Funding the Vision: Te Unua 2024

Where should we focus funding for Te Unua Museum of Southland?

The redevelopment of the Southland Museum and Art Gallery has been the subject of discussion in the local community for the past 10 years and in April 2018, the facility was closed for safety reasons.

Read the consultation document here.

The project to redevelop the museum came about after consultation with the community showed they wanted to see a new build in Queens Park. As part of the wider project, dubbed Project 1225, this year saw the opening of, Te Pātaka Taoka Southern Regional Collections Facility in February to house the regional museum collections, and Te Moutere – Tuatara Island in June to house our taonga tuatara in Queens Park.

Demolition of the former museum was recently completed in preparation for the build to commence.

In July, Councillors received an update on Te Unua Museum of Southland, including evolved designs and cost projections. Officers also confirmed that the budget that has been allocated is insufficient to deliver the museum and experience desired, and if the project is to go ahead as designed, it will cost an additional $13 million to build.

In addition to this, there is potential for an external funding shortfall of $6.6 million. Council is underwriting the external funding, while still seeking other funding options there remains the possibility that if not successful, Council will need to borrow more to fund the project.

Because of this new information on cost, at the 30 July Council meeting, Councillors agreed to consult with our community again.

Is there wiggle room in the budget?

Council has committed to providing a high-standard build without the delays that would occur if we were to halt work and rescope the project. Councillors identified some options where budget could be reconsidered, which are:

Option 1: Moving ahead as designed and now costed increase in cost $13.0 million, 1.02% indicative increase in rates

Option 2: Removing the Green Star Accreditation – estimated increase in cost $12.1 million, 0.96% indicative increase in rates

Option 3: Council’s preferred option is somewhere in the middle, aiming to balance rate rises while still providing the museum our community has been asking for by removing the Green Star credentials, and delaying the planned car park, but retaining the existing levels of interactive digital experience – estimated increase in cost $10.6 million, 0.84% indicative increase in rates

Option 4: Option 3 with Reduced digital experience from High Level (roughly 70:30) to Medium Level or Low Level. Medium level – estimated increase in cost of $9 million, 0.71% indicative increase in rates. Low Level – estimated increase in cost $7 million, 0.55% indicative rates increase.

You can read more about these options here.

What we need to know from our community

Council want to hear from you on the best way to address the funding challenges while still delivering a new museum that is a unique and compelling destination for locals and visitors alike.

We want you to rank your preferred options for how we can adjust the budget, but still deliver the vision for Te Unua Museum of Southland, with 1 being your most preferred option, and 4 being your least preferred option.

Let us know what you think by 5pm Monday 23 September.