Rugby Museum to stay

THE New Zealand Rugby Museum ended weeks of speculation on its future today by announcing its desire to stay in Palmerston North and seek a co-location arrangement with Te Manawa in the heart of the CBD.



Museum chairman Clive Akers said its decision to co-locate with Te Manawa in Palmerston North offered the region an opportunity to capitalise on a unique tourist attraction.



The rugby museum currently operates out of a building in Cuba St near the main gates to Arena Manawatu.



Mr Akers said the success of the move would depend on the museum's ability to grow the number of visitors it currently attracted to the city.



"The Rugby Museum has a high reputation throughout the rugby world and over half of its present visitors are from overseas," he said. "For the present collection to be converted into an exhibition to attract non-rugby foreign tourists, much space is required, and Te Manawa has the space, location, and expertise.



"Using modern display techniques and the experience of Te Manawa exhibition staff our aim is to present a memorable rugby experience to all visitors, whether they are rugby fanatics or foreign tourists with little knowledge of the game. By understanding our passion for rugby, tourists will better understand New Zealanders.



"To achieve this, much emphasis will be placed on providing informative displays showcasing our national sport and how that sport has influenced the lives of New Zealanders," he said.



Mr Akers said careful planning was required over the next year as tourists and tour operators had high expectations of any new attraction and it would be a huge challenge to make a deep impression on them.



"I'm aware there may be some reservations about having a national gallery using locally owned premises but our region would be foolish to lose this opportunity to create a permanent and unique visitor attraction.


"Te Manawa attracts significant numbers of both domestic and international tourists - it makes sense to market together to strengthen the place of our region on the tourist route."



Mr Akers said planning and developing an iconic, world class exhibition would be expensive, as would the promotion and marketing of the region prior to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.



"But while 2011 is our immediate target for having Palmerston North as a mecca for touring rugby fans, our ultimate goal is to attract the regular tour buses that sometimes bypass our city - buses that contain tourists who will also visit other exhibitions at Te Manawa and spend time and dollars in the city and the wider region."



Te Manawa's acting executive director, Michael Ludbrook, was delighted with the co-location decision and felt the Rugby Museum's presence would help strengthen the central city's cultural precinct, which also encompassed the Convention Centre, Public Library, the Globe and Centrepoint Theatres.



"It means the Rugby Museum is staying in Palmerston North and will continue to be a key destination for visitors to Manawatu," he said.



Mr Ludbrook said an opportunity had now been created for all the relevant organisations to work together and leverage off one another's resources.



"Te Manawa is excited at what the future holds," he said.


The project has the full support of Palmerston North City Council.


“We are very excited about the move – it has great potential,” said Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor. “This project gives the city an unmissible opportunity to make a lasting impression on visitors.”



Mr Naylor said the Rugby Museum was developed in Palmerston North and was staying in Palmerston North to be a key destination for visitors to Manawatu.