Official Information Request - Rotorua Museum

Sent: Thursday, 18 May 2023 3:44 pm
Subject: Official Information Act request - damage to Rotorua Museum

I refer to your Official Information Act request of 10 May 2023 for information held by the Council in respect of the specific damage allegedly caused by the Kaikōura earthquake to the Rotorua Museum building, also known as the Bathhouse building, situated in the government Gardens, Rotorua.

Attached is a Crack Survey Report prepared in December 2016. Following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake near Kaikōura that occurred on 14 November 2016, staff discovered additional cracks in the pumice walls and floors of the Museum building. Many of the cracks had largely existed before the event, however some were new cracks and the attached report was commissioned.

As noted above, not all the cracks can be specifically attributed to the earthquake. However, a rapid seismic assessment the following day concluded that further assessment was required. As a precautionary measure and in the interest of staff and public safety the building was closed on 18 November 2016.