The Otago Museum has gained some extra funding from the Dunedin City Council, but nothing like what it had sought.
City councillors decided to give the museum a $175,000 grant for a seismic survey of its campus in 2022-23.
The museum had pitched for about $7.2million when it made its submission on the council’s draft 10-year plan and a key component of that was asking the council to help it become a living-wage employer.
Cr Steve Walker said the council was not in a position to contribute such a significant sum.
However, the seismic survey was "pressing and extremely important".
It would future-proof collections held in one of the city’s major institutions, he said.
Several councillors expressed regret about not helping the museum more.
Cr Jules Radich called the council’s move a significant gesture.
"It’s the least we can do," he said.
Crs Lee Vandervis, Sophie Barker and Jim O’Malley voted against the grant.
