Te Kahu o Waipuna - Marlborough’s Library and Art Gallery was officially opened this morning by Acting Prime Minister Hon Carmel Sepuloni following a mihi whakatau by Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Ngāti Rārua iwi representatives.
MP for Te Tai Tonga Hon Rino Tirikatene also attended the opening ceremony.
Mayor Nadine Taylor gave special thanks to tangata whenua iwi Rangitāne o Wairau for their gifting the name to the new building.
Kaiwhakahaere Matua (General Manager) of Rangitāne o Wairau, Corey Hebberd said the iwi sought to acknowledge the past, present and future in gifting the name Te Kahu o Waipuna.
“A kahu is a traditional Māori cloak and denotes the metaphorical embracing of people. Waipuna references the puna (spring water) that rise to the northwest of Blenheim and feeds the river that flows past this facility.”
“Waipuna is also the mother of Rangitāne. Through the generations, her descendants have built pā and gardens along the waterways around which the town was constructed,” he said.
“I want to acknowledge our whānau who have generously offered their mātauranga to give this beautiful ingoa to Marlborough’s newest piece of civic and social infrastructure,” Mr Hebberd said.
Mayor Taylor also acknowledged the Government’s support for the new facility with an $11 million grant from the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
“This wonderful new civic building has been 10 years in the making and is now a hub of knowledge, information and activity for both locals and visitors to Blenheim,” Mayor Taylor said.
“This is one of the most significant projects ever undertaken by Council and has been the work of many hands - we are thrilled with the result,” she said.
“Since it opened its doors on 12 May more than 60,000 people have visited the multipurpose venue. It’s fantastic to see it being so well utilised by our community.”
“I also want to acknowledge the vision and hard work of previous councils stretching back over a decade, particularly former mayors John Leggett and Alistair Sowman; former Deputy Mayor Terry Sloan and former Councillor Cynthia Brooks.”
“Special thanks to architects Warren and Mahoney, Robinson Construction and the many subcontractors who worked tirelessly on the project for two years.”
Marlborough Art Gallery Trustee Rick Osborne noted that since 2016 the project has moved from a dream, to a possibility, and finally to a reality. “The reality has exceeded the dream and we are now able to deliver accessible art for all to enjoy,” Mr Osborne said.
