerships we enjoy with Kasper’s Sports Bar, Mo’s Bar and The West End Tavern that made our grant possible,” says NZCT’s grants, marketing and communications general manager Ben Hodges.

With the recent funding announcements, detailed design plans completed, and resource consents issued, the building project is now fully funded and ready to commence.

The total building project is expected to cost $73.55 million, with fundraising for the exhibition work ongoing.

Construction is set to begin this month and is anticipated to be completed by 2027.