Kaikohe Library and Civic Hub build starts this month

The transformation of a vacant lot at the intersection of Broadway and Raihara Street in Kaikohe will begin on Tuesday 26 August after a contract was awarded to build the town’s new library and community hub.

The contract was awarded to local company Henwood Construction Limited (HCL) during the council’s July meeting, after a tender process conducted by Far North Holdings Limited (FNHL), which is managing the project on behalf of the council.

The project steering group approved an open tender process that included evaluation weighting being given to companies with relevant experience within Northland, that can show a benefit to the local area. Council staff were also involved in the process to ensure compliance with organisational procurement and sustainable procurement requirements.

HCL was established in Kaikohe in 1993. The company has previous experience delivering projects of similar size and scope on time and on budget with FNHL and has demonstrated experience working with hapū. More than 75 per cent of its workforce currently live in Kaikohe and all its proposed subcontractors are based in the Far North District.

Initial concept plans for the unique hub were produced from council consultation with local schools, from community workshops and hapū engagement. Over the past 15 months, FNHL has developed the designs further and these were approved by the project steering group in March. After finalising the designs, building and resource consent applications were submitted before the tender process began to select a construction contractor.

Hori Tane, Project Manager at FNHL, said the final design will produce a building that goes beyond what a traditional library once was.

“This design reflects the needs of our community – young and old – and the facility will provide not only books to read, but a gaming room, recording booth, ‘Maker Space’ area, meeting rooms and a café. It is a place to meet and a place that provides something for everyone.”

To check out the full design, floor plan as well as project background, go to our Te Āta Haere webpage.

Te Āta Haere is the name gifted by Te Uri o Hua hapū for this project. The name reflects the importance of taking the time to get something right and references moving with intention, respect and integrity while valuing relationships and good processes.

Preliminary designs for the multi-purpose facility were first revealed at the State of the Far North Address in November last year.

This exciting project is due for completion in 2026 and is estimated to cost $14.6m. This project is funded from the council's Long Term Plan 2024-27 and will cost each ratepayer $6.77 per $100,000 of land value when the project is completed.

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Main image - the design from the corner of Broadway and Raihara Street.

Below - the cleared site on Broadway, where construction of the new facility will start soon.