The Rotorua community is being invited to step back inside Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa Rotorua Museum at a special Community Open Day on Saturday, 21 November.
From 10.30am, the Museum will open its doors, giving people the chance to explore the beautifully restored building and reconnect with spaces that have been inaccessible to the public for almost a decade.
Along the way, people will learn about one of New Zealand’s most complex heritage restoration projects and get a behind-the-scenes look at future exhibitions that will showcase the stories and taonga of Rotorua when the Museum reopens in mid-to-late 2028.
Visitors can also enjoy a day out in the Government Gardens with live music and entertainment, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.
Rotorua Mayor, Tania Tapsell says the event is a chance to thank the community for its ongoing support throughout Rotorua Museum’s restoration journey.
“Our Rotorua Museum is such a treasure for our community, and this event is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come on the journey to fixing the building and reopening it once again for all to enjoy,” said the Mayor.
“This is a chance to come together as a community, experience the remarkable restoration work that’s been completed, and look ahead to the next chapter of memories, learning and connection in the Rotorua Museum.”
Visitors can also hear directly from the people behind the project through two one-hour ticketed talks at 11am and 2pm. The sessions will give attendees the opportunity to learn what it took to complete the building’s restoration and hear what’s planned for future exhibitions.
Talks are limited to 47 attendees per session. Tickets are $10 per person and can be booked online in advance.
While exhibition planning is progressing well, community support remains important in helping bring world-class exhibitions to life when the Rotorua Museum reopens.
Visitors will have several opportunities to support Friends of the Museum fundraising efforts throughout the day, including making an online donation, purchasing raffle tickets, visiting the Friends of the Museum retail stand, or participating in a silent auction.
The auction will feature a limited-edition signed Dick Frizzell print and an original artwork by Toni Armstrong, with all proceeds and donations supporting the Rotorua Museum exhibition programme.
This special community event has been made possible through the support of our partners.
Council is grateful to Watts & Hughes Construction, the key contractor behind the Rotorua Museum restoration, which has joined the Community Open Day as the event’s Fund Matching Partner. Watts & Hughes Construction will match all public donations made during the Community Open Day, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000, in support of future Rotorua Museum exhibitions.
Event details:
Rotorua Museum Community Open Day
- Saturday, 21 November
- 10am – 3pm
- Museum doors open 10:30am
- Free entry
- Free event parking in the Government Gardens. Accessible parking available (see event map)
- Water bottles are permitted inside the Museum. Food is not permitted inside the building
- This is an accessible event. Staff and volunteers will be available to assist visitors
- The Open Day will proceed rain or shine. Some outdoor activities are weather dependent
- Follow the Rotorua Lakes Council Facebook page for event updates.
