Timeline – Rārangi wā
Prior to Closure (1880-2016
1880 – Gift for the world: Land gifted by Ngāti Whakaue for the benefit of the people of the world
1908 – Official opening of the Bath House: The ‘great south seas spa’ is officially opened on 13 August
1940 – Peak time: 60,000-80,000 baths given each year plus 25,000 massages and physical therapies
Late 1940s – War time effects: Bath House falls into a desperate state of disrepair
1964 – A new lease of life: Tudor Towers restaurant opens in the foyer and mezzanine
1969 – Museum opens: Rotorua Museum opened in the south wing
1977 – Gallery opens: Rotorua City Art Gallery opened in north wing
1985 – Heritage classified: NZHPT listed the Bath House as an Historic Place
1990 – Night club era over: Tudor Towers night club closed
2006-2011 – Building extensions completed:The Rotorua Museum Centennial Trust funded this project to complete the Bath House building to Arthur Wohlmann’s original vision.
2006 – Centennial project stage 1 viewing platform opened
2008 – Centennial project stage 2 north wing extension opened
2011 – Centennial project stage 3 south wing extension opened
2016 – Museum closed for strengthening Rotorua Museum closed for Bath House strengthening, restoration and redevelopment.
1880 – Gift for the world: Land gifted by Ngāti Whakaue for the benefit of the people of the world
1908 – Official opening of the Bath House: The ‘great south seas spa’ is officially opened on 13 August
1940 – Peak time: 60,000-80,000 baths given each year plus 25,000 massages and physical therapies
Late 1940s – War time effects: Bath House falls into a desperate state of disrepair
1964 – A new lease of life: Tudor Towers restaurant opens in the foyer and mezzanine
1969 – Museum opens: Rotorua Museum opened in the south wing
1977 – Gallery opens: Rotorua City Art Gallery opened in north wing
1985 – Heritage classified: NZHPT listed the Bath House as an Historic Place
1990 – Night club era over: Tudor Towers night club closed
2006-2011 – Building extensions completed:The Rotorua Museum Centennial Trust funded this project to complete the Bath House building to Arthur Wohlmann’s original vision.
2006 – Centennial project stage 1 viewing platform opened
2008 – Centennial project stage 2 north wing extension opened
2011 – Centennial project stage 3 south wing extension opened
2016 – Museum closed for strengthening Rotorua Museum closed for Bath House strengthening, restoration and redevelopment.
Closure to Construction (2016-2024)
Dec 2016–Aug 2017 – Seismic Assessment: Building rated earthquake prone at just 19% NBS.
Aug 2017–Dec 2017 – Strengthening Concepts: Structural & architectural planning provided redevelopment concepts for consideration.
2018–2023 – Extensive Geotechnical Testing, Design Phase & Enabling Works: Objects removed & enabling works completed. Structural investigations informed design. Exhibition engagement ongoing.
2021-2023 – Extensive Investigation & Research: Specialist research and testing informs new structural design concept for the building utilising a displacement-based philosophy. Workshop e completes exhibition master planning.
Dec 2016–Aug 2017 – Seismic Assessment: Building rated earthquake prone at just 19% NBS.
Aug 2017–Dec 2017 – Strengthening Concepts: Structural & architectural planning provided redevelopment concepts for consideration.
2018–2023 – Extensive Geotechnical Testing, Design Phase & Enabling Works: Objects removed & enabling works completed. Structural investigations informed design. Exhibition engagement ongoing.
2021-2023 – Extensive Investigation & Research: Specialist research and testing informs new structural design concept for the building utilising a displacement-based philosophy. Workshop e completes exhibition master planning.
Construction and Fit-out (2024-2027)
June 2024-2026 – Construction Phase: Watts & Hughes begins earthquake strengthening, restoration redevelopment of the Bath House Building. Workshop e and Museum team complete exhibition design.
2026-2027 – Exhibition Installation: Construction and building fit out completed. Exhibition production, constructions and installation completed.
2027 – Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa reopens
June 2024-2026 – Construction Phase: Watts & Hughes begins earthquake strengthening, restoration redevelopment of the Bath House Building. Workshop e and Museum team complete exhibition design.
2026-2027 – Exhibition Installation: Construction and building fit out completed. Exhibition production, constructions and installation completed.
2027 – Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa reopens
