The long and often controversial journey of the Mataatua
Maori meeting house, once prominently displayed at the Otago
Museum, has taken another significant turn, with its recent
reopening at Whakatane.
The Otago Museum complex, including new sections, is to be
classified as a category 1 building, of national heritage
significance, by the Historic Places Trust.
More new exhibitions, more promotion and more available
parking were among suggestions to boost attendance at the
Otago Museum made by visitors in a recent survey.
The Otago Museum has
won a reprieve from a looming deadline by which it was
supposed to refurbish and reopen the 133-year-old former post
office building next door.
The Dunedin City Council is looking to charge the Otago
Museum rent for the still-vacant 133-year-old former post
office building next door, despite continuing delays in
refurbishing the building.
The recent opening of a major new exhibition, "Te Ao Maori:
Maori Treasures from the Otago Museum", in China reflected a
further advance in the museum's relationship with the
Shanghai Museum, organisers said.
Otago Museum Trust Board member Associate Prof Peter Dearden
is seeking clarification about how the museum is maintaining
some specialised skills, including in conservation, given
contracting out of some services.
A large mural by Dunedin sculptor John Middleditch has been
given to the Otago Museum and will be displayed in the
Southern Land, Southern People gallery.
