Iwi and council identify preferred site for Raetihi hub – Te Ao Māori News

Iwi and council partners working on a joint proposal to build a multi-use community center in Raetihi have chosen their preferred site.

The Iwi Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Collective and Ruapehu District Council are developing plans for what could be the largest construction ever seen in the Waimarino Municipality.

The preferred location for the proposed Raetihi Community Center is the 5,800 m² Crown-owned site of the town's police station, located at 2-4 Seddon St.

The land is to be returned to Te Korowai o Wainuiārua as part of the $28.5 million treaty he signed with the Crown on July 29, 2023.

The settlement legislation is still going through Parliament, but the council said the location was recommended after site assessments and consultations.

It was chosen because of “its size, ownership status and significant cultural connections to the surrounding landscape,” said Pauline Welch, the council's general manager of community and economic development.

The only other suitable site was a plot of land in the middle of town with empty buildings. It was owned by an out-of-town businessman who didn't want to sell it, Welch said.

Māori architectural firm Ōrua, working with Australasian architects and designers Architectus, is expected to unveil a concept for the proposed building in July.

The specification specifies a “fit for purpose” facility which brings together council and iwi services as well as the community’s aspirations for shared spaces meeting educational, cultural, heritage and recreational needs.

Welch said the community center was a shared vision with Te Korowai o Wainuiārua to create an inclusive space for all members of the community. The project was envisaged as a joint venture, reflecting joint decision-making processes between the council and the iwi collective.

Work on the proposal began in 2018 but was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Intensive community consultations have since taken place to help decide what the facility should offer.

“Council and Te Korowai o Wainuiārua remain committed to ensuring that the Raetihi Community Center becomes a cornerstone of local engagement and a symbol of community pride,” Welch said.

The specification provides for multi-functional spaces including a library, meeting rooms, secure taonga display areas, council administration and services centre, i-Site and post shop, head office and archive spaces for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, young people. facilities, reception area and service offices for police and community service providers.

The architects were also asked to design a “compelling and contemporary” façade and landscaping that connects the building to the rest of the city, looks towards the maunga and connects to the awa and the environment.

Welch told Local Democracy Reporting that the community will be asked for feedback on the design concept.

“Until the design is finalized in July, we appreciate the community’s patience. Once we reveal the concept, we look forward to receiving feedback on all aspects of the proposal, including location.

The prime site is at the junction of State Highways 4 and 49, on the outskirts of downtown. Welch said existing road issues near the site – such as the need for a roundabout at the intersection – should be addressed.

“These infrastructure improvements are essential and match the improvements planned for Raetihi Pool.”

The council has budgeted $1 million for 2025 in its 2021-31 long-term plan for the Community Hub project.

Te Korowai o Wainuiārua president Aiden Gilbert said the iwi collective had not committed any funding for construction but could potentially provide “land” suitable for the center under a lease agreement , once the legislation on the colonies has been promulgated.

He said the recommended site has views of Ruapehu and overlooks the Makotuku River.

Gilbert said he was looking forward to the design.

“The investment in Raetihi should have been made a long time ago because council has neglected this town for so long,” Gilbert said.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.