Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa is a local museum and art gallery located in the Government Gardens near the center of Rotorua, New Zealand.
The museum is housed in the former Bath House building, which was opened in 1908 and is noted as the first major investment in the New Zealand tourism industry by the government. The Bath House is a half-timbered building that has been called the most impressive Elizabethan Revival building in New Zealand.
Rotorua Museum opened in the south wing of the Bath House in 1969, while Rotorua Art Gallery opened in the north wing in 1977. In 1988, the museum and gallery combined to form the Rotorua Museum of Art and History. The museum is run by the Rotorua District Council and has collections covering fine arts, photography, social history, and Taonga objects from the Maori culture.
The iconic Bath House building, previously home to Rotorua Museum, is a significant building for the community and country. In 2016, damage from the Kaikoura earthquake meant the building needed to be closed. Based on information at the time, it was initially expected that the project to strengthen and upgrade the Museum could be completed at a cost of 81.4m. There is the potential for costs to escalate further given the complexity and age of the building. It has been more than 5 years since the Council consulted the community about the future of the Museum. Now there is more detail about the scope and costs to restore the building, they want to know how the project should progress.
Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa is housed in the magnificent Bath House building situated in beautiful Government Gardens. The building is built in the Elizabethan half-timbered style, also called Old English style, using native timbers such as Kauri, Rimu, Totara, Matai, and Tawa. The museum offers visitors a chance to discover Rotorua's rich culture, volatile landscape, and dramatic history in this world-class museum.
Overall, Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and culture of New Zealand. Although the museum is currently closed, it is still worth visiting the Bath House building and Government Gardens to appreciate the architecture and natural beauty of the area. Visitors can also stay up to date on the progress of the restoration project and plan their visit accordingly.