Tawhiti Museum impresses Key

JONATHAN CAMERON

SHOW PIECE: Nigel Ogle escorts Prime Minister John Key through the new exhibition at the Tawhiti Museum.

Prime Minister John Key found the new attraction at South Taranaki's Tawhiti Museum to be "a mind-blowing experience".

"I'll call back again some time. There's a lot to see here, actually," he said.

It was a busy day for Mr Key, with official openings of the Kupe production station, the TSB Hub and the museum's Traders and Whalers attraction.

"Three very different but great things to be involved with.

"Kupe is a massive investment, bringing jobs and opportunities and the Hub is going to be a focal point for the community. The museum is absolutely brilliant," he said.

His day kicked off with a tour around the now fully operational $1.3 billion Kupe oil and gas production station and a helicopter ride to the offshore platform.

Later, on the subject of health and safety, Mr Key told the crowd of oil and gas industry players and politicians, he had been offered the survival suit he had worn on the flight.

"I think every prime minister should have a survival suit. I might even take the earmuffs with me too and wear them in Cabinet."

On a more serious note, Mr Key said Kupe was an important project that was expected to play a critical role in securing New Zealand's future gas supply needs.

It fitted in with two things the National Government was trying to do, make New Zealand more energy self-sufficient and lift the country's exports.

At peak, Kupe is estimated to produce 10 to 15 per cent of New Zealand's annual gas demand and 50 per cent of its LPG.

About 400 people welcomed Mr Key outside the TSB Hub sports and recreation facility in Hawera.

A lengthy powhiri left Mr Key barely enough time for a quick tour of the complex, a meet and greet and a sandwich before he was raced off to Tawhiti Museum.

After speeches and shaking hands with museum owner and creator Nigel Ogle, he took a boat trip around the new attraction Traders and Whalers.

"I'm quite blown away," he said.

"It was much more impressive than I thought it would be. People should come and have a look."

Mr Ogle said he was "thrilled and honoured" to have a visit from Mr Key, who is also the Minister of Tourism.

"It may help put us on the map," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News