Proposed upgrades of the Tāngata Whenua gallery and the historical heart of the museum complex, the Ross building, feature in a five-year plan outlined to the Dunedin City Council.
In a submission to the council’s 2026-27 draft annual plan, museum director Dr Ian Griffin said the council was not being asked for immediate funding of the two major capital projects, but it was being sent a signal ahead of its 2027-37 long-term plan.
‘‘Council investment would not stand alone, but would act as a catalyst — unlocking additional funding and assuring these projects can proceed at the appropriate scale and quality,’’ Dr Griffin said.
‘‘Of the total funds, we would probably only look for a small contribution from the city and then we’d try and raise the rest from private sources or from grants and trusts.’’
Built in 1877, the Ross building, designed by David Ross, is the oldest on the museum site.
‘‘Its restoration presents an opportunity to recover a remarkable civic space and transform it into a flagship experience within the museum,’’ Dr Griffin said.
Redevelopment of the Tāngata Whenua gallery was not simply a gallery upgrade, he said.
‘‘It is a necessary renewal to ensure the museum reflects the identity of the city and region it serves, and that it does so in a way that is respectful, inclusive, and enduring.’’
The project would change how stories of the region were told, he said.
‘‘It will be developed in partnership with mana whenua and will ensure that the cultural narratives at the heart of Otago are represented with authenticity, depth, and contemporary relevance.’’
The museum’s 2026-31 strategic plan included seismic strengthening and improvements in how collections were cared for and presented.
It should ensure the institution stayed strong in a difficult financial and environmental context, Dr Griffin said.
‘‘It is a plan to maintain and renew critical civic infrastructure so that it remains safe, relevant, and capable of delivering public value for decades to come.’’
