Multi-cultural centre’s upgrade hits a cost hurdle
Plans for a major upgrade to a Timaru multi-cultural centre have hit a hurdle.
Te Aitarakihi Multi-Cultural Centre trustee Ani Haua said plans to develop the centre, which is used by local cultural groups, social services and schools, had been in the pipeline for a long time.
Last week, the centre’s plans for its new buildings were given the green light by the Timaru District Council. However, the proposed upgrade was estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The centre was somewhat short, and was exploring options for raising the necessary funds.
The upgrade work began December 2016, Haua said.
The space was important for those families who were not Ngai Tahu descendants as it was a base from which they could hold a hui or a tangihanga, she said. ‘‘All types of celebrations that might occur.’’
The centre gave a number of community groups and services a place to operate from, she said. in
‘‘We’ve got cultural groups, Tongan, Samoan ... we have flaxweaving courses, money management, te reo Maori, we have kapa haka.’’
The Aoraki Community Care Trust also used the site.
Numerous school groups, including international schools, spent time at the centre learning about Maori culture, Haua said.
The centre did not receive any government funding, but use of the buildings was definitely increasing, she said.
‘‘We’ve got to work from the bottom up. We don’t have the money flowing Haua said.
Initially the centre was going to receive one building from Craighead Diocesan School, which would function as an administration building. The centre was then offered a second building, which it accepted.
The admin building needed to be re-piled, while the second building - in two pieces for transport purposes - would be attached to the centre’s existing wharenui.
Haua said there was ‘‘no exact figure’’ for the cost of the development other than to say it would be into our laps.’’ in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Centre administrator Deb Whatuira said the centre gained consent from the Timaru District Council last week for the development to go ahead.
‘‘We got compliance, so we’re good to go.’’
The centre was open to any ideas which would help to raise the necessary funds and was grateful for donations in whatever shape they came, Whatuira said.
‘‘We’re heavily reliant on the generosity of the community to complete our development.’’