One of Arrowtown's oldest buildings reopens after $3.5m seismic upgrade

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

From reporter Debbie Jamieson:

It has been protecting Arrowtown’s treasures for nearly 150 years, now the former Bank of New Zealand building has been on the receiving end of community care.

The 1875 building that sits on a prominent corner site in the Central Otago town has been part of the Lakes District Museum since 1953.

It was identified as an earthquake risk in 2018 and with a seismic strengthening bill of about $3.5 million to complete the work before 2025, the future was looking bleak, long time director David Clarke said.

“We tried to the put the word about amongst the community and hoped some benefactors would come to the party, but had limited success.



Without the funding, the bank building and attached stables, which form up to half of the museum space, would have closed down.

It was only with the arrival of Covid-19 in the community and the implementation of the government’s Provincial Growth Fund that the museum was able to secure the funds it needed.

It received $2m from the fund, $1.04m from the Queenstown Lakes District Council and a grant of $456,000 from the Central Lakes Trust to upgrade internal displays.


It took three years to complete the work, which included reinstating a parapet and six chimneys, which were part of the original design in 1875 by architect Robert Lawson.

While it is the museum for the Queenstown Lakes District, which includes the larger centres of Queenstown and Wānaka, the building is also part of the distinctive Arrowtown heritage zone.

Opposite the building sit the historic Arrowtown Post Office, which still operates as a modern post shop, and another earthquake-strengthened historic building, the Fork and Tap pub.

Clarke said it was “amazing” to finish the project, which will officially open on Friday.

“It is the realisation of a lot of hard work from the staff and museum board. Of course, there’s been three years of noise and dust and all the anxiety of wondering what the future is.”


Unlike the many council-owned museums around New Zealand, the Lakes District Museum is owned and operated by a trust.

While it does receive regular council funding, it is constantly looking for the funds to survive and keep paying its staff of three fulltime and ten part-time workers.

“Covid made us realise we’re reliant on tourism dollars, but we are a museum for the community,” Clarke said.

There was also a shortfall of about $70,000 to be found from the project, he said.