| 125 COMMUNITY Upper Clutha Presbyterian Church: Breen Construction 23 Gordon Road, Wanaka | Phone: (03) 443 1260 Email: wanaka.reception@aoteaelectric.co.nz Supporting Wanaka Businesses with a 24/7 callout service T T Aimee Wilson New church a modern, flexible facility A Queenstown buyer has purchased the historic St Ninian’s Presbyterian Church in Hawea Flat for $439,000, with plans to keep it available for community events and hire. A new, purpose-built Lake Hawea Presbyterian church is on track to open in December, catering for a rapidly growing population. The congregation is part of the Upper Clutha Presbyterian Church, which operates from both St Andrew’s in Wanaka and the former St Ninian’s Church in Hawea Flat. The new church is located in the Longview subdivision, and is being built by Central Otago’s Breen Construction. The building company has been involved with church work before – mostly significant heritage restoration and structural strengthening work, across the Otago and Waitaki regions. The new Longview project is being led by Hawea pastor, Aaron Johnstone, who moved to the lakeside town along with wife Laura and three children, six years ago. The congregation outgrew its Hawea Flat church and moved out of St Ninian’s at the end of January this year. Church services have been held at the Lake Hawea Community Centre during 2026 while the impressive new community hub takes shape at Longview. Hawea Church will have a meeting room, kitchen, an auditorium to seat 200 people, a covered outdoor area and a small hall for the children’s church and other community events. Designed to accommodate local activities and events, the facility will provide space for a wide range of groups and services. “I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has been on the journey with us,” Aaron says. Central Lakes Trust gave the church $500,000 towards the construction of the facility, and the group also used proceeds from the sale of St Ninian’s. A Queenstown buyer purchased St Ninian’s Presbyterian Church in Hawea Flat for $439,000, with plans to keep it available for community events and hire. The 88-year-old church received thousands of views online when it was marketed for sale, and at least 300 enquiries worldwide. Aaron says the congregation remained committed to honouring the vision of their founders and continuing to serve the community in its new church at Longview subdivision, which is located several kilometres away between the Lake Hawea township and Hawea Flat. Contractors broke ground with a special ceremony in January 2026. “It’s designed to be modern and flexible, a place where people can come together, connect, and grow,” Aaron says.. The historic St Ninian’s Church was built in 1938 next to the Hawea Flat Kindergarten, and an attempt to keep the building in community ownership failed to gain enough funding. For 25 years, the old 88-year-old church has been used to host Hawea Mainly Music, and other weekly community meetings and courses. An official opening date and invitation to the Upper Clutha community for the new church will be announced in the coming months. EVENTS & WEDDINGS. SPECIALIST LIGHTING. STAGING. THEMEING. DRAPING. LIVE-STREAM. DIGITAL DISPLAYS. PA / SOUND EQUIPMENT. MIXING. SPEAKERS. Needgreat sound? Needgreat lighting? Needgreatvideo? Yes! It'sall ourspecialty. Contact us tomake your next Show, School Production, Formal, Festival and any event come alive.We have every entertainment solution (almost). email us: hello@yesevents.nz call us: 0274370330 PROUD TO INSTALL FOR HAWEA CHURCH EVENT GEAR HIRE & PERMANENT INSTALLS yesevents.nz
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