Te Hana celebrates gallery opening

Te Hana is one step closer to becoming the Maori cultural centre of the Kaipara region with the opening of the Ahi kaa o Te Hana gallery and information centre last month.

The retail gallery will showcase whakairo and raranga produced by students studying level three and four courses through Te Wananga o Aotearoa on site.

Business development manager Jo Hill said that the shop will provide an outlet for the students’ and local artists’ creativity, while also providing much needed income and employment opportunities.

About 100 students have studied at Te Hana over the year. Courses offered include art and design, carving, performing arts, Te Reo, computing and carpentry.

The information centre, managed by Maryann de Thierry, is well positioned to help north-bound tourists and handle bookings for guided tours of the cultural village once it opens next year.

At the opening, Kaipara District Mayor Neil Tiller said that thanks to the efforts of the Te Hana Charitable Trust the settlement was “on the up” with the new development providing vital income and employment.

“These are challenging and changing times, and it’s great to see your people responding to these challenges and realising the importance of this land and its potential.”

He said 15,000 vehicles passed through Te Hana daily so the tourism potential for the development was enormous.

“Under the steady guidance of the wise men and women I see here today the project is in safe hands.”

The shop will be open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, and from 9am to noon on Saturdays. Information: Phone 423 8708.

Photo: Mikhail Nathan, Seven Te Area, Hughie Nathan and Thomas de Thierry light candles to represent the future, past and present during the opening ceremony. Looking on is Kaumatua Charlie Connolly, who blessed the building.