A big celebration is being planned for the opening of the new $3.6 million Rakiura Museum and Heritage Centre on Stewart Island on December 1.

Rakiura Heritage Centre Trust chairwoman Margaret Hopkins, of Stewart Island, said the event would begin with a powhiri at 1pm.

Speakers and other dignitaries have not yet been finalised.

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“The ceremony will be outside at the new museum because of the high numbers expected to attend and will be a very special occasion for all who have Rakiura connections. 

“The museum’s comprehensive collection includes items of regional as well as national significance.

“Many New Zealanders come to Stewart Island tracing their ancestry and wanting to learn more about New Zealand’s southern-most inhabited island. 

"Rakiura Museum will be a draw card for these visitors to the Island and will provide a much-needed attraction on rainy days," Mrs Hopkins said. 

For trustees of the combined Rakiura Heritage Centre Trust and Rakiura Heritage Trust, the opening of the new museum would be the culmination of more than 20 years of planning and fundraising.

The construction of the new museum was supported by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage, the New Zealand Lotteries Board, Community Trust South, Southland Regional Heritage Committee, Te Puni Kokiri, Stewart Island Visitor Levy, Stout Trust and private donors.

Mrs Hopkins said 2020 had been a year of many highs and lows for Stewart Island businesses and organisations. 

“The Rakiura Museum opening has been delayed by 3 months because of the Covid-19 lockdown, which has been very frustrating, especially as the Island has been so busy with visitors in recent months. We are hoping that this summer will continue to be busy with New Zealand travellers,” she said.