Centre opening a celebration
Waiata and karakia for new community centre
With one eye on the weather and the other on a busy programme, locals, children, staff and officials came together to formally open the Hakeke St Community Centre and Library deck.
Whanganui District councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay had been appointed MC for the ceremony, at short notice. He is also a member of the Hakeke St Community Centre Board.
“I think the sheer volume of you here, the different groups that have been involved in the Hakeke St Community Centre is a reflection of the embeddedness of this centre in the Whanganui East community, over what is relatively a short period of time,” said Josh.
Mike Paki, co-chair of Whanganui Community Foundation Trust, said a karakia and blessed the deck for everybody that might use it.
The waiata that followed was E Rere, sung strong and clear.
Josh made some observations, thanked those who made the deck — the collaboration of the team from Ag Challenge and Matt Smith, manager of Eastown Timber; Brent Crossan of Action Drainage, also a Whanganui District Councillor; And Enviroschools, represented by Ron Fisher.
Josh also acknowledged the mural by Si Ormerod and Izzi Smith that adorns the walls of the centre.
“The mural continues to encourage people to use the centre, it encourages conversations, people have been stopping and are quite taken by its quirkiness — that’s entirely the effect we want it to have on people.”
Josh also gave the people of the centre a mention: the staff, Jane and Lorraine, the volunteers, and Marie Butturini, owner of the building.
Ron Fisher spoke on behalf of Enviro Schools then Brent Crossan cut the ribbon to open the centre.
After a performance by Hula Beatz and closing words from Mike Paki, all present were invited inside the centre for light refreshments.