$20M for revitalising Whangārei
A further $130m for region set to be announced in weeks
Rejuvenating central Whangarei, and several other projects – including plans for a 850-seat theatre and conference venue – have received $20 million from the Government’s $3 billion post-Covid infrastructure fund.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones have outlined how the $3 billion infrastructure fund in the Covid Response and Recovery Fund will be allocated across regions.
Jones said a total of $150m will come to Northland from the fund, with the first $20m for the region – for projects in Whangarei – announced on Wednesday. The other $130m of projects will be announced in coming weeks.
Jones said with uncertainty in Whangarei around jobs it was important that the project funded would create jobs, and about 200 new jobs would be created from the first funding round.
He said the funding – with exact amounts still to be worked out – would go towards: Whangarei District Council’s Whangarei Rejuvenation project; Hihiaua Cultural Centre; a trade training centre at Whangarei Boys High School; Northland Rugby Union moving its headquarters to Pohe Island; a Bike Northland Incorporated bike track at Pohe Island, an expansion of the Ruakaka Recreation Centre.
“Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai has done a good job of campaigning for funding to come to the district, which makes up about 40 per cent of Northland’s population,” Jones said.
“She’s pushed hard to get funding for the council’s rejuvenation project and the other projects funded here. The Hihiaua project will be tremendous for the district and we are delighted to be able to contribute to it.”
Hihiaua Cultural Centre Trust chairman Ryan Welsh said an 850-seat theatre and conference venue for Whangarei is one step closer with the announcement.
“Stage 2 of the Hihiaua Cultural Centre, which was granted resource consent late last year, will see the construction of an iconic venue for performing and visual arts, conferences and other community events on the Hihiaua peninsula.”
Welsh said the phenomenal demand for and success of Stage 1 in its first year, as a creative and welcoming community space, has consolidated the resolve of the trust to build Stage 2.
“Hihiaua provides for arts, culture, local community connection and educational opportunities in a way that other event centres are not in a position to provide. This is particularly relevant in the current environment where social and cultural isolation have begun to tear at the fabric of many communities,” he said. Hihiaua has already hosted more than 50 widely varied events involving more than 20,000 participants, staged six professionally curated exhibitions and provides a creative space for local carvers, weavers and artists. Stage 2 will see further development of the Hihiaua precinct adding a unique performance space with an indoor/outdoor stage, exhibition space, banquet catering and conference facilities. Construction costs are estimated at $16m and further funding will be required to ensure the fit-out is world class and fit for purpose, he said. Jones said the rejuvenation project is an investment in the social and community infrastructure of Whangarei, covering a group of projects identified as priorities for the area including a cultural centre, new shared paths infrastructure, and sporting and trades training facilities. This is the day-to-day infra
This funding gives the green light to a number of projects close to people’s hearts at a time when we are feeling a bit battered by Covid-19’s effect on employment and the economy. Mayor Sheryl Mai
structure that helps Whanga¯rei residents move around their city and access work, education, and recreation. The Whanga¯rei Rejuvenation also includes the construction of spaces for learning and sporting activities, he said.
Mayor Mai welcomed the new funding.
“This funding gives the green light to a number of projects close to people’s hearts at a time when we are feeling a bit battered by Covid-19’s effect on employment and the economy,” she said.
“It will create much needed employment, and further than that, these projects will provide long-term, lasting recreation and cultural assets for our citizens to enjoy.”