Picture above: John Clark, senior attendant at Auckland Museum, casts a quizzical eye upwards at the large bandaged Moa

Auckland War Memorial Museum is undergoing a $NZ43.5 million refurbishment project. The five year long project, is now just 18 months from completion.

During the past three years the front end of the museum has been seismically strengthened by the addition of reinforced concrete shells in the former light wells.

Much of the work hidden to the public has been the upgrade of the plumbing, drainage and electrical services, with ventilation and air conditioning services being installed for the first time. Externally the fabric of the building is being strengthened and made waterproof.

At the same time the Museum's displays are being progressively replaced. Auckland's old favourite, Centennial Street - now Auckland 1866 - has been revived. A new gallery of Asian decorative arts and Mackelvie collection art works will open at the museum in a few weeks time.