Roof shout for Forrester Gallery extension

Published on 31 October 2025

Keegan Murphy of Naylor Love, Mayor Mel Tavendale and Emily Wise of Verve Projects

Mayor Tavendale, former Gallery directors and Friends of the Forrester given site tour.

Last Wednesday saw a special roof shout for the contractors working on the Forrester Gallery extension, celebrating eight months of progress as the extension has risen up behind the Bank of New South Wales building on Thames Street.

As the workers downed tools to enjoy a lunchtime BBQ, Mayor Tavendale was given a site-tour along with former Gallery directors and Friends of the Forrester Gallery members.

Naylor Love’s Keegan Murphy welcomed the visitors, “It’s been a massive effort over the last eight months to get to this point from our team, and our subcontractors, and that’s something we can all be really proud of. We’re looking to be weathertight by the end of November, and handing it over to Council for fit-out in early February”

Melanie Tavendale, Mayor of the Waitaki District, was also pleased with the progress: “These projects are so important for our community, and funding it from outside of rates funding by the grant provided by the Government is a big win for the Waitaki District. To see it turn from plans on paper into this building is amazing!”

Chloe Searle, Arts, Culture & Libraries Manager, said: “Incredible progress on this project, and thanks to everyone on the construction side – but also the many people and groups – our funders at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the awesome work from the Friends of the Forrester Gallery and lots of other funders big and small who have played their part in bringing this dream to life”

This Forrester Gallery extension is thanks to external funds granted to Waitaki District Council and the Friends of the Forrester Gallery from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Regional Culture and Heritage Fund, Lottery Environment and Heritage, the John Westwood Christie Trust, the Alexander McMillan Trust, the Stout Trust, a bequest from Ivan Hunter Main and extensive community fundraising by the Friends of the Forrester Gallery.

The current proposed opening for the Forrester Gallery extension is Mid-2026.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz

 

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