Invercargill city councillors have unanimously agreed on a proposed pathway forward for the city’s much-loved museum, following months of doubt, discussion, and anguish. 

Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt today acknowledged the community and councillors' strong desire to see the pyramid reopened.

The community will now be consulted as part of the Long-Term Plan process, to see whether it supports strengthening and refurbishing the museum on its current site at an estimated cost of $52.2 million. 

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The council briefed the media about the decision at a conference at 1pm today.

The report was discussed by the Infrastructural Services Committee on Tuesday December 1.

It outlined five options to reopen a museum, and councillors discussed which option they preferred. 

“By choosing the option that we have, it will be affordable for council. Rather than having more delays we will be able to start work next year, should the community support our proposed option,” Sir Tim said. 

Chair Ian Pottinger said the report was a fantastic in-depth look at all the options for the future of the museum. 

“Those options ranged from the bare minimum patch it up and move on to a brand new build,” he said. 

“Councillors felt strongly the bare minimum wasn’t truly an option. It wouldn’t be fair to our community as it would not future-proof the building or honour the collection within,” he said. 

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Performance, Policy and Partnerships Committee Chair and Southland Museum and Art Gallery Trust Board Chair Darren Ludlow said having clarity about who owned the museum building had simplified matters, and the council was happy to take full responsibility for the project. 

“We are also fortunate to have the fantastic He Waka Tuia open. There is a cultural heart to the city with talented staff showcasing our heritage from this transitional museum space.” 

Deputy mayor Nobby Clark said if the community agreed with the proposed pathway forward, he was delighted the council would be able to move quickly on getting work underway. 

“In this LTP, councillors wanted to ensure we placed a greater emphasis on heritage, arts, and culture than in previous LTPs,” he said. 

Councillors had thoroughly discussed what their preferred option would be and had considered wider budgeting needs as part of those discussions. 

“We felt this was the best long-term option, and it will save us having to revisit it in 15-20 years,” Cr Clark said. 

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The report identified five options for strengthening, refurbishment or rebuild of the museum, along with cost estimates and estimated timeframes for completion. 

Option A: Minimum refurbishment – 34% new build, $25.3m, 27 months

Option B: Minimum Refurbishment – 67% new build, $26.6m, 37 months 

Option C: (preferred option) Full Refurbishment – 67% new build, $52.5m, 37 months 

Option D: New build, existing floor area – $75.4m, 48 months 

Option E: New build, expanded floor area – $85.5m, 48 months 

Cr Clark said while councillors had indicated option C was the preferred option, it would be subject to public consultation as part of the LTP. 

“We wanted to ensure we could start work as soon as possible, and option C will allow us to do that with the wider city budget being considered. 

“We are united in our approach, in that we want the community to be able to enjoy their museum once again, safely, and with the collection protected,” Cr Clark said.