Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom gains another significant grant

Another half-million dollars in external funding has been obtained for Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, the flagship facility incorporating the PiriharakekeGeneration Inspiration Centre, the National Dutch Connection Museum, and Foxton’s library and community service centre.

The $500,000 grant is from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board’s World War One Commemorations, Environment and Heritage Committee. It funds projects that will contribute community benefits and increase public access to New Zealand’s cultural heritage; preserve and protect New Zealand’s natural environment; or preserve New Zealand’s history for future generations.

Horowhenua District Mayor Brendan Duffy says the $500,000 will go towards constructing display cases and installing museum-standard heating and ventilation, fire protection, lighting and electrical services at Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom.

“Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom will be a world-class facility, and this is why it has attracted third-party funding. But we still need more and we’re working hard to secure more,” he said.

The $7.4 million project is being funded from a variety of sources. This week’s Lottery grant brings the total amount of external funding obtained so far to $2.89 million. Also included is $1.25 million from New Zealand Lotteries’ Significant Projects Fund and Community Facilities Fund, $500,000 allocated from the Foxton Beach Freeholding Account, $170,000 from the Eastern and Central Community Trust, and $470,000-worth of in-kind contributions from the Dutch Connection Trust.

In addition, the Dutch Connection Trust and Te Taitoa Māori o Te Awahou will contribute another $500,000 each. Sourcing further external funding will continue.

Council is contributing $2.65 million, which includes the $900,000 purchase of the old Mitre 10 building which is to be developed into the multi-purpose community hub, and home to:

• Piriharakeke Generation Inspiration Centre - celebrating local stories and aspirations, with a focus on Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and its hapū who have links to Te Awahou (Foxton).

• New Zealand’s National Dutch Connection Museum that will inform, educate and inspire New Zealand about its Dutch connections.

• Council’s Foxton customer service and visitor information centre, as well as the Foxton community library.

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom will also include world-class galleries for local, national and international exhibitions; meeting rooms, lounge spaces,demonstration and performance spaces; workshop and learning spaces; and a cafe. The facility will be integrated with the surrounding amenities such as deMolen Windmill, Whare Manaaki Māori Gallery, the Flax Stripper Museum, and the upgrade of Foxton’s Main Street.

Mayor Duffy says it will be “a flagship facility like nothing else in New Zealand”.

"Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom has a highly innovative combination of recreational, cultural, heritage, nature- based and community activities. People have expressed a view that this is a place for people from many cultures come together in this shared space."

ENDS

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