New Taranaki museum.

(From The Dominion Post)

AFTER years of planning, New Plymouth's new $20 million library and museum complex will be formally opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark on June 14.

Puke Ariki manager Suzanne Porter says the complex is the largest cultural project ever undertaken in the Taranaki region and is unique.

It was the first time one facility had merged a museum, library and visitor information centre. Combined, they offered far more than they could individually, she said.

"Visit the library to research a project on insects, and next to the books you'll find displays of spectacular specimens. Visit the galleries to see age-old artefacts …