Thats a Wrap

December 2025 blog

The Hihiaua Cultural Centre has completed another year of quiet accomplishment, by continuing to provide a welcoming community space for events, exhibitions and workshops.  Since opening in 2019 we have navigated unknown territory, stormy waters of a global pandemic, weather bombs, cyclones and political swings and roundabouts.

We know that change is constant and so are our aspirations.

In this last quarter of the year we have witnessed the continued popularity of Kai Toi Cafe and Restaurant living up to its name, now offering restaurant service over the weekends as well as its now famous breakfasts, coffee and long lunches six days a week.  We think it is spectacular and a huge ups to the Moore whanau who run it all so smoothly – showing true manaaki.

We have also had some busy weeks in the cultural centre, opening our Hine Rauati Exhibition and hosting another Printapalooza in collaboration with Te Kowhai Print Trust.

Toi Whakaata Maori Printmakers Collective come together for a making weekend and we are lucky to have the resulting exhibition – Whakapapatia until December 24.

A bunch of enthusiastic entrepreneurs came together for the inaugural Whangarei Startups gathering recently, expertly organised by Jessie Henderson.  We look forward to hearing more of these great business ideas and clever folks in our community.

A brilliant cross section of pakihi Maori showed their wares inside and outside of the cultural centre for the Whariki Maori Business network Kirihimate Makete.   The place was buzzing with great music, food and fun with a guest appearance by the Green Party MPs who were in the conference room for their summer retreat.

Several education and government agencies have also held working events this past few weeks.   HA, History of Aotearoa continue to deliver their unique style of teaching our histories and we look forward to more great things from them next year.  We will be closed over Christmas and New Year holidays – open to the public again on Wednesday January 7, 2026.  If you are just passing  by have a look at our new signage on and around the centre, explaining what you see and what we do.

We head into 2026 with some big plans and goals to fulfil as we continue to reclaim, restore and renew.   Watch this space!

Ka piki tonu atu tatou ki te oranga!