Te Aka Mauri is celebrating its first birthday on Sunday.
It is a time of reflection and celebration for the controversial Te Aka Mauri Library and Children's Health Hub, with its first birthday tomorrow.
In 2014, the Rotorua Lakes Council was reviewing library services and improvements to the library building, while the Lakes DHB was approved to establish a childhealth centre away from the hospital.
The council and DHB saw the opportunity to collaborate and create a facility that would focus on community wellbeing.
But when the multimillion-dollar Te Aka Mauri Library and Children's Health Hub was proposed, it was met with criticism from some about the cost, perceived reduction of books, access for elderly, disabled and young families and availability of parking.
One year since its opening those involved in its running say the collaboration has been a huge success.
"The new space and the collaboration with Lakes DHB is working well and has proved popular with our visitors and staff," Rotorua Library director Jane Gilbert said
She said since Te Aka Mauri had opened the number of people through the doors had remained steady while book issues were up 5 per cent, which was bucking the national trend.
Gilbert said numbers taking part in the library's programmes had increased by more than 50 per cent, with 14,933 taking part in activities and programmes.
"We have had great feedback from users about the activities on offer and the space available."
She said because of how the building was now configured, there may appear to be fewer books on the shelves, but the library was still buying the same number each year and, as it had done every year, the older ones had been weeded out and discarded.
"We feel the collaboration with the DHB has had a positive impact on our community.
"From the very beginning we were determined that this wouldn't just be two separate entities occupying the same building.
"The collaboration works well. People come in here and we don't know what they've come in for but we just buzz them through into the DHB rooms if they've got an appointment.
"And then they take part in our children's programmes as well, so the families are actively participating in what is on offer at the library as well as coming for their appointments."
Gilbert said that, after Te Aka Mauri's official opening, staff listened to comments and concerns and made adjustments to the parking outside the building.
(From left) Children's Health Hub manager Bridget Wilson, Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick and Rotorua Library director Jane Gilbert at the Te Aka Mauri building. Photo / Supplied
Lakes DHB acting chief executive Nick Saville-Wood said Lakes DHB was pleased with what had been achieved in the first year but was focused on enhancing and improving services.
"There have been a number of highlights, which include the building of the working relationship with the library and the decision by the Children's team to join the Children's Health teams in the Children's Hub space.
"There has been consistent positive feedback about the decor and the larger clinic rooms ... which allow several family members to easily fit into the room."
He said Lakes DHB wanted to build on the integration of services for children and their families, and to encourage other service providers in maternity and children's health to utilise the Children's Health Hub to deliver services.
Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said she knew how hugely successful Te Aka Mauri was, and that it was now a wonderful, vibrant community space which was valued.
She said with the Rotorua Museum and Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre currently out of action, she thought Te Aka Mauri had helped to pick up these areas.
"Their staff are to be commended for their creativity and thinking out of the square."
There have been many events at the building so far, including Lizzie Marvelly's book launch, activities with the Zonta women and the Multicultural Rotorua Council's lunches, she said.
Chadwick said there had been those who did not like the idea originally and there had been a lot of teething problems for a lot of people getting used to change.
However, she had been hearing from a lot of people now saying they loved the space.
