30 | Taranaki: Livingstone Building NZ T T Karen Phelps New civic centre on track in Hāwera Hāwera’s new multi-purpose civic centre Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga is progressing well and on track for completion later in 2024, says project coordinator Phil Waite. “The project has been relatively smooth so far due to good design, good contractors and good community support. There is high anticipation and expectation due to the project’s location and its significance,” he says. The name Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga was a special gift from local iwi Ngati Ruanui. It means the beacon or signal fire of Ruapūtahanga, a famous Taranaki Māori ancestress. Ruapūtahanga would light the beacon as a signal for Iwi to meet so they could talk, share ideas and knowledge. Phil says the name perfectly symbolises the centre’s purpose as a place for the community to meet in order to share information and gain knowledge. The journey towards completing the centre was significantly impacted by the global pandemic, experiencing setbacks due to material shortages caused by disrupted supply chains. The geological landscape presented its own hurdles with volcanic soil and a high water table, demanding meticulous efforts in laying foundations, employing screw piles. The project had its beginnings when South Taranaki District Council identified a need for a comprehensive space uniting library, arts, culture, and heritage services, designed to invigorate Hāwera’s town centre, fostering economic growth and community engagement. “In 2011 an independent review of all library services in South Taranaki identified that Hāwera’s Library was too small for the number of people using it, which limited the services and programmes normally provided by a modern library. The review recommended Council create a combined facility for library, arts, culture and heritage services,” says South Taranaki District Council’s Communication Manager Gerard Langford. “This recommendation was timely given that Council was also considering ways of revitalising Hāwera’s town centre in order to encourage private investment and keep existing and attract new residents and businesses to the district.” As part of its 2015 – 2025 Long Term Plan South Taranaki District Council decided to build a new civic facility, which would include a bigger library (including meeting rooms, computer suite and multi-use spaces), public toilets, art gallery, café, i-SITE visitor centre. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T T to page 32 “The project has been relatively smooth so far due to good design, good contractors and good community support. There is high anticipation and expectation due to the project’s location and its significance.” Building Supplies Unbeatable Service 1 KATERE ROAD, NEW PLYMOUTH PHONE: 06 759 7435 JAMES STREET, INGLEWOOD PHONE: 0800 245 535 Complete Range of Building Supplies PROUD TO BE SUPPORTING LIVINGSTONS www.valuebuilding.co.nz The architecture integrates a sawtooth roof design, paying homage to many of the old dairy factories around district that were built with a similar style roof line.
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