14 February 2012

Official Opening for Raglan Museum And Information Centre

The new Raglan and District Museum (Te Whare Taonga o Whaingaroa) and Raglan Information Centre (Te Puna Koorero o Whaingaroa) on Wainui Road, Raglan will be officially opened on Monday 20 February 2012 by Waikato district mayor, Allan Sanson.

The invitation-only event follows a community open day, blessing and karakia on 12 November 2011, when the taonga were first moved into the new museum.

The guest list for Monday includes sponsors and funders, individuals and organisations involved with the project, community representatives, Ngaati Maahanga, and members of the Raglan Museum Society.

“The new museum is the culmination of efforts by the Raglan and District Museum Society, Waikato District Council, and many other parties, and we certainly wouldn’t have this facility if it was not for the sponsors and funders,” said Raglan resident and councillor Clint Baddeley.

Cr Baddeley had been a key advocate in the long-running campaign for a new building to house Raglan’s museum.

“About seven years ago the museum was located in the old fire station building on Wainui Road but it was far from adequate,” said Cr Baddeley.

“The museum committee wanted a new building and I took an interest in the project on the basis a new building would be multi-use, and showcase both historic and cultural aspects that make Raglan special and unique.”

After Cr Baddeley went to Wellington to meet with the then-Minister for Arts and Culture Judith Tizard, Mrs Tizard visited Raglan to see the old museum. She agreed to lend her support to the campaign for a new building.

Cr Baddeley said this was at a time when Raglan was rapidly growing in popularity, both as a tourist destination and as a place to live. He said it made sense to also have the information centre in the same building as the museum.

“The idea was to build something different for Raglan and to show Raglan life. The new museum is a distinctly Raglan feature.”

ENDS

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