Ten years of Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō
Published on December 06, 2022
On 29 September 2022 we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō – Horowhenua’s Culture and Community Centre.
Treasured by Horowhenua residents and visitors, the community heart and hub brings together library services, and services and facilities for community, business, youth, and tourism.
Welcoming and convenient, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō is a safe, supervised and all-inclusive destination, offering quality activities and opportunities to positively engage, educate and delight all visitors.
Previously the location of a supermarket, the vacant building was purchased in 2007 by Horowhenua District Council, which had the strategic vision of creating a community centre, incorporating the Levin Library.
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō was the first of its kind. A relevant and convenient destination to complement people's lives at home, school and work, the centre is a ‘third place after home or work/school’. Recreational, cultural, learning, digital and social experiences are located in one convenient, modern and accessible facility in the heart of Levin and the wider Horowhenua District.
With an innovative design to re-purpose the building, construction was undertaken by local contractors between late 2011 and September 2012, resulting in a complete transformation from an unsightly big box-type building to a dynamic-looking and inviting community centre.
Ten years on, we want to reflect on the name 'Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō' and the mana it has gifted the facility, kaimahi and our wider community.
The meaning of 'Te Takeretanga' is the dispersal of knowledge. The Takere is also the hull of the waka where treasures are kept for safety. Like the hull of the waka, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō holds many taonga for the benefit of all.
There are many meanings to the word 'kura', some are as follows:
- Red glowing light
- The hidden knowledge of our ancestors
- Taonga (treasure)
- Learning place
- Someone or something of chiefly status
The word 'hau' also has many meanings, two of which include:
Through both of these elements, knowledge is sought, maintained and dispersed.
'Pō' is the transition from the world of darkness to the world of light through knowledge.
Throughout the year, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō hosts a range of events from Friday concerts, to quiz nights, exhibitions and community events. Visit tetakere.org.nz for more information and a full event schedule.