Friends

About the Friends

The Friends play a vital role in promoting awareness and enjoyment of Rotorua Museum’s collections, exhibitions, and events, which all form part of our region’s rich history.

While the Museum is closed, the Friends have continued to actively support the Museum, as well as champion local arts, crafts, and history through a vibrant programme of talks, events, and activities. Recent Friends’ activities include:

  • Actively supporting the Museum’s fundraising efforts to deliver engaging, interactive, world-class exhibitions when the Museum reopens – DONATE NOW
  • Co-hosting the biennial Rotorua Museum Art Awards
  • Organising the Toi – Rotorua Arts Festival
  • Building a valuable collection of contemporary art by local artists
  • Providing practical support to the Museum, including cleaning the Summers Sculptures, helping to preserve the textiles collection, and supporting new acquisitions

From preserving collections to hosting inspiring events, the Friends play a vital role in keeping Rotorua’s stories alive.

Join us and be part of a passionate community helping to preserve and celebrate Rotorua’s rich cultural heritage.

400x200 Function Friends Art Awards

1,000 Friends – Help Reopen Rotorua Museum

The Museum’s redevelopment is progressing well. Over $73 million has been secured for the building project, with construction scheduled for completion in September 2026. However, the project to develop the exhibitions, that will bring Rotorua’s stories, taonga, and history back to life, still needs to raise over $8million.

In October 2025, the Friends will be launching the 1,000 Friends Campaign with the aim of raising $1million towards the new exhibitions.

DONATE NOW

Why can’t the old exhibitions just be put back as they were?

Due to seismic strengthening and compliance upgrades, many original displays can’t simply be reinstated. Exhibition spaces have changed, some taonga have been returned to their lenders, and technology has evolved.

Creating exhibitions to international standards takes time, expertise, and funding. That’s where you come in.

For the cost of a coffee a week, you can help us reach our goal. Donations are tax deductible, and every contribution makes a difference.

Join us today and let’s reopen our Museum—together.

400x200 Rotorua Museum at dusk

Become a Friend of Rotorua Museum

When you join the Friends, you’ll step into the heart of Rotorua’s rich history and vibrant arts scene.

As a Friend, you’ll:

  • Connect with like-minded lovers of art, culture and heritage
  • Receive exclusive invites and discounted tickets to special Friends events
  • Be invited to exhibition openings
  • Be able to actively support arts, culture and heritage in Rotorua

Your membership helps us grow, preserve, and celebrate the stories and taonga that make Rotorua unique.

👉 Join today and be part of our passionate community.

Click here for the brochure & application form
For more information email or phone 027 242 4132

Friends of the Museum LOGO [Converted]

Website by Hodgeman Web Design