Creating community in Ashburton: Neil Brown, Mayor of Ashburton
Civic buildings bring people of a community together and Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton’s library and council administration building, has achieved just that.
Since it opened in January 2024, Te Whare Whakatere has been a place for business, for debate, for decisions and gatherings; it has also become a space for the community, who we see enjoying a modern library with laser cutters, a learning lab, recording studio and more.
Te Whare Whakatere’s design concept began its journey in 2018, with the architect consulting both the local council and the community about what makes this area special.
There were lots of ideas to integrate into the new building, many connected to the district’s braided river environment, bi-cultural heritage, and agricultural roots.
The building has many sustainable features, with a focus on timber, and the temperature is controlled by an artesian bore. The aim was for this project to be a boost to the town’s Central Business District, and a vision for the future. The design inside represents the concept of working together, sharing the Māori heritage of our district over hundreds of years. It’s a welcoming space, one place for all of us. I’m thankful to all involved and proud to have been a part of it.
Did you know? Te Whare Whakatere translates as The House of Ashburton. The name was chosen to reflect that it is a multi-purpose building for use by a number of different groups and all should feel that this is their house.
About Te Whare Whakatere
Ashburton’s new civic centre, Te Whare Whakatere, includes a library, customer services counters, meeting rooms and events spaces, public and staff amenities, a café, a recording studio and learning lab, executive suites, Council chambers and staff workspaces, plus an IL4
Emergency Operations Centre. Built and renovated by Naylor Love, the impressive building has won:
- Gold Award, NZ Commercial Project Awards 2025
- Excellence (Sustainable Building) and Merit (Civic, Health & Arts), Property Council NZ Property Industry Awards 2024
- Highly Commended, NZ Building People Awards 2024 (Tom Pyatt, Project Manager)
