New use for Kaitaia library building

Tenants have been found for most of the Far North District Council buildings that became surplus when Te Ahu opened in Kaitaia last year.

The latest of the buildings to find a new life is the former public library in Melba St which is now a bilingual early childhood centre, Nga Wawata o Te Whare Reo Rua o Kaitaia.

Months of planning and work went into the new centre before the provider was granted a Ministry of Education licence in early April.

Nga Wawata o Te Whare Reo Rua o Kaitaia pays a market rent to use the building and can cater for up to 40 children aged 2-5.

Centre manager Sherie Noble-Trembath said spaces were filling fast and the centre had started a waiting list for children under 2.

The former Far North Museum building has been renamed Pioneer House and is now home to the Far North Community Food Bank Trust and the Kaitaia People's Centre, a community information and advocacy provider. Both pay a market rent.

The Far North Museum Trust also uses the building for workshop and storage purposes free of charge.

The council is in talks with the Far North Environment Centre about renting the former i-Site building known as The Lighthouse for a sustainable living information and advice centre.

Meanwhile, Far North Holdings is negotiating with a commercial operators about a consortium of tenancies for the former council service centre in Redan Rd. The company expects the first tenants to take up their lease towards the end of this month.