Editorial: Fitting tribute to local legend

It's almost hard to believe it's been that long already, but what a great idea to honour Sir Howard in renaming the convention centre.

Gone but never forgotten.

Last night's concert in tribute to the late Sir Howard Morrison came with a big announcement.

As we've reported today, the Rotorua Convention Centre is to be renamed the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.

What a fitting tribute to a legend of the New Zealand stage.

And what a fine line-up involved in last night's show, A Knight to Remember - names included Dame Malvina Major, Carl Doy, Annie Crummer, Ray Woolf, Brendan Dugan, Eddie Low ... the list goes on and on, and highlights the very high esteem in which Sir Howard was held.

The concert was organised to mark five years since this city's great knight died.

It's almost hard to believe it's been that long already, but what a great idea to honour Sir Howard in renaming the convention centre.

With its new name comes new purpose. Last night it was also announced the Rotorua District Council would work with local groups to turn the centre into a performing arts centre for community groups.

This must be welcome news for all manner of performing arts groups - from theatre groups to cultural and kapa haka groups - and it makes sense to give the centre new life now many conventions and conferences are held at the Energy Events Centre.

As our Mayor Steve Chadwick says, it's great recognition of Sir Howard's huge contribution to the arts.