A Fresh Look For A Much-Loved Landmark: Whanganui Regional Museum’s New Exterior Colour Scheme Unveiled

Visitors to Pukenamu Queen’s Park will see an exciting and fresh new look emerging for Whanganui Regional Museum. As scaffolding comes down on sections of the building, glimpses of its attractive new colour scheme are being revealed.

The repaint is part of the Whanganui District Council’s Long-Term Plan 2024–2034, which includes exterior refurbishment of both the Museum’s original 1928 building and its 1968 extension, home also to the Davis Lecture Theatre. The project is currently in Stage One of completion, with work being carried out by Alan Tong Ltd.

Craig Dalgleish, Director of Dalgleish Architects Ltd, and design technician Catherine Macdonald designed the new look - a thoughtful blend of local identity, culture, architecture, and natural elements. Their vision brings a new sense of life and warmth to this significant civic building.

‘We wanted the Museum to sit confidently on its corner and announce itself,’ says Craig. ‘The colours reference Whanganui’s natural environment, cultural past, and architectural heritage - but they also reflect optimism and inclusivity. We deliberately moved away from the safe neutrality of ‘greige’ to create a sense of welcome and vitality.’

Craig worked with Resene Trade Sales Representative Nick Gibbons on the technical aspects of the colour choices, and with Rāwiri Tinirau, Pou Rauhī / Māori Advisor for Whanganui Regional Museum to ensure cultural resonance. ‘We made sure we had cultural sign-off before we presented the scheme. The response was very encouraging, and very supportive.’

The palette is anchored by tones of Resene Merino and Triple Merino, a nod to Whanganui’s strong farming heritage and the city’s early growth on the back of the wool trade. These soft neutrals are contrasted by earthy Resene Scoria, a volcanic red that acknowledges both the region’s geology and the architecture of marae, and by Resene Bali Hai, a blue evoking the moana, the awa, and the distant mountains. A soft blush pink - carefully chosen from Resene’s colour charts of the period - adds an unexpected yet authentic 1920s touch.

‘The Soft Pink is probably the most unexpected colour, but it plays a key role in pulling the scheme together,’ Craig explains. ‘It breaks the building free from the beige tones and connects both to the 1920s design period and to the warmth of the whenua expressed in the Scoria.’

Attention to architectural details was key. The classical 1928 building is designed in three parts - base, shaft, and capital - like a column. Craig and Catherine worked to accentuate the vertical elements that link the two distinct eras of architecture. ‘That vertical language softens the transition between the 1920s and 1960s sections, making the whole building feel more cohesive,’ he says. The vertical segments on the 1968 building will be painted Scoria red in reference to the pou of marae.

An unexpected delight emerged during the project: the discovery of a hidden architectural detail beneath old bitumen waterproofing layers. ‘It’s a modern detail leaning to the modernist movement and where that was going - quite forward thinking and subtly done by the architect at the time. It is abstract, asymmetrical, and does not follow a classical order at all. It’s out of step with the building and is a real clue to how architecture was evolving,’ says Craig. ‘I think the architect slipped in a reference to the modernity that was starting to happen.’ The feature is purely decorative but is linked to the design of the Whanganui War Memorial Centre directly opposite the Museum, built in 1960. ‘The fact that the detail is asymmetrical and abstract, is the clue that it illustrates the transition from the classicism of the Museum to the eventual abstraction of the War Memorial Hall.’

‘That gave me a real kick – that we uncovered this transition detail that was not of the classicism of the 1920s, but on its way to the modern style. Finding that was a real thrill - it’s a little piece of design history brought back to light.’

The Museum’s new look also reflects a wider shift in Whanganui’s cultural precinct. With its neighbours - the Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui War Memorial Hall, and the Alexander Heritage and Research Library - the Museum helps define a civic destination that is forward-looking while firmly grounded in heritage.

‘The new colour scheme has a degree of frivolity and 1920s optimism. It looks backwards, but it looks backwards to look forwards.’

‘We wanted the building to express inclusivity,’ says Craig. ‘Historically, the Museum has felt quite patriarchal. It’s important that it feels inclusive. This colour scheme is very deliberate – it’s intended to say: You’re all welcome here.’

Whanganui Regional Museum Director Dr Bronwyn Labrum says, ‘I could not be more delighted. We had very careful discussions throughout the development of the colour scheme and I always had great faith in Craig and Catherine with whom I have worked on our recent award-winning exhibitions. Their work is outstanding: thoughtful, appropriate, yet bold and contemporary. The meticulous work of Alan Tong Ltd was essential. We have had lots of positive visitor feedback already and the team love it.’

Throughout the project, the Whanganui Regional Museum remains open as usual - continuing to welcome visitors into a space where the past, present, and future come together.

Note:

Founded in 1892, the Whanganui Regional Museum is internationally renowned for its Taonga Māori Collection. Located in Pukenamu Queen’s Park, visitors can view the exceptional creations of tupuna (ancestors) of Whanganui tangata whenua (indigenous people) alongside a changing exhibition programme encompassing a world-class collection of natural and human history, with a regional emphasis. The ground level boutique museum store sells a range of local and Māori jewellery, books, cards, art, and other New Zealand-made gift items.

The Whanganui Regional Museum Trust is an independent legal entity that owns the collection and governs the development of the Museum on behalf of the Whanganui community.

Open to visitors daily from 10.00am to 4.30pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday), entry to Whanganui Regional Museum is free. Connect with Whanganui Regional Museum or on Facebook and Instagram.

© Scoop Media