• The current Isel facility has reached end-of-life. The building is compromised by asbestos, leaks, aged wiring, is in an inundation zone (flooding risk) and no longer meets modern museum standards.  It’s also at full capacity and the museum is already storing the collection in multiple sites.  

• The Isel facility is also too cramped to be used by schools, iwi, community and research groups. 

• In a 2025 building report by Kaupapa Projects, it stated, “specifically for a building housing collections of significant cultural value, the building is unfit in almost every measurable criteria.” 

• In 2019, the museum had planned to build the ARC in Church Street, Nelson. However, with Central Government closing the Regional Heritage Fund in 2024, the Church Street project has become financially unviable.  

• After an exhaustive review of options, building a new, fit-for-purpose facility on a new greenfield site in Richmond has emerged as the preferred and most financially sustainable option. 

• The proposal is for a single-story building, resulting in lower construction costs (no lift or stairwell, more efficient use of space, and quicker to build).  

• Crucially, we have agreed on a fixed build contractso no further financial contribution will be required for the build. 

• This proposal will deliver significant operational and accessibility benefits. In addition, more space will accommodate the growing collection.  

• The new facility will be over 1500m2 with secure, climate-controlled storage for the long-term preservation of the collection that meets international standards 

• Modern shelving and housing for objects of all sizes and materials 

• Conservation and research work areas for staff  

• 30% more space to accommodate the growing collection and room for future expansion 

• Easy, free parking for researchers, whānau, school groups, and kaumatua 

• Designed with kaumatua accessibility and the care of taonga Māori at its core 

• Opportunities to expanded education services and outreach 

• It will protect taonga and objects that represent our shared histories of the region for future generations. 

• It will make more of the collection available and accessible for exhibitions, schools, researchers and the community 

• It strengthens partnerships with iwi/hapū for the safe care of taonga. 

• It supports local pride and tourism by safeguarding Nelson Tasman’s heritage. 

• The total budgeted project cost is $9.8 million 

• $7.15m of the total cost is a fixed-price build, which has been rigorously reviewed by a quantity surveyor and identified as ‘competitive and below independent estimate’ 

• The new proposal reduces the estimated cost of the project by $6 million (from the original $14.9 million budget) and still delivers a fit-for-purpose facility. $3M was set aside in 2018 by Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council in 2021 to fund the project. 

• With Council contributions, cash reserves, loans, grants and the sale of the Church Street site the museum has $8.6m committed towards the project. The remaining $1.12m funding shortfall required for furniture, fittings, shelving and the collection relocation will be covered by community fundraising, sponsorship and grants.

• This project will not cost ratepayers any more money because the two councils have already budgeted for the project in their Long Term Plans 

• The museum has already secured $700,000 in pledged funds.  

• The total budgeted project cost is $9.8 million.

• $7.15m of the total project cost is a fixed-price build, which is inclusive of contingency & provisional sum, mechanical & HVAC, consenting fees and contractor margins) This has been rigorously reviewed by a quantity surveyor and identified as ‘competitive and below independent estimate.’

• $1,120,000 of the project cost is for FF&E (Furniture, Fittings & Equipment), collection shelving and the relocation of the collection

• $1,529,711 of the project cost is for project management, procurement, interest and site purchase

The museum is proposing to build a single-story, purpose-built archives, research and collections facility in Richmond, Tasman. The actual museum will remain in Nelson City centre.  

• Construction is expected to begin in early 2026 once funding for the project has been confirmed. The museum has been advised that it will be an approximately 18-month build. 

• Updates will be shared regularly through our website, newsletters, and social media. 

• Without a new facility, many of our precious taonga and heritage objects risk damage or loss from overcrowding, poor environmental conditions, and restricted access. 

• Operational cost to care for the collection and for a future building will increase. region that are not climate-controlled or designed for museum collection preservation. 

• The museum will lose the funding that has already been pledged to the project. 

• The Richmond site has already attracted interest by other parties, and the museum has a MOU with the developers only for a limited time 

Nelson City Council is currently consulting with the public on the proposed new ARC Facility site in Richmond. Your support and voice are vital to ensure this important community project goes ahead.  

You can support the project by: 

• Submitting feedback on the proposal online via the consultation website Shape Nelson. The consultation form is quick and simple - it only takes a minute to complete with your basic details and a tick of support. 

Submissions close Friday 29 August at 12pm.  

• Share this message with your friends, family, or colleagues to encourage them to have their say 

• Post on social media using #ISupportARC to spread the word 

• Follow our social media for important updat