Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi

For current information on the library including opening hours, joining the library and booking a room, go to the Library - Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi page.

About the project

The project to build Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi - Technology and Research Centre was many years in the making.

This facility is a community hub at the heart of our revitalised town centre providing all the many and varied supported services currently offered by our Library and Digital Hub sites - including digital support, room hire, wifi, online and physical resources, books, movies, devices, events and activities.

There is a dedicated maker space with lots of opportunities to learn and extend your skills in 3D design and print, laser cutting and many other tech programmes and activities. The shared courtyard space (once an access lane) will open up opportunities for events, exhibitions and wānanga in collaboration with the neighbouring Arts Society and other local organisations.

What’s happening now

The library build is now complete and the facility is open. The impressive new structure can be found on the corner of King and Church Streets - home to Ōpōtiki’s previous libraries and the earlier iteration, the Mechanic’s Institute.

A dawn blessing and formal opening took place on 2 December 2021.

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Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi – it’s all in the name

Inspired by the architect’s proposal to feature a translucent tāhuhu (ridge pole) running the length of the building, Whakatōhea kaumatua, Te Riaki Amoamo, gifted the name ‘Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi’ to Council in 2016. The tāhuhu of the wharenui is the traditional library, or storehouse of knowledge, on the marae. The building’s skylight tāhuhu is said to allow the wisdom of the sky father, Ranginui, to flow into the building, hence the beautifully appropriate name: ‘Te Tahuhu o Te Rangi’.

Image: The building’s skylight tāhuhu is said to allow the wisdom of the sky father, Ranginui, to flow into the building.

About the art

The building will house a collection of commissioned and for-sale local art. Exhibited on the massive interior pou pou, the art has been curated by artist and kaitiaki for this project, Tangimoe Clay. The initiative is funded by a Creative NZ, Toi Māori grant specifically targeting investment in new arts activity outside New Zealand’s main centres.

Funding

Funding for Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi has been provided by Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit. This project, and our town centre revitalisation project, have benefited from the central government funding to support job creation and drive economic growth and wellbeing in regional Aotearoa. Funding has also been received from Trust Horizon, BayTrust, Creative NZ and Lottery Grants Board.