Te Puna Hall opening confirmed
unday 16th August will be a great day for Te Puna,” says George Butler, Chairman of the Te Puna Hall Committee. “After three years and eleven months, our new Memorial Hall will be opened and celebrated in a series of events starting at 7am on that Sunday.”
The new Hall, built to replace the 94year-old original, has been beset by delays since the construction of the SH2 roundabout that now occupies the original site. “The last straw was the Covid19 lockdown,” says George. “The Hall was 95% complete when all work stopped. We had set our hearts on an Anzac Day hīkoi for 2020. Instead, some staunch locals came down the road and stood, socially-distanced, outside the new Hall doors at 6am on 25th April.”
Already new stories are being made in and around the new Hall. On Friday 17th July kaumātua Tommy Kuka, local priest Father Ricky and a group of tamariki from the Te Puna School holiday programme assembled respectfully outside the doors, before removing their shoes and entering the foyer to witness the memorial plaques being put in place by two Brunel workmen. There were karakia and a waiata as the plaques were blessed and then covered over to await their formal unveiling on the morning of 16th August. “You will remember this day all your lives,” Tommy Kuka told the children. “Now, listen carefully as I read out all the names of the men who served in the two World Wars. Their names may be your name too. Or they may be one of your tūpuna, your ancestors, that you can talk about at home. Remember them.”
The donation of a flagpole, from Dave and Shirley Sparks, is another community gesture to mark the day. And the Hall Committee has commissioned two wooden tables, now installed in the two new meeting rooms, made from timber taken from the old Hall at the time it was taken down. “We remember the old Hall very fondly,” says George. “We welcome everyone who wants to make time to come to our opening events.”
The re-dedication of the plaques takes place at 7am, Sunday 16th August followed by the formal opening at 10am the same day. The first cabaret will start at 7pm on Saturday 22nd August and look out for a possible concert from the NZ Army band - date to be advised!
For further information, contact Beth Bowden on 0274 530033.