Major project for Te Puia

By ABIGAIL CASPARI in Rotorua
Rotorua's Te Puia has been given the green light for a major $20 million development.

Te Puia, formerly known as the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, announced yesterday it has been granted resource consent to build a new visitor centre, art gallery, carving and weaving schools, and create an interactive virtual tour of the mud pools and geysers.

Chief executive Andrew Te Whaiti said the new complex would be built at the top of the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley, opposite Waiariki Institute of Technology.

The company is re-investing its own money into the project with no Government funding. Building will begin in April.

"The challenge is to create an experience for visitors to see the world through the eyes of Maori and develop an understanding of our culture, arts and crafts by using a variety of media and sensory activities," Mr Te Whaiti said.

The visitor centre will feature extensive exterior carvings telling the story of Whakarewarewa Valley.

Te Puia will work closely with the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Tourism, Treasury, Tourism New Zealand, Office of Treaty Settlements, Rotorua District Council and the Historic Places Trust to ensure the development protects and enhances the natural environment of the Whakarewarewa Valley and guarantees its sustainability as a world class tourism destination.