Public Halls
Whakatane District Council has a number of community halls available for hire for sporting, social or cultural events and for private functions.
Whakatane
Community Recreation Centre
Formerly known as the Whakatane Youth Centre, the Community Recreation Centre is currently managed by Ngati Awa Social and Health Services (NASH) and is centrally located in Canning Place behind the sacred rock “Pohaturoa”. To find out more about the services provided by Ngati Awa Social and Health services click here . http://www.nash.org.nz/. To contact NASH or book the facility phone 307 1472.
The Centre is used for a variety of youth-orientated recreational, social and cultural activities, as is the Cyber Cafe upstairs. The local youth radio station "Taiohi" transmits from the facility.
The major portion of the ground floor is occupied by the Rock Pit Gymnasium/weight training club. This is a non-profit-making club, totally funded by its members, and is open to members, seven days a week.
Whakatane War Memorial Hall
The Whakatane District War Memorial Hall is a popular and well utilised community facility, located in Rex Morpeth Park, on Short Street.
The Centre was opened by the Governor-General in 1978. It was built around and over the earlier War Memorial Hall and has retained, as part of the new building, the original main entrance, plaques and honours scrolls.
The Centre includes the Little Theatre/Concert Chamber, which seats over 270 people and is used for recitals, small conferences, seminars and live theatrical productions. A loop system is installed in the first four rows for the hearing impaired. The theatre is backed by a rehearsal room of 114m².
The carpeted entrance foyer of 167m² provides bar, ticketing and stall facilities and can also be used as a separate function room. Adjacent to the foyer and separated by sliding sound-proof doors is the carpeted reception lounge of 280 m² with bar and kitchen facilities and a 30m² parquet dance floor. It is available for receptions, meetings and conferences, and is capable of providing seating for 250 people.
The Whakatane War Memorial Hall also incorporates a sports stadium which accommodates two full-sized basketball courts. As well as basketball, the stadium is used for badminton, volleyball and other indoor sports. Large concerts, functions, commercial and cultural exhibitions are often held in the stadium facility.
Bookings and enquiries for the Whakatane War Memorial Hall can be made through the Visitor Information Centre phone 07 308 6058.
Murupara Memorial Hall
The Murupara Memorial Hall was built in 1962 and is used mainly by sporting groups, as it has an indoor basketball court, three badminton courts and a volleyball court.
Bookings can be made at the Murupara Service Centre, phone 07-366-5896.
Ohope Hall
The Ohope Hall is situated in Bluett Road, Ohope, adjacent to reserve land and was built in 2000. The Hall is primarily a sports hall which accommodates an indoor netball court and is also used for other indoor activities (badminton, aerobics, karate and indoor soccer). The hall has some fixed seating, storage, indoor and outdoor toilet and changing facilities.
Bookings and enquiries for the Ohope Hall can be made through the Visitor Information Centre phone 07 308 6058.
Other Council Halls
For information or bookings, unless listed please contact the Customer Services Centre of the Council to obtain the name of the current booking agent: 07 3060500.
• Whakatane District War Memorial Hall (contact the Visitor Information Centre, ph 07- 308-6058)
• Awakeri War Memorial Hall (contact Betty Lyon 308 9584)
• Edgecumbe War Memorial Hall (contact Lois Smeaton 304 8048)
• Galatea War Memorial Hall (contact Mrs Cloake 07-366 5419)
• Manawahe Hall (contact Enid Valentine 07-322-1069)
• Murupara Municipal Hall (contact WDC Service Centre 07-366-5896)
• Murupara Sports Pavilion (contact WDC Service Centre 07-366-5896)
• Ohope War Memorial Hall (contact the Visitor Information Centre, ph 07-308-6058)
•Otakiri Hall (contact Tess Davies, 07- 304-8130)
• Taneatua War Memorial Hall (phone Diane Yalden 312 9335)
• Taneatua School and Community Hall (contact Betty Reuben through the Taneatua School 07-312 9365)
• Te Teko War Memorial Hall (contact Ted Eivers 07-322-8335)
• Waimana-Nukuhou War Memorial Hall ( contact Christine Kora 07-312-3585)
Privately Owned Halls
• Nukuhou North Settlers Hall ( Mrs F Pierces 07-312-3200)
• Otamarakau Hall (Tauranga District, Mr B Shearer 07 533-3574)
• Thornton Hall (Clive Stephen 07-304-8804)
• Awakaponga Hall ( L Mexted 07-322-2298)
• Whakatane Rowing Club Hall (07-308-6932)