Hihiaua cultural centre gets $500,000 nod

GREEN LIGHT: Richard Drake (left), Justice-Te Amorangi Hetaraka and trustee Te Warahi Hetaraka check out the model of the new cultural centre.PHOTO/JOHN STONE

A second long awaited "H" project for Whangarei has been given the green light.

Hihiaua Cultural Centre looks set to establish itself as the bookend of the Town Basin, with Whangarei District Council granting the mixed-use Maori cultural precinct $500,000 for its first stage of development.

Expected to cost up to $20 million in its finished form, the centre will sprawl on to the reclaimed land at Hihiaua Peninsula between Reyburn Lane and the Waka & Wave sculpture.

Hihiaua Cultural Centre Trust chairman Richard Drake said the idea of a Maori cultural hub at the peninsula had been mentioned in district council documents since 1992.

The first stage of development will include the building of a new waka shelter and launching gantry, and a revamp of the Herekino St shed where Te Wananga O Aotearoa and new charter school Te Kapehu Whetu are holding classes. The shed will include a raranga [weaving] workshop and an area for the public to view carving and other cultural activities.

"As well as providing the opportunity to teach and train people, it will be a hub that can draw attention to other cultural and historical places in our district," Mr Drake said. "Thousands of people walk through Cameron St Mall each day, but few pause to see and appreciate the 110 bronze plaques of the Millennium Timeline."

Mr Drake said the centre could progress in tandem with the planned the Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Arts Centre (HWMAC).

"A lot of people see they would complement, others see it differently, we've avoided that debate," he said.

Prosper Northland Trust are the group behind the HWMAC and spokesman Barry Trass said the trust was extremely supportive of Hihiaua Cultural Centre.

He said he realised it had been frustrating for Hihiaua backers when council agreed to fund $2.8 million of seismic strengthening for the Old Harbour Board Building, while the Maori precinct project languished.

"We've always said the two projects go hand in hand. We've had discussions between the two trusts around how to get both up and running - it's only fair council has [given funding for the Hihiaua project]. It really adds to what we're trying to do," Mr Trass said.

While both buildings would contain Maori art, Mr Trass said the HWMAC would focus on contemporary pieces, while Hihiaua would likely feature traditional art and its methods. The Hihiaua centre funding was worked into council's 2015-2025 Long Term Plan during the final stages of consultation.

The LTP also set aside $10 million for a conference centre and theatre complex.

Mr Drake said a theatre had always been a central part of the Hihiaua plans and was aiming to meet with council to see if this could be developed to meet the needs of the wider community.