2 December 2016

Mayor thanks community for its support for Rotorua Museum

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick has thanked the local community for its support for staff affected by the indefinite closure of Rotorua Museum.

The museum was closed as a safety precaution following new cracks that appeared inside the building after the Kaikoura earthquake last month. It was announced today [Friday 2 December] that it will remain closed until at least April 2017 when the results of a detailed seismic assessment are expected to be known, a decision which will affect the employment of 20 staff in retail, customer service and hospitality roles.

“This is something that was forced on us and it’s always upsetting when people’s jobs are affected so we feel for the staff,” the mayor says.

“We know they will be getting all the support the organisation is able to provide. We’re very heartened to hear of the support and generous offers of jobs that have been coming in from local businesses and tourism operations and from the wider museum community.

“It’s a fabulous community response in a time of adversity and on behalf of our Council I’d like to sincerely thank all of those who have come forward to offer help or support of some kind to help make this easier for our museum team.”

The mayor and councillors were briefed on the museum situation in the confidential part of yesterday’s full Council meeting.

“We’re all concerned for the staff and upset about our much loved building but we’re assured that the situation is being very well handled, from both a staffing and building point of view. I’m comfortable all the right things are being done.

“It’s pleasing that Stewart and his team are looking at how they can continue on with some of the museum’s work and having exhibitions in other locations. I think everyone’s learned from Christchurch about thinking outside the square, including when it comes to how to keep a creative community bubbling along.

Mayor Chadwick said there was added reassurance for councillors in knowing that the process of a detailed seismic assessment had already been started.

“All the right steps are being taken. It’s better to move slowly and safely in situations like this – it’s the right thing to do.”

[ENDS]

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