Maui pipeline rupture forces museum closure

Waikato Museum will close for at least three days as a result of the Maui gas pipeline rupture.

Museum director Kate Vusoniwailala said that with gas supply to the facility disrupted, the museum’s ability to control internal environmental conditions was affected.

Ms Vusoniwailala said the best way to control the environment and temperature inside the museum was to close the doors altogether.

“The Waikato Museum holds many precious objects, and we are required to protect them by maintaining strict temperature and humidity levels, to preserve these objects,” she said.

Museum staff would meet daily to assess the situation, and if the humidity or temperature inside the building fluctuated, more measures to protect the exhibits would be taken.

The museum’s website – www.waikatomuseum.co.nz – and its Facebook page would be updated with new information as it became available.