A financial boost has been given to Invercargill’s new museum build.
In the first successful funding application for Project 1225, the Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT) group has added $500,000 towards building the museum.
In 2022, as part of the Long-term Plan, the council agreed to invest $39.4million to develop a 3550sqm museum at Queens Park, which included building a storage facility at Tisbury as well as a new home for the city’s tuatara.
The project was named Project 1225 to reflect the date the museum base build will be completed, in December 2025.
The museum itself is expected to open to the public in the second half of 2026, when the fit-out is complete.
Council chief executive Michael Day said the project was beginning to gain traction and that funding would maintain the momentum.
"This grant shows us our community is just as excited about Project 1225 as we are. We are incredibly grateful that ILT has backed us in this venture.
"My sincere thanks go to the board, who made the decision to support the rebuild."
The ILT’s grant has kicked off external funding for the project in support of the rebuild.
Council group manager leisure and recreation Steve Gibling said the museum rebuild team had a lot of great ideas and the funding would go a long way towards seeing them through.
"We know the community want a museum open and with every one of these milestones, we get a few steps closer to that being a reality."
ILT chairman Paddy O’Brien said the trust had a proud history of supporting key facilities and landmarks in Invercargill.
"We’re thrilled to continue this tradition by kick-starting the funding for Project 1225. We understand the importance of preserving our history and cultural heritage, and we know the new museum will be a valuable asset for our community.
"We are encouraged by the progress to date and look forward to the museum’s completion, knowing it will provide a space for local families and visitors alike, to experience and share our rich history."
