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Hokianga Historical Society
New Museum and Archives Opened
Updated: 15 March 2019
Website Owner: Dr. Kenneth M. Baker
info(at)ourhokianga.com
New premises for the
Hokianga Historical Society

On 11 November 2010 - beginning of
building for new premises for the
Society.  Patron, Ethel Pickering
turned the first sod in a ceremony at 2
o'clock (see photo right).

........12 months later, on the 14th
December 2012, at a ceremony  
watched a large crowd, Betty Pennell
deputising for Society Patron Ethel
Pickering, cut the ribbon to open the
new
Hokianga Historical Society
Museum and Archives Centre
.  A
dream has been achieved and the
Society's collections are now housed
in comfortable and pleasant
surroundings.

The Museum and Archives have
already become a draw-card for
visitors to the area and exploring the
history of the Hokianga and seeking
family information and looking at their
genealogy.

Read  about the holdings of the
Museum and Archives  
11 November 2010 - Society Patron Ethel
Pickering watched by Hiku Cherrington
(Chairman of the Society), turns the first sod at
the site of the new premises of the Society at
Omapere - photo courtesy of Richard
Edmondson, Northern News.
 
February 2011 - Inside the nearly completed building shell
May 2011 - Excavating the carpark.
14 December 2011 - Betty Pennell (deputising
for Society Patron Ethel Pickering) watched by
Hiku Cherrington (Chairman of the Society)
cutting the ribbon to celebrate the official
opening of the new Museum and Archives
Centre - photo courtesy of Owen Whaley
The Story of the Construction and Opening of the New Centre at Omapere
November 2011 - Adding the finishing touches
December 2011 - The new Centre is virtually complete
January 2012 - Alexa Whaley welcomes a visitor to the Centre
14 December 2011 - Opening Day
14 December 2011 - Opening Day
Acknowledgements  - The HHS acknowledges all Members of
the Community who gave donations and volunteered their time
towards achieving the goal of beulding the new Centre

APPRECIATION

The Hokianga Historical Society Inc. acknowledges the contributions from the following donors - Pub Charity, Sky City,
ASB Community Trust (FNDC), Versatile Buildings, National Services Te Paerangi (Te Papa), Hokianga Memorial RSA,
The late Evan Bertlett, Nicholbee Honey, Opononi & District Lions Club, Jean Irvine Trust Fund, Barbarotto Trust and
Several Anonymous Donors

The Museum makes our Community a richer place, its completion would not have been possible without their
generous support.
14 December 2011 - Official Opening Day of New
premises for the Hokianga Historical Society

Following the cutting of the ribbon by Betty Pennell assisted by
Hiku Cherington, the assembled guests and members filed
into the newly opened facilities for the official proceedings.  

The interior was blessed by the Rev. Daniel Ambler.  Speeches
were given by the Society Chairman, Hiku Cherington, Owen
Whaley and George Nichols.

Judge Andrew Spencer of the Maori Land Court accompanied
by his partner Mere Mangu, was present and also represented
the Jean Irvine Trust which has been a generous benefactor to
the new Centre.
14 December 2011 - Crowd waiting to enter for the
opening formalities - George Nichols in the foreground
14 December 2011 - Opening Day: Judge Andrew
Spencer and Hiku Cherington, Society Chairman
14 December 2011 - Opening Day
Hokianga History and Memorabilia