Manaia Facility Takes Another Step Forward
The development of project Tūkau, a shared Iwi/community multi-purpose space in Manaia, took another step forward when the board of Te Korowai o Ngāruahine and the South Taranaki District Council (STDC) agreed to move to the final phase of due diligence following the completion of the initial business case stage.
The final phase involves progressing agreements related to capital and operational structuring. Both STDC and Te Korowai also agreed that the preferred location is the area around the current Manaia Memorial Hall.
STDC chief executive Fiona Aitken says that while the sports complex at the Manaia Domain has been ruled out as the location for this multi-use facility, council officers have been asked to develop options for fixing or replacing the sports complex as a separate project to be worked on at the same time.
“As part of this decision, Council reaffirmed its commitment to undertaking work on both facilities,” she says.
Aitken admits, like any other project, there are a number of complex issues to be resolved, including the need to get government approval due to the hall being a war memorial and on reserve land.
“Completing the business case will be a major milestone and it’s at this point when both parties will need to make the final decision to commit to the project,” she says.
Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Pouwhakarae (Chair), Emma Gardiner says that Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Board was satisfied that the business case aligned strongly with the outcomes framework that was developed with their hapū, whānau, uri, kaimahi and the Manaia community.
Gardiner says, “It’s heartening to see traction on this kaupapa, which has progressed over two board terms. Now it was about structuring it in a way that is feasible and sustainable for both parties. This is a landmark project and will exemplify the value of council – iwi partnerships to both our uri and South Taranaki community.”
In its recently adopted Long Term Plan, the STDC budgeted $3 million for work on the Manaia town hall and town centre revitalisation.
Background - Project Tūkau
For some time, the council had been considering what to do with the Manaia Town Hall and Sports Complex both of which were closed after being assessed as not meeting the minimum 34% new building earthquake standard.
In 2018 the council approved funding of up to $1,000,000 to rebuild the town hall. However, following considerable consultation and no clear indication from the community on whether to have a combined facility or two separate ones, a final decision had not been made.
At the same time Te Korowai was looking to relocate its head office from Hāwera to somewhere within the Ngāruahine rohe. As part of their assessment of options, they identified a need for something more than just a head office, but a cultural creative space to support large Iwi activities and which complements the role and mahi of their Hapū at a Pā level. The space, if approved, would be a platform to promote Ngāruahine culture, identity and placemaking, which will raise the profile of the Manaia community regionally and nationally.
In 2022, Te Korowai o Ngāruahine and South Taranaki District Council (STDC) agreed to explore
the opportunity for an Iwi-community, multi-purpose space in Manaia through the signing of a
partnership agreement (Project Tukau)
The partnership has seen an exciting opportunity for both the Council and the Iwi to combine their resources to achieve a great outcome for the whole community.
Stage 1: Establishment - Outcomes framework development
Stage 2: Business Case - Phase 1: spatial brief and feasibility.
Phase 2: design, ownership, operations, costings and funding
Stage 3: Detailed design development
