Article

| 10 August 2009

The $17 million project will be funded through local and central government, as well as through contributions from the community including individuals, families and businesses.

Mayor of Napier City Barbara Arnott believes redeveloping the Museum will create a fitting home for the Museum's collection and secure a prime Marine Parade site for generations to come.
"By making a firm, long-term commitment to the Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery we are ensuring an iconic site in Napier is held in public ownership for as many generations as we can practically plan for," said Ms Arnott. "Alongside that, the collections housed here are owned by the people of Hawke's Bay and we need to respect the fact we are custodians of that history."

The redevelopment makes full use of the existing architectural features, showing them off to their fullest.  It also adds more storage, work space and archive rooms than are currently available at the site. A work by New Zealand artists Sara Hughes will run the length and height of the facade of the new building creating a striking first impression for visitors.