Last week our team joined mana whenua, Council, and other project stakeholders for the blessing of the outdoor spaces surrounding Te Kete Aronui – Rototuna Library. Hamilton City Council engaged our Project Management team to oversee the development and construction of the library and the surrounding civic spaces. Veros also provided Engineer (to the Contract) services on this project. We are proud to have had a role in this important community placemaking project for the Rototuna area. Whilst enhancing the location as a hub to live, grow, connect, and relax, this project helps to ensure that the area is safer for all visitors. 

Modern community park with a vibrant blue playground, climbing structures, landscaped gardens, and shaded seating areas, set against a clear blue sky and nearby buildings.

PRESS RELEASE | HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL

More than 150,000 visitors have passed through the doors of Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library since it opened in July, making up 41% of all library visits in the city.

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate joined mana whenua, Elected Members, community groups and staff today (8 December) to bless and officially open the remaining spaces surrounding Te Kete Aronui. This includes play and outdoor spaces and the revamped North City Road.

Mayor Southgate said the visitor numbers were simply amazing and demonstrated the demand for quality community facilities in our city.  

“In my view, libraries are taonga (treasures) for our community. This was part of Council’s commitment to create a vibrant heart for the growing north-east Hamilton community, that is a great place to live, work, play, and visit.

Aerial view of a community development site featuring a large parking lot, a newly constructed building, skate park, pathways, green fields, and surrounding construction areas.

“This award-winning library and the surrounding village are a great example of community-led placemaking. Feedback from the local community and mana whenua have strongly influenced its design, clearly ensuring it was fit for purpose.”  

The play and outdoor spaces include swings, shade and seating areas, and an upgrade to North City Road will provide safer connections for pedestrians, people on bikes, and public transport visiting the area. An additional carparking area is also included.  

“As Mayor of our wonderful city, I’ve always said it’s important that we build sustainable, safe and vibrant communities. The village is now well-connected to the rest of Hamilton through safe roading, public transport options, and shared pathways for pedestrians, people on bikes and public transport.”  

Modern playground with wooden swings and vibrant blue flooring, located next to a contemporary building with large glass windows and a landscaped play area.

Council committed funds for Rototuna in its 2018-28 Long-Term Plan. Construction of the Village began in early-2022 and the library and skate spaces opened in July 2023.  

A pou is expected to be unveiled by mana whenua during Matariki in 2024.  

Features of Te Kete Aronui and the wider Village include:

  • A range of small and large meeting rooms and flexible spaces available to book, including after hours.
  • Council services such as rates payments and dog registrations.
  • Hamilton’s third Changing Places bathroom facility.
  • An on-site café, Chapter One.
  • An Auaha Makerspace, purpose-built for creative technologies.
  • Free wi-fi, with computer, printing and scanning services available.
  • Kids and young adult zones, community lounge and a study/work area.
  • Full range of library services to support customers’ information needs.
  • Space to exhibit library-curated displays.
  • Borrow from self-checkouts, collect holds, plus return items 24/7.
  • A skate space and play space integrated with the outdoor areas.
  • Upgraded North City Road to make it safer for pedestrians, people on bikes and public transport.
  • Two carparking areas.  
Modern pedestrian-friendly street with zebra crossings, streetlights, and landscaping, adjacent to a contemporary wooden building under a clear blue sky.

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