Greetings from us all here at Hokonui Rūnanga. It seems the months are flying by too fast, it’s hard to believe it is August already.

We have had some icy frosts the last couple of months here in Gore. Our pond even froze over for a couple of days – it wasn’t strong enough for human ice skating but our boy Zac managed to get out on it for a skate.

Greetings from us all here at Hokonui Rūnanga. It seems the months are flying by too fast, it’s hard to believe it is August already.  We have had some icy frosts the last couple of months here in Gore. Our pond even froze over for a couple of days – it wasn’t strong enough for human ice skating but our boy Zac managed to get out on it for a skate.

Zac the dog on the pond.

Housekeeping

Due to the rebuild our office, communications are at times running slow or our power is out, so if you please send us an email and we will endeavour to get back to you asap. Our email is [email protected]

Registrations

If you are registered with Hokonui Rūnanga we would appreciate if you could touch base with the office and update your contact details as a lot are out-of-date.

If you wish to register with us, you can go to our website and download a copy of our registration form www.hokonuirunanga.org.nz or email [email protected]

Rūnanga building rises again

The $1.4 million rebuild of the fire damaged Hokonui Rūnanga building is taking shape three months after the project started on April 22. The rūnanga’s complex in Charlton Road, Gore, was badly damaged by an electrical fault in the workshop in May last year.

Financial officer Terry Nicholas said the area of the rebuild involved 500m2, which was about half of the complex’s total floor space. The office areas were largely unaffected by the fire expect for smoke damage. However, the complex’s meeting room, kitchen and medical room were badly damaged. As part of the rebuild, the rūnanga had taken the opportunity to redesign the building to incorporate a sleeping area, an upgraded commercial kitchen and larger dining area.

Also included would be two bathrooms, two disabled access bathrooms and a fully compliant medical assessment room.

The complex had been well used for functions such as wedding s and for major Ngāi Tahu hui before the fire, Mr Nicholas said.

The redesigned building would feature a better layout, better use of space and would be more user friendly. We have actually been able to design for what we are set up to do. It has been designed for a fully functional conference facility, Mr Nicholas said.

The complex had been, and would continue to be, an asset to the community he said. It was pretty well used by the community before it burnt down – it’s got multiple uses. “Our aim is to provide a service in a setting of excellence” when completed, the complex would include a fully landscaped area along its east-facing frontage incorporating a seamless connection from the building to an outdoor dining and recreation area facing on the existing wetland which would also be further developed. The project, which is being undertaken by Archer Construction, Invercargill, is expected to be completed in December

Story and photo supplied and written by Russell Fredric of The Ensign, Gore.

Hokonui Rūnanga Financial officer, Terry Nicholas (left) discusses progress on the $1.4 million rebuild of the Rūnanga’s Charlton Rd complex with Archer Construction forman, Travis Watt.

Hokonui Rūnanga Financial officer, Terry Nicholas (left) discusses progress on the $1.4 million rebuild of the Rūnanga’s Charlton Rd complex with Archer Construction forman, Travis Watt.