Fund-raising for a new museum in Palmerston is "actively under way", according to Waihemo Heritage chairman Chris Cox.
However, the first step before the group can apply for funding and grants is to prepare a strategic plan for a new museum and it has already started that with a series of strategic planning meetings in the community.
The first was held last week and at least another two are planned, he said.
The group unveiled its plans for a museum and archive to the Waitaki District Council about a year ago.
It wants to preserve the heritage of the former Waihemo county area, based on Palmerston, although Mr Cox said it was not solely limited to that.
Eventually, the group wants to buy a building in Palmerston for a museum and archive, but before it reaches that stage it needs a strategic plan on how it can be developed, what it will cost and funds to be raised.
Mr Cox said money which had already been received was mainly being spent on preparing the plan.
"Basically, we need that so we know where we are going," he said.
The group is renting two rooms in the Palmerston Athenaeum in which it would start to establish an archives and display material.
"Our aim in the longer term is to preserve what is a lot of heritage in the Waihemo area in a new museum," he said.
Palmerston had a private museum which was operated by Trevor Ross.
Although Mr Ross had now shifted house in Palmerston, he was still providing archive advice.
