Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell described the ceremony as a major moment for the city, saying the restored Bath House remains a treasured landmark at the heart of the community.
The next stage will focus on creating and installing the exhibitions that will eventually fill the museum. During the ceremony, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced $2 million from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund to support completion of the exhibition project. The additional funding gives the council greater certainty as it works towards reopening the museum to the public in 2028.
Council chief executive Andrew Moraes said more than 300 people contributed to the restoration over 110 weeks on site. The work included installing 56,000 roof tiles and manually removing about 1,000 cubic metres of material from the basement. Specialist engineering, heritage and construction expertise was required throughout the project.
The restored Bath House is a Category 1 heritage building and one of Rotorua’s best-known landmarks. It first opened in 1908 as a government spa and later became home to the city’s museum. Its location in Government Gardens also carries deep cultural significance, with the land associated with the building gifted by Ngāti Whakaue.
Although the construction phase is complete, the museum is not yet reopening. Work now turns to exhibition development and the careful return and installation of taonga and collection items. The council says the future exhibitions will be shaped by engagement with Rotorua communities, iwi and Te Arawa, with the aim of reflecting the people, places and stories of the district.
The council has also indicated that opportunities for the public to visit the restored building will be announced before the full museum reopening. The formal reopening remains targeted for 2028.
Source: Rotorua Lakes Council media release, 28 September 2026. Additional verification: Rotorua Lakes Council and Rotorua Museum official project information.
