Museum opening delay continues amid budget concerns

Budget constraints and the development of a new volunteer program have seen a long delay to the reopening of Marlborough Museum

Five months after a management reshuffle saw the Brayshaw Park museum close, its doors remain locked, with no opening date in sight.

Council have confirmed staff are currently putting a volunteer programme in place and regular open days will be put in place.

But with no timeline yet available, Marlborough Historical Society members are disappointed over the lack of action.

Society President Dr Paul Davidson said they were still disappointed that the Museum was not open to the public after five months of closure.

“Unfortunately, when all the existing staff were made redundant in June and a new Council team moved in, a great deal of institutional knowledge and experience was lost.

“But it's still hard to see why the Museum can't be opened, especially as the visitor season is upon us."

The Museum was built by the Marlborough Historical Society in 1990 and in 2016 transferred to the Marlborough Heritage Trust.

That Trust is in the process of winding-up and transferring the building back to the Historical Society.

Council have taken over management of the museum following a shake up earlier this year.

Dr Davidson says society members are keen to work in partnership with Council to ensure a secure long-term future for the Museum and Beavertown Village.

He says stalled negotiations and have only just begun.

"Hopefully the outcome will be worth the wait,” he says.

Marlborough District Council’s Manager Economic, Community & Support Services Dean Heiford says the museum remains open by appointment.

Plans to reopen are progressing, he says.

“No official opening date has been set yet.

“Council is progressing the implementation of regular public open days at the museum, balancing this against staffing capacity and budget constraints.

“A volunteer database has been developed and procedures and policies are being developed to implement a new and engaging volunteer program which will include supporting the opening hours for the museum.”

The Marlborough Museum is open to the public by appointment for groups and schools. The museum and archives are open, by appointment only, and the public are welcome to book via email to

More volunteers are welcome and if people are interested, please email the museum on marlboroughmuseum@marlborough.govt.nz