Masterton Town Hall: Plough On Or Rethink?

Wednesday, 10 September 2025, 3:04 pm
Article: Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

Masterton’s town hall is up for demolition. Local Democracy Reporting asked the council’s general ward candidates if they support the current Long Term Plan direction to build a new facility on the site.

Gary Caffell

Yes, with the proviso the rebuild is completed within the allocated budget and both savings and financial sustainability is assisted by grants, sponsorship (naming rights), donations/gifts and fundraising (for which a group has already been formed).

As the project is intergenerational it should also be loan funded over a significant period which will mean the effect on rates on a year to year basis would be minimal and would not compromise our spend in other important areas.

The focal point would be a 700- seat plus auditorium which would make it the entertainment hub of the Wairarapa and with amalgamation sure to be a serious conversation over the next three years the time could come when operating costs are shared on a regional basis.

It would also open up greater opportunity for outdoor events in the town square as they could be moved into the town hall if weather intervenes.

To me, it is now or never for this project, the costs will only grow if we delay any longer.

Brent Goodwin

Not as currently framed at $25 million, which will cost ratepayers approximately $1.9m per year.

This proposal is for a regional facility with only local funding. Its predicted usage is very low and infrequent, it doesn’t stack up.

If, and when, we are discussing amalgamation would be a more appropriate time to consider it.

Masterton District Council is currently underspending on roads and footpaths.

There are significant water cost increases looming – over $1000 a year for some.

Many of our residents are retired and have limited income – they are finding it increasingly challenging to be able to afford to stay in their homes.

Council can’t keep increasing rates faster than residents income growth.

If the public were enthused enough to raise half the cost, as they did for the ambulance headquarters, I’d be more positive.

Rob Harvey

I oppose the Long Term Plan’s proposal to demolish Masterton’s Town Hall and rebuild on the same site (up to $25 million).

First, this project strains already-stretched household budgets – especially as many residents face rising water rates and uncertain economic conditions.

Council should prioritise essential infrastructure before committing to a non-essential civic facility.

Second, there's significant community opposition.

A vocal majority – including the Masterton Ratepayers & Residents Association – has called for pausing or mothballing the building instead, arguing the project lacks a solid business case.

Third, procedural transparency remains a concern. The Auditor-General and Ombudsman flagged that the council hasn’t sufficiently documented the rationale for moving ahead despite expert advice against proceeding.

Finally, this heritage building holds deep historical and emotional significance.

Tear down erases cultural memory — no new structure, regardless of utility, can compensate for that loss.

In sum, in today’s economic climate and given the contested process, it’s fiscally and socially irresponsible to proceed with destroying the Town Hall for an uncertain replacement.

Andrea ‘AJ’ Jackson

A decision has now been made to demolish and rebuild the Masterton Town Hall on the current site. After years of debate, there is little scope to revisit that decision.

Many in our community are understandably fatigued by the process. It’s time for leadership and a clear path forward.

The focus must now be on delivering a town hall that is functional, affordable, and designed so it can be expanded or adapted in the future.

It should meet the needs of a diverse community – not just in design, but in accessibility and cost of use.

Local groups must be able to use it without facing ongoing costs that are out of reach.

My assumption is that the $25 million budget reflects thorough feasibility work, including due diligence on the site and soil conditions.

We must ensure the rebuild stays within the funds agreed and that ongoing costs remain manageable for local groups and ratepayers.

The next term will be critical, with major changes ahead for local government and regional councils, Local Water Done Well, Resource Management Act changes, and potential rates caps.

We must stay focused, deliver lasting value, and ensure a town hall the whole community can be proud of.

Gail Marshall

The history of the Masterton Town Hall has covered generations of Mastertonians and it is classified as a heritage building. In 2016, it was deemed an earthquake risk and was closed to the public.

The Masterton District Council leased the empty ANZ building and bought Waiata House at a cost of $4 million and continued to operate in both places.

In 2023, an advisory group was formed and consultation with the public was sought as part of the Long Term Plan review.

The decision was made by the council to demolish the Town Hall following discussion on alternatives. It is now 2025.

As a new candidate, I am shocked at the amount of wasted time and money the consultation process and in-house council debate has taken, to reach a decision.

To retain the façade and build anew would have cost $38.6m. The council has set a $25m budget for demolition plus a new building.

Enough money has been wasted to get to this point.

I want to see a new future for a civic centre that truly represents the Masterton cultures of today.

We are not the Art Deco Napier, we are Masterton.

We want a place that represents and connects our communities.

Henriette Nagel

I recognise the importance of the Town Hall to Masterton’s community life.

It has been a central hub for events, performances, and gatherings for generations, and any decision about its future needs to balance heritage, community use, and fiscal responsibility.

While I support the principle of providing a modern, safe, and multi-functional facility that meets the needs of our community, I do not believe now is the right time for significant spending.

Masterton families and residents are facing financial pressure, including rising rates and broader economic challenges, so any investment must be carefully timed and considered.

I have not had access to all the recent information since the last time I worked on this project, and I would welcome the opportunity to review the details provided to current councillors, including options, expert advice, and supporting data.

Without this, I am unable to make a fully informed decision.

Ultimately, any decision must be transparent, evidence-based, and aligned with the community’s needs.

My focus is on ensuring Masterton invests wisely, prioritises long-term value, and provides a space fit for purpose while protecting our community from unnecessary financial strain.

Tim Nelson

I am so opposed to the destruction that I’ll approach my response a little differently.

I can’t support any decision tied to the demolition of the Masterton Town Hall.

It’s never been something I’ve backed as a councillor. Pulling it down would be a sad day for our town, because we’d be destroying one of our most iconic and recognisable buildings.

And the simple truth is, it doesn’t need to happen.

Even the Infrastructure Minister has said demolition isn’t the right move. The other issue is that this project just isn’t realistic.

Costs keep climbing, and by the time we even get close to building something new, a substantial amount of the $25 million budget will already have been eaten up on the demolition and other costs.

How can anyone support a project that will never be achieved within the money set aside?

I also wouldn’t be surprised if council is asked down the track for even more funding, beyond what was originally budgeted, under the usual excuse of “unforeseen circumstances”.

It’s a plan based on false hope, not financial reality. Meanwhile, our community is under pressure with rates, and the real priorities are clear – water, roads, and the core infrastructure that actually keeps Masterton running.

Spending millions to knock down a building that didn’t need to go isn’t progress. It’s waste, and it’s the wrong call for Masterton.

Lyn Riley

I support a new community facility, but cannot back an arbitrarily set $25 million plan without certainty of costs. 

There is no fully costed design, no business case, and no clarity around annual operating or depreciation expenses. 

Ratepayers – already under financial pressure and facing substantial water rates – deserve transparency and value for money before committing to such a major project. 

The Long Term Plan consultation was flawed. 

All three options involved demolition, and the council’s narrow 5–4 vote gives no mandate to erase our heritage. 

The façade matters: retaining it is estimated to cost under $2 million — less than half the price of demolition.

It is more than bricks and mortar; it is a visible link to the people who built our town and is a key part of Masterton’s identity. 

Demolition must be paused until the Government’s review of earthquake-prone building standards is complete, and there is clear evidence a new facility with the retained façade can stay within budget. 

Then the community can make an informed decision. 

Ratepayers deserve full disclosure, affordability, and respect for heritage — and voters deserve to have the final say on the future of their town hall before demolition begins. 

Then we can proceed with certainty.

Other candidates

Māori ward candidate Marama Tuuta did not respond. 

Mayoral candidates Bex Johnson and Craig Bowyer are also standing for the general ward and their responses have been published previously. 

Mayoral candidate Waireka Collings is also standing for the Māori ward and her response was published previously.

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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