Latest news with #TeUnuaMuseumofSouthland
Otago Daily Times
01-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Museum opening date should be known within 6 months
A date for the opening of Te Unua Museum of Southland should be known within six months. At the Invercargill City Council's infrastructure and projects committee meeting yesterday a report updating councillors on the progress of the build was tabled by independent project director Nick Hamlin. Mr Hamlin began the part-time role at the beginning of June. In the report Mr Hamlin outlined the factors that could put the project behind schedule and ways of mitigating those factors. Speaking to his report, Mr Hamlin said construction company Naylor Love was on target to finish the building on schedule in September next year. However, the risks identified were related to fitting out the museum, including the education and central foyer areas. During the discussion Cr Tom Campbell asked for reassurance those working on the project were committed to have at least part of the building opened by the planned date of Christmas next year. Mr Hamlin said at this point staff were working through the risks. "It would be remiss of us to commit to a timeline until we're really confident we've got those areas well-known and knowledged and a plan around them." Council capital portfolio group manager Jamie Garnett said it would take between three and six months for staff to be confident of an opening date. Cr Ian Pottinger said people he spoke to wanted to know when the museum would be open and if it would be on budget. Mr Garnett said there was no more money for the build apart from what had been budgeted for. "At this point of time we are working within our budget and contracting our major pieces of work within that budget." Cr Trish Boyle said the residents she chatted to wanted the museum "done and done right". Therefore she was not in favour of the museum being opened in stages. "It's important for us as a community to see what it is when it opens, not as it might be." Cr Darren Ludlow said he cautioned rushing the project. "There are risks in thumping the table and trying to put a magic date on it and get things to happen." When projects were sped up the costs increased, he said. Cr Steve Broad said he would sooner swallow his pride, wait a few more months and open a museum that was worthy of its residents. "For me on time is when it is ready for our community." Council chief executive Michael Day said the challenge of fitting out the museum would be finding staff to complete the work. Committee chairman Grant Dermody said it was important to remember how far the project had come in a short time. It was a "50-year asset for our community" and another 12 months would not change that, he said.
Otago Daily Times
04-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Museum development collaboration set
Work to bring the stories of Murihiku to life is well under way, after the Invercargill City Council and Waihōpai Rūnaka formalised an agreement to collaborate on developing Te Unua Museum of Southland. Waihōpai Rūnaka is working with the council on behalf of Kāi Tahu Kā Rūnaka ki Murihiku, which comprises Awarua, Waihōpai, Ōraka-Aparima and Hokonui Rūnaka, to develop the experience within the museum, according to a statement yesterday from the Invercargill City Council. Two workshops have been held by Kā Runaka alongside the council team, to determine kaupapa to guide exhibition development. Waihōpai Rūnaka chairman Cyril Gilroy said it was an exciting opportunity to share tribal stories with the wider Murihiku community. "Sadly, museums have often misrepresented Māori historically, telling personal stories without the involvement of mana whenua. "In Murihiku, this changes with Te Unua. "We're pleased to bring together our own cultural narratives and share them with our communities and visitors." Te Unua Museum of Southland museum director Eloise Wallace said it was crucial to work closely with mana whenua. "Ensuring the stories of mana whenua are celebrated within Te Unua Museum of Southland is extremely important in developing the experience for visitors to our facility," she said. "The abundance of stories and history found here in Murihiku are unlike those found anywhere else in the world. "Exploring these not only offers visitors to Te Unua Museum of Southland a deeper insight into what makes this part of Aotearoa so special, but also plays a role in preserving this legacy for everybody in our community — from tangata whenua to tauiwi — for generations. "We are really grateful to Kā Rūnaka for being willing to share their stories and taoka with our community. "It is a privilege we do not take lightly, and our team feels a deep sense of responsibility in sharing this rich cultural experience as an integral pou within our facility," Ms Wallace said. Mr Gilroy said a series of wānaka were being held with cultural and subject matter experts. Mana whenua would then work with the experience design team to craft immersive displays using the latest audiovisual technology. "They will go beyond our migration stories and broader Kāi Tahu history to include rich pūrakau unique to Murihiku. This will be the only museum in the country sharing these stories. "At Murihiku Marae, we are excited to share pūrakau about our surrounding mountains and waterways. "One example is the toheroa, or surf clam, found on Ōreti Beach." Te Unua Museum of Southland team leader experience David Dudfield said he was thrilled to begin exploring pūrakau with mana whenua. "There are few places within Aotearoa that have a history as rich as Murihiku and Te Ara a Kiwa [Foveaux Strait]," he said. "Our team is looking forward to collaborating with mana whenua, in partnership with our experience designers Gibson International, to share their stories with visitors from around the world." Cyril Gilroy said his vision for the museum was a space where all cultures and communities were represented. — APL
Scoop
01-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Council And Rūnaka Formalise Partnership For Development Of Te Unua Museum Of Southland
Mahi to bring the stories of Murihiku to life is well underway, after Invercargill City Council and Waihōpai Rūnaka formalised an agreement to collaborate on developing Te Unua Museum of Southland. Waihōpai Rūnaka is working with Council on behalf of Kāi Tahu Kā Rūnaka ki Murihiku (which includes Awarua, Waihōpai, Ōraka-Aparima, and Hokonui Rūnaka) to develop the experience within the museum. Two wānaka (workshops) have been held by Kā Runaka alongside the Council team, to determine kaupapa to guide exhibition development. Waihōpai Rūnaka Kaiwhakahaere (Chair) Cyril Gilroy said it was an exciting opportunity to share tribal stories with the wider Murihiku community. 'Each Rūnaka has its own pūrakau (stories) unique to their identity and the history of Murihiku. By sharing these stories, we invite our communities to walk in the footsteps of our tīpuna (ancestors). 'Sadly, museums have often misrepresented Māori historically, telling personal stories without the involvement of mana whenua. In Murihiku, this changes with Te Unua. We're pleased to bring together our own cultural narratives and share them with our communities and manuhiri (visitors).' Te Unua Museum of Southland Museum Director Eloise Wallace said it was crucial to work closely with mana whenua. 'Ensuring the stories of mana whenua are celebrated within Te Unua Museum of Southland is extremely important in developing the experience for visitors to our facility,' she said. 'The abundance of stories and history found here in Murihiku are unlike those found anywhere else in the world. Exploring these not only offers visitors to Te Unua Museum of Southland a deeper insight into what makes this part of Aotearoa so special, but also plays a role in preserving this legacy for everybody in our community – from tangata whenua to tauiwi – for generations. 'We are really grateful to Kā Rūnaka for being willing to share their stories and taoka with our community. It is a privilege we do not take lightly, and our team feels a deep sense of responsibility in sharing this rich cultural experience as an integral pou within our facility.' Cyril Gilroy said a series of wānaka are being held with cultural and subject matter experts. Mana whenua would then work with the experience design team to craft immersive displays using the latest audio-visual technology. 'They will go beyond our migration stories and broader Kāi Tahu history to include rich pūrakau unique to Murihiku. This will be the only museum in the country sharing these stories. 'At Murihiku Marae, we are excited to share pūrakau about our surrounding mauka (mountains) and waterways. One example is the toheroa (surf clam) found on Ōreti beach. It sustained our tīpuna and like tītī (mutton bird), was used for trade. More recently, mana whenua helped to protect it from overharvesting when canning factories threatened its population. Today, it is enjoyed by whānau all over Murihiku as a delicacy.' Te Unua Museum of Southland Team Leader Experience David Dudfield said he was thrilled to begin exploring pūrakau with mana whenua. 'There are few places within Aotearoa that have a history as rich as Murihiku and Te Ara a Kiwa (Foveaux Strait). Our team is looking forward to collaborating with mana whenua, in partnership with our experience designers Gibson International, to share their stories with visitors from around the world.' Cyril Gilroy said his vision for the museum was a space where all cultures and communities were represented. 'Te Unua marks the beginning of a new era for Murihiku. The knowledge and history contained within its walls represents the shared inheritance we will leave for our mokopuna.
