https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2508/S00669/construction-finished-fit-out-starts-on-te-matapihi.htm
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Construction Finished, Fit-Out Starts On Te Matapihi |
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Today the restoration of Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library reached a huge milestone, with construction work now officially finished the site is handed back to Wellington City Council for the fit-out, with the project on time and on budget.
“After four years of construction, Te Matapihi is now restored to more than 100 percent of the new building standard, and we’re looking forward to completing the internal fit–out, bringing back the books, and celebrating the reopening with Wellingtonians in March 2026,” says Wellington City Council’s Chief Operating Officer James Roberts.
Te Matapihi will be a modern, uniquely Wellington library that celebrates the history of Pōneke and has mana whenua narratives woven throughout.
“The building has been redesigned in partnership with mana whenua, and brings together a new suite of integrated services – Nōku te Ao Capital E, Wellington City Archives, and the library, with all the collections that go along with it,” adds James.
“From books to study areas, exhibitions, cultural experiences, maker spaces and school programmes, this will be a place for the whole community to enjoy, engage, and learn.”
The main contractor on the restoration was LT McGuinness, and Project Director Jeff McHardy says they’re incredibly proud to lead the team towards a successful handover.
“Strong collaboration, as well as early contractor involvement, were key strengths throughout the project to finish the building on time and on budget.
"It’s a testament to the planning, commitment to collaboration and hard work of everyone involved. Despite the complexity of the project, we’ve achieved a fantastic result.
“Between the Council, consultant teams, and us at LT McGuinness, we knew teamwork was the only way to meet our shared goal of delivering a refreshed and resilient public space for Wellingtonians to enjoy.”
Council’s Te Ngākau Project Director Paul Perniskie says the completion of Te Matapihi construction signals the beginning of the reawakening of Te Ngākau Civic Precinct.
“When Te Matapihi opens in March 2026 it will be the start of our civic heart coming back to life, with City Gallery reopening late 2026, and Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall will follow in early 2027.
“It’s been a long wait for Wellingtonians, and we especially appreciate the patience of those who live and work close to Te Matapihi. There’s been a lot of disruption, but now we’re looking forward to reopening our civic buildings and spaces, and bringing the people, the positivity, and the pride back to the area.
“Special thanks to the design team of Athfield Architects and Tihei, Aurecon structural and building services, our main contractor LT McGuiness and the many subtrades, RCP project managers and RLB quantity surveyors, who have all delivered a high-quality outcome for Wellington. Their professionalism and dedication is highly appreciated.”
The total cost of the building design and build inclusive of furniture, fittings and equipment is within the $217.6 million budget.
Te Matapihi has a central role in the life of our city – it is one of Wellington’s most significant social pieces of infrastructure, our community ‘living room’.
In 2020, work began on the future of Te Matapihi. This process involved consultation with the Wellington public including mana whenua, and many other key stakeholders and partners. The feedback was clear, Wellingtonians wanted Te Matapihi to be first and foremost a safe, resilient, and future-proofed library, a centre for public knowledge, and a multipurpose, multi-use resource for the community.
Mana whenua representatives have co-designed Te Matapihi with the Council and are fully engaged in its delivery. Through this relationship, Taranaki Whānui and the Council are reimagining Te Matapihi by investigating the evolving intersection between traditional libraries, information services, and the unique environment of Pōneke.
The design of Te Matapihi recognises the natural world that flourished where Te Matapihi and the wider Te Ngākau Civic Precinct now stand. Te taiao, our natural environment, is central to the design of Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui.
The following stats are from the Te Matapihi build process:
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