Guests included 300 schoolchildren from kura around Gisborne who provided supporting waiata during the ceremony, led by Papa Pura.
Comments expressed in the whaikōrero by Taharakau Stewart of Rongowhakaata and Tā Derek Lardelli were reinforced by former Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon who also spoke in te reo.
Their messages were that despite the challenges we’ve had — with Covid, Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events — what we have here with Kiwa Pools shows our true colours. Despite adversity, we’ve shown how a community can work together to get a result like this.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz says Kiwa Pools is a place where lots of love and laughter will be shared.
“Our community deserves a complex like this, where we can relax, swim and play together,” she said.
“Where we can all come together as a community to recharge our batteries — this will be our charging station.”
Mayor Stoltz thanked the Government for investing in the community.
The construction of Kiwa Pools was supported by $40 million in funding from the Government as part of its nationwide Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) funding in October 2022 announced by then-Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern at the Olympic Pools Complex.
Crown Infrastructure Partners’ (CIP) chief executive Graham Mitchell said the Kiwa Pools project was chosen out of $138 billion worth of other bids all competing for this funding.
“When we saw this project, we didn’t hesitate to put it forward. This region has been under-invested in for some time.
“This project has been a great collaboration between central government, iwi, and local council. Future champions will train here.”
Kiwa Pools came in on budget at $46m with the council contributing the balance towards the project.
The complex has been co-designed by Ngāi Tāwhiri hapū, Gisborne District Council and Apollo Projects.
Tā Derek Lardelli worked with Architecture HDT and Apollo Projects ensuring the narrative of our region’s heritage was embedded into the design of Kiwa Pools.
Apollo director Paul Lloyd said over the 22 years they’ve been in business the company has completed hundreds of projects.
“Every project has a story to tell. This project won’t just leave a story but a legacy, and not just on your community but with Apollo, and also personally with me and my wife.
“I remember the first meeting with Sir Derek Lardelli and Lady Rose, where he told me Kiwa Pools is not a place people come to swim, it will be a place where people come to learn.”
Mr Lloyd acknowledged the leadership of Gisborne District Council to ensure and demand this was a co-designed project with tangata whenua.
Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said it was a truly monumental occasion to open Kiwa Pools, one that had come through countless hours of hard work.
“We have deep gratitude for Ngāi Tāwhiri, whose land we stand on today, and thank you for sharing it with our community.”
Ms Thatcher Swann says she had worked to bring about a new pool for the community since starting at the council 15 years ago.
She thanked the talented and hard-working partners and contractors who’d poured that into the complex and worked through supply chain issues, Covid lockdowns, severe weather and five states of emergency to ensure the pool was open only five months shy of the original March target.
The collaboration for the build was represented by having three pairs of scissors for the ribbon cutting.
Further external funding has meant the complex was completed with a hydrotherapy pool, and solar panels on the roof to supplement the energy use of the pool.
The previous ageing Olympic Pool Complex closed to the public on Sunday, August 20.
The new facility boasts good access for people with disabilities, a leisure and toddlers’ pool, The Rising Sun Cafe, a learn-to-swim/hydrotherapy pool, event hire room for birthday parties or meetings, a hydrotherapy pool suite with hoist, a large pool deck that allows plenty of event seating, and a 50m x 20m multi-use pool with moveable floor.
Former Mayor Meng Foon was on hand for this week’s celebrations and congratulated all involved.
“I’m tremendously proud that in my term we got the pool project to being spade ready.
“I’m very pleased to see that we have a 50m first-class pool.
“I want to acknowledge the PGF fund for the financial support. The PGF has provided a great stimulus for many Taiarawhiti projects.”
Mr Foon said the project was an example of what could be achieved with the council working alongside Ngāi Tāwhiri, in regard to establishing visual design with a strong whakapapa base.
Keep up to date with the Kiwa Pools Facebook page.
Visit Council’s website for more information on Kiwa Pools. https://
www.gdc.govt.nz/recreation/Kiwa-Pools
