Hokianga Historical Society New Museum and Archives Opened |
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 |
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 |