New South Taranaki isite on track for 2020 start

Plans are afoot to create a new civic centre in Hawera, South Taranaki, that will incorporate a new i-SITE. It will be known as Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga.

The preliminary plans for the building, which will house the town's public library, i-SITE visitor information centre, a cafe and an art gallery, were presented to the South Taranaki District Council's policy development committee for approval in late July.

The budget for the centre is $8m, with the Council funding $4.8m towards the development and seeking external funding for the rest.

Demolition of existing buildings to make way for the new project could begin early in 2020.

The name Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga refers to the beacon, or signal fire, that Ruapūtahanga, a famous Taranaki Māori ancestress, would light so iwi could gather to share ideas and knowledge.