-
Museum Project – Architects explain why the restoration is such a complex process
Friday, 23 November 2018
Matt and Bernard explain the complexities of working on one of the country’s iconic buildings, Rotorua Museum, two years after it closed its doors after the Kaikoura earthquake. They tell us why each design decision for the building has to be carefully researched and assessed. For more information about the…
-
Museum Project – Architects explain their previous experience in working on Rotorua Museum
Wednesday, 21 November 2018
In recognition of two years since the Rotorua Museum closed its doors, Matt Davy and Bernard Needham tell us about their part in restoring the Bath House building, home to Rotorua Museum. DPA Architects worked on alterations to the museum in 1997 while Bernard tells us about his first visit…
-
Museum Project – Hear from the architects about why they were keen to be involved in this project
Sunday, 18 November 2018
Today marks two years since the closure of the Rotorua Museum doors following the Kaikoura earthquake. Architects, Matt and Bernard, who’ve been appointed to help with restoring the Museum’s heritage Bath Housing building, tell us why they wanted to be involved. You can find out what’s happened over the past…
-
Lynn Gillespie
Monday, 29 October 2018
Meet Lynn Gillespie,a retired teacher, who has joined our team of enthusiastic ‘Outside the Walls’ Walking Tour guides. While the closure of the Bath House has dealt a huge blow to Rotorua, I can see a positive; the ‘Outside the Walls’ tours give visitors and locals an opportunity they wouldn’t…
-
A rich history of Royal visitors to Rotorua
Tuesday, 23 October 2018
Rotorua has a long history of putting on a good spread and a good show for members of the royal family. Rotorua has warmly welcomed the following royal family members: 1870 The Duke of Edinburgh 1901 The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen…
-
Neila Blackmore
Friday, 28 September 2018
Meet Neila Blackmore, one of our enthusiastic new Outside the Walls Walking Tour guides. Before undertaking her guide training, Neila thought she knew all about the Government Gardens. From her home in Pūkaki St, and her parents restaurant, The Empire, the gardens were Neila’s playground. Here is her story. Although…
-
Souvenir ware plate ‘Eruption of the White Terrace’
Wednesday, 11 July 2018
The Rotorua Museum has what we think is the biggest collection of souvenir ware in museums in New Zealand. Most of the pieces were made in the 1900s and have scenes like the Bath House, Sanatorium, Prince’s Gate, Ohinemutu, or Whakarewarewa. This plate is unusual in that is shows an…
-
The mystery of the Tarawera cats
Friday, 8 June 2018
Many people will remember the dried remains of a cat which had been displayed in Rotorua Museum in recent years. In fact it has been described as one of the museum’s most popular exhibits. Here is the story of the three Tarawera cats that were included in the Tarawera eruption…
-
Fred Wylie and his rifle
Thursday, 24 May 2018
Most Rotorua residents will be familiar with the memorial in Government Gardens to soldier Fred W. Wylie but they might not know his story or why he was honoured with a memorial. The 26th of May marks the anniversary of his death. Frederick William Wylie was living in Galatea (76…
-
Catch up with the Curator: Margaret Aull, Taonga Gallery and Tuku Iho Collection Curator
Monday, 12 March 2018
We’re excited to kick off the first Catch up with the Curator blog for 2018. This week Rotorua Museum’s Lead Exhibitions Curator, Ane Tonga, caught up with esteemed artist and curator Margaret Aull (Te Rarawa, Tūwharetoa, Fiji). Margaret is an established artist who has exhibited her artwork nationally and internationally,…
Oruawhata Drive
Govt Gardens, Rotorua
07 350 1814
Contact us
Hours
Rotorua Museum is closed while detailed earthquake assessment is completed.
