The new entry and exhibition space at the National Army Museum Te Mata Toa in Waiouru was opened with a blessing by the local iwi. Photo / supplied
The new entry and exhibition space at the National Army Museum Te Mata Toa in Waiouru was opened with a blessing by the local iwi. Photo / supplied
A large new building was opened last week with a special blessing by local iwi at the National Army Museum Te Mata Toa in Waiouru.
The new space is an improved entry for visitors and also home to a large exhibition gallery and council run iSITE.
Marketing manager Nicola Bennett said the new entrance was all about improving visitor experience
"We want a compelling 'meet and greet' space and to improve visitor flow."
The new exhibition gallery is the museum's largest and means there will be more scope to host a wider range of exhibitions and artefacts including large objects, she said. The next exhibition opening in early December is called Passchendaele - a descent into hell and coincides with the centenary of the Western Front battle during World War I.
"The inclusion of an iSITE made sense given the large number of inquiries the museum fields from visitors passing through and the council's desire to establish an iSITE in Ruapehu's southern gateway."
The $2.5 million entryway project was funded by the museum's trust board with the help of the Lotteries Board, and also includes an expanded and fully refurbished retail gift shop.
