Ms Cato’s submission on the Dunedin City Council’s draft annual plan calls for the council to reconsider its proposal not to increase funding for the museum in the next financial year.
"Wake up and smell their cafe’s freshly brewed coffee and marvel at the record-breaking visitor numbers who pile in, in their droves, every year ... and then tell me you’re not going to support them properly this year.
"All they’re asking is for a modest 5% increase to align with inflation, when they haven’t had the funding to rotate the collections they’ve had on display for years."
Ms Cato, who gained popularity hosting children’s television shows such as You and Me, called on the council to consider the future of the city.
"Your children are this city’s future and they need to be proud of their history and the history of Aotearoa and of our country’s place in the world.
"But Tūhura can’t do it all on thin air."
The council’s planned budget proposes to freeze Tūhura’s levy funding at $4.96 million for 2024-25. In 2023, the council agreed by 7-6 to increase Tūhura’s funding by 5%.
Meanwhile, the council proposes to increase next year’s funding for the Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Toitu Otago Settlers’ Museum by 3.8% to $11.259m.
Tūhura Otago Museum director Ian Griffin said the funding for the museum was not enough to keep up with the increasing cost of living.
It was asking for a further increase of 5%, he said.
"In a time of high inflation, it seems quite unreasonable not to give us an increase in funding.
"We think the museum delivers good value for the people of Dunedin. We work really hard to generate income. It’s not an easy challenge for the councillors, but from our perspective it seems only fair to give us a slight increase, so we can build on and continue the work that we do."
Dr Griffin was delighted Ms Cato had decided to support the museum’s efforts.
"We know her passion for the museum, and the work she does for the Wild Dunedin festival each year.
"The museum does have a national profile. If people such as Suzy support it, then that’s great news."
The council received more than 750 submissions on its draft annual plan, of which more than 180 gave feedback about Tūhura — the bulk of those were in favour of increasing funding.
Andersons Bay School principal Pauline Simpson’s submission said Tūhura was a "vital asset".
"Our school of 300 children use this resource in many areas of the school curriculum. It supports our students to connect to their community as well as give authentic contexts for learning.
"It is vital that the Dunedin City Council includes a 5% increase in funding for Tūhura Otago Museum, in line with inflation."
Resident Richard Davies submitted although the museum was aligned with the University of Otago, "in the bigger picture that the DCC, as the ‘major player’ in our community should support it directly as a ratepayer community-wide benefit".
Ms Cato was not the only celebrity who appears to have taken an interest in the council’s draft annual plan — New Zealand Today host Guy Williams asked for the council to consider making buses free for everyone in Dunedin.
Hearings on the council’s draft annual plan take place later this week.
