Welcome to Te Ahu - Kaitaia's New Community Facility Project
The Te Ahu Charitable Trust is tasked with the funding, construction and administration of a multi functional community facility for the northern region of the Far North district.
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae formally opened Kaitaia's magnificent new civic centre on Saturday, 28 April 2012.
Photo: Peter de Graaf
Sir Jerry said:
"There is something special about this place; its story is special, what it represents is special, the pursuit and achievement of a community's goal by the community is special. It is a remarkable building. The vision has been more than achieved. It represents all that is the best of the people of the Far North.
It also represented excellence in design and innovation, all from within the community that had built it and, now completed, offered a fantastic resource for Kaitaia and the communities that made up the Far North, forging deep links with the cultural and environmental heritage of those communities.
It was fitting, too, that such a magnificent structure should rise in such an historically significant place.
Te Ahu offered another opportunity to find new heart as a community, to collaborate for the benefit of all in terms of convergence, innovation, cultural expression, and environmental sustainability and the pursuit of common values and attributes. These are the strengths that will arm our next generations with the skills and knowledge they need to find their potential and grow new opportunities for our whanau, hapu, iwi, region and nation, for our growth and development in achieving prosperity for all, being truly of one heart."
The Te Ahu Charitable Trust's VISION is to :
"Create a landmark meeting place for our people and visitors that nurtures and shares the stories and culture of our community"
The objectives of the Trust are to :
- Deliver a sustainable community facility that will achieve the vision
- Produce a landmark building that extends a 'welcome' and reflects our 'sense of place and belonging'
- Place emphasis on reflecting our culture and the seven peoples of the Far North
- Provide facilities that will deliver appropriate and coordinated accommodation for stakeholders
- Minimise / prevent duplication of services and facilities
- Ensure the project avoids unnecessary expenditure and achieves best value
