A new civic administration building represents a new era in Taupō, with Ngāti Tūwharetoa entities and the Taupō District Council housed under the same roof.
The development, which opened on Thursday morning, is the result of a partnership between the Taupō District Council and several Ngāti Tūwharetoa entities aimed at enhancing local governance and community engagement.
The partnership includes the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, Tūwharetoa Limited, the Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust, the Ngāti Tūwharetoa Fisheries Charitable Trust, and Te Pae o Waimihia Trust.
The Chairman of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust, Rākeipoho Taiaroa, said the building will be a hub for unity.
“Actually, it’s the first of its kind to have a co-habitation of Iwi and its council together.”
Under the agreement, Te Whare Hono o Tūwharetoa Limited Partnership acquired the former Taupō RSA site from the council.
The partnership was responsible for constructing the building, with the council leasing approximately 3,000 square meters for its operations.
Construction began in early 2023, with completion expected by early 2025. The facility will provide a contemporary workspace for council staff while symbolizing a deepening collaboration between local government and Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
More than just an office space, the new building is regarded as a taonga (treasure), representing the enduring partnership and shared aspirations of the council and Ngāti Tūwharetoa entities. It stands as a testament to their commitment to working together for the benefit of the Taupō community.
Taupō Mayor David Trawaves said there’s been no other partnership like this, where local council will be working face-to-face with mana whenua every day.
“It’s the way of the future, that’s for sure! Where we come together with local Iwi authorities. Where we can make quick, good decisions.”
Kua whaiā te iti kahurangi e Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Ko Te Whare Hono o Tūwharetoa, ānō he tūtohu whenua hou mō te takiwā. E whitū ngā rōpū a Ngāti Tūwharetoa ka noho ki raro i te tāwharautanga kotahi me te kaunihera o Taupō.
Hei tā Rākeipoho, kei mahue te iwi ki muri.
“What was really important was if we did do a deal, we’d get the land. The land comes back to Tūwharetoa through the different investors of which most of Tūrangi have affinity with.”
Hāunga rā te wāhi ki te kaunihera, arā noa atu ngā pakihi a Tūwharetoa ka whai kāinga ki roto i te whare nei. Ko te poari kaitiaki Māori o Tūwharetoa, te Tarawhiti Atawhai Hao Ika a Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
E kī ana te kaiwhakahaere o te Poari a Sean Te Heuheu, ko te manako ia he nui noa atu ngā tūmomo kaupapa hei mahi ngātahitanga mā te kaunihera me te iwi.
“This is a whare that hopefully is a bit of a tohu that can be done when you work together. Collaboration and trust are the fuel for me that helped build this whare.”
