PĀNUI PĀPĀHO | MEDIA RELEASE 23 August 2024
Manaia Facility Takes Another Step Forward The development of Project Tūkau, a shared Iwi/community multi-purpose space in Manaia, took another step forward when the board of Te Korowai o Ngāruahine (Te Korowai) and the South Taranaki District Council (STDC) agreed to move to the final phase of due diligence following the completion of the initial business case stage. The final phase involves progressing agreements related to capital and operational structuring. Both STDC and Te Korowai also agreed that the preferred location is the area around the current Manaia Memorial Hall. STDC chief executive Fiona Aitken says that while the sports complex at the Manaia Domain has been ruled out as the location for this multi-use facility, council officers have been asked to develop options for fixing or replacing the sports complex as a separate project to be worked on at the same time. “As part of this decision, Council reaffirmed its commitment to undertaking work on both facilities,” she says. Aitken admits, like any other project, there are a number of complex issues to be resolved, including the need to get government approval due to the hall being a war memorial and on reserve land. “Completing the business case will be a major milestone and it’s at this point when both parties will need to make the final decision to commit to the project,” she says. Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Pouwhakarae (Chair), Emma Gardiner says that Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Board was satisfied that the business case aligned strongly with the outcomes framework that was developed with their hapū, whānau, uri, kaimahi and the Manaia community. Gardiner says, “It’s heartening to see traction on this kaupapa, which has progressed over two board terms. Now it was about structuring it in a way that is feasible and sustainable for both parties. This is a landmark project and will exemplify the value of council – iwi partnerships to both our uri and South Taranaki community.” In its recently adopted Long Term Plan, the STDC budgeted $3 million for work on the Manaia town hall and town centre revitalisation. ENDS
Media Enquiries to: Janine Maruera (Communications Lead – Te Korowai o Ngāruahine) janine@ngaruahine.iwi.nz 027 829 4751 Gerard Langford (Communications Manager – STDC) gerard.langford@STDC.govt.nz 06 278 0555
Background - Project Tūkau For some time, the council had been considering what to do with the Manaia Town Hall and Sports Complex both of which were closed after being assessed as not meeting the minimum 34% new building earthquake standard.