24 Nov 2016

Niue High Comm disappointed it's taken so long to replace museum

12:57 pm on 24 November 2016
The Niue High Commissioner to New Zealand O'Love Jacobsen.

The Niue High Commissioner to New Zealand O'Love Jacobsen. Photo: RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Niue's High Commissioner to New Zealand says a new museum will be great for the country but it's disappointing it has taken more than a decade to replace the old one.

The New Zealand Government is providing $US two million for the new cultural centre, which will also include an auditorium, stage, library and archives.

High Commissioner O'Love Jacobsen said Niueans had been lacking a place to go to learn about their culture since the old museum was destroyed by Cyclone Heta in 2004.

She said she was thankful for New Zealand's generosity but it was a shame it had taken so long to find the funding.

"Personally for me it is disappointing because it's well over ten years now since the cyclone and many of our artefacts have been just sitting out in the open and it quickens the wear and tear."

O'Love Jacobsen said it had been difficult for Niue to find resources elsewhere for the project.