Video: 'Way, way better' - museum big hit with public

The revamped Toitu Otago Settlers Museum is a massive hit with its first visitors.

Thousands of people have flowed in to the social history museum this morning, the first day it has been open to the public after a two-and-a-half year closure for a $37.5 million redevelopment.

The building has been extended with a new building and the refurbishment of an old railways depot doubling its gallery space and innovative displays and interactive technology bringing it into the modern day.

"It's just so much better than the old (museum), way, way better," 14-year-old Ainslea Boult said.

Ben Pereira said he was impressed with the museum and its size, and thought it would be become a big attraction for Dunedin.

Museum director Linda Wigley said the interest on the first public open day today had been overwhelming.

"It's absolutely tremendous, there was big anticipation and expectation around this and the public have done us proud.

"What we have got here is world class, and I think people are stunned."

The grand opening weekend follows Maori and civic opening ceremonies yesterday, and celebrations continuing through the weekend feature local music and community performances from salsa to Indian classical dance and Capoeria displays, to Japanese drumming, traditional Polish dances and war time songs from a 60s-plus entertainment group.