Stewart Island Rakiura's museum was first built in 1960 - to house an abundance of island treasures. Back then, it cost the thousands of tourists coming to the island 50 cents to get in and see the displays which cover early whaling in the area, sealing, boat building, and natural history. But the Rakiura Museum ran out of room, and plans were hatched to build a new one. The three million dollar centre is now, after a couple of setbacks, due to open on the first of December.