The opening of the $2.5million visitor centre in the Catlins was attended by about 100 key project partners, funders, and past and present Southland Charitable Trust trustees.
South Catlins Charitable Trust chairman Paul Duffy said the centre was established as a result of the trust's ambition to preserve the Catlins, while catering to a growing number of visitors.
The centre would accommodate more than 150,000 visitors every year and help the community benefit from a high volume of traffic, he said.
The centre includes the Gateway Experience, an interactive area where visitors learn about the history, wildlife and geology of the area."We always wanted [the centre] to tell three stories. One was the wildlife, one was the Gondwanaland eruption that led to the petrified forest, the other was the iwi link with the area, and I think with what we've got in there, we've managed to do that," Mr Duffy said.
Venture Southland tourism and events manager Bobbi Brown, who has been working on the project since day one, said while she was both "proud and relieved" to see the building open, the most important thing was telling the story of the area.
"[Tumu Toka Curioscape] actually represents people's heart and soul. It's the story that it tells that we're able to now share with people. The building is just a shell."
The visitor centre is part of a complete overhaul of the area, which includes a $1million wastewater treatment system installed by the Southland District Council last year, and $850,000 invested by the Department of Conservation for a new car park, walking treks, and signage.
- Sharon Reece
