A plan by the Rotorua Energy Trust to build up the city's collection of art with a local connection, has been boosted by the purchase of a portrait of Tuhourangi ancestor Mihipeka Wairama for $150,000.
Trust chair Grahame Hall says Wairama lost her home at Te Wairoa in the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera.
Waatea News reports she settled in Whakarewarewa where she eventually became one of Charles Frederick Goldie's favourite models.
Mr Hall says it's the sixth Goldie bought for the heritage collection.
He says Rotorua's complete Goldie collection will be put on display when refurbishment work on the museum building is finished.
