Council to consider key decision on opening timeline for new museum

The Invercargill City Council will next week consider a report outlining the latest progress and timelines for opening Te Unua Museum of Southland.

The report, published today, presented updated milestones following construction progress timeframes, extended public consultation, and the need for more time to support exhibition development and cultural partnership.

Council Group Manager Capital Portfolio Jamie Garnett said the report provided the most accurate picture yet, of the path forward for Southland’s new museum.

“The project to deliver Te Unua Museum of Southland to the people of Invercargill, and the wider region, has come a long way,” he said.

“We now have a clearer understanding of the significant complexities required to get the doors open, and deliver on our community’s expectations.”

The report confirmed that physical construction of the build was on track for completion in September 2026, with the full museum experience – including the development of the long-term Story of Southland exhibition, and securing temporary exhibitions – required development into 2027, he said.

The need to reset the project programme stemmed from several early project challenges, he said. That included pauses while vendors were confirmed, returning to public consultation after cost revisions, and delays in finalising key design and construction contracts.

“While the original timeline to deliver a new museum in Invercargill initially indicated a public opening date of 2027, that programme had been accelerated. However, those early efforts to accelerate the timeline underestimated the complexity of bringing a new museum to life from the ground up, particularly regarding the bespoke nature of museum exhibition design and the need to appropriately engage with mana whenua,” Garnett said.

“The early drive to fast-track delivery was ambitious, and it did not adequately account for the timeframes needed to deliver the project to align with our community’s expectations.”

The report sets out three options for how and when the museum could open:

• Option 1 – Full opening once complete (recommended option): Physical build construction completed September 2026; full museum opening in 2027 following completion of exhibitions and education, retail, café, and operational areas. No additional budget required.
• Option 2 – Partial opening in December 2026: Foyer, café, play space, and back-of-house areas opened only. Estimated additional cost of $500,000 - $1 million, and significant visitor limitations.
• Option 3 – Partial exhibitions opened in early 2027: Temporary exhibitions plus limited areas opened; long-term exhibition spaces opened later in 2027. Estimated additional cost of $1 million - $2 million, and uncertainty due to lack of confirmed touring exhibitions.

The Invercargill and Southland communities had repeatedly expressed their eagerness to see a new museum open, with strong support for doing the project once and doing it right, Garnett said.

“Southlanders want a museum they can be proud of. Invercargill City Council is committed to delivering an experience that celebrates the rich tapestry of our stories, people, and place.”

Councillors would consider the report and decide on their preferred option at their full Council meeting on Tuesday, 16 December.