Technology hub gets local name
Name change to The Knowledge and Learning Hub — Te Huinga Wai
The soon to be opened Central Hawke’s Bay Regional Digital Hub has a new name to reflect its local purpose. The Central Hawke’s Bay Provincial Growth Funded hub will be home to a temporary library and associated services, for at least five years. It occupies a site commonly known as the “Old Bucks” building – in Bogle Brothers Esplanade, Waipukurau.
In advance of its launch this month, the facility has been given a fitting local name, along with an interpretation gifted by local mana whenua.
The facility will be known as The Knowledge and Learning Hub — Te Huinga Wai.
Te Huinga Wai can interpreted as the place where waters come together. In Tamatea/Central Hawke’s Bay there are numerous examples of this, including the waters of Ma¯ka¯retu, Ma¯harakeke, Tukipoho and Tukituki, Manga-a-nuku and Waipawa and the Waipawa and Tukituki.
This interpretation represents the confluence of people, water, knowledge and ideas.
The new facility will deliver a range of programmes to bridge the digital divide, offering access for businesses, self-employed people and the
community, with free Wi-Fi, coworking spaces and areas to present digital products and services.
With construction under way again after delays due to level 4 lockdown, the final interior changes and fit-out are planned for this week, ready for doors to open to the public on Monday, September 27.
Central Hawke’s Bay Deputy Mayor and chair of strategy and wellbeing committee, Kelly Annand, said, “While traditional library services will still be a key part of the temporary service, the much-wider connection of people, knowledge, technology and business will be a key offering of the hub. The interpretation of Te Huinga Wai represents the benefits this hub will bring to our community, as we bring together the threads of community, technology, knowledge and place. After the challenges of old Waipukurau Library, it’s exciting to be bringing this space to life for the district”.
Ahead of the hub opening, the Waipukurau Pop-Up at Waipukurau Railway Station will be closed, with no council services available from Monday, September 20, to Monday, September 27.
Automobile Association services will still be available on Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 September, then closed on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 September so they can be transferred to the new location.
The Knowledge and Learning Hub will open to the community from Monday, September 27.
An update on programmes and other activities in the new hub will be provided as soon as Covid-19 restrictions allow for the commencement of these activities, programmes and events.
After the challenges of old Waipukurau Library, it’s exciting to be bringing this space to life for the district. Kelly Annand