Te Tahuhu o Te Rangi (Research & Technology Hub)

Located in the heart of Opotiki township, Te Tahuhu o Te Rangi is a place for a bi-cultural community to gather. Envisaged as a combination of library and digital services, the building serves as a hub for business, arts, culture and community.

The building includes a triple height entry foyer, community counter, library, display area and gathering space. There are single height refuge areas on each side of the building including children and adult areas, workspaces, meeting rooms and kitchen. The form, materials and structure have been designed using sustainable principles and to showcase natural materials and construction techniques.

Given the architect had elected to make the tahuhu, or central ridge pole, the building’s stand out feature (by making it translucent) ‘Tahuhu’ was offered as an appropriate name. The name Te Tahuhu o Te Rangi was conferred by Whakatohea kaumatua at a ceremony at the old library in April 2016.