And So It Begins ... Masterton Town Hall Demolition Prep Under Way

Friday, 10 October 2025, 4:17 pm
Article: Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

Just days out from the local body elections, Masterton’s town hall is barricaded with safety fencing, pavers are being lifted, and preparations are under way for demolition. 

A Masterton District Council spokesperson said the demolition start date was not yet set but visible exterior works would likely start in December or January. 

They said Quality Demolition and Contracting Ltd would be on site from Monday doing preparation works which included further asbestos testing which would inform the timeline of work. 

They would also be lifting the pavers at the front of the town hall to protect them. 

The progress comes a day after a community event hosted by the Masterton Ratepayers and Residents Association (MRRA) bid farewell to the century-old building which had been closed to the public since 2016 when it was deemed earthquake-prone. MRRA president Lyn Riley said Sunday’s farewell to the town hall was “a poignant and memorable occasion”. 

“Despite the weather, it was heartening to see such a strong turnout – with people coming together to honour a building that has meant so much to so many over the years,” Riley said. 

“The hall holds a special place in our collective memory. It’s where we gathered, celebrated, debated, and marked important milestones as a town.” 

She said with fencing now in place and contractors on site, the demolition was “officially under way”. 

“The loss of the town hall marks the end of an era – one that deserved more care and consideration and I personally was hoping that demolition would not start until after the elections so that a new council would have time to reflect on possibilities following the earthquake-prone building regulations review. 

“But that moment too has now passed.” 

Riley, who was standing for election in Masterton’s general ward, said she hoped any future development on the site would “honour the legacy of what once stood there”. 

She hoped the community would remain at the centre of all future planning. 

“If this experience has shown us anything, it’s that people care deeply about this town – and that’s something worth protecting and building upon.” 

The MRRA was formed in 2021 after the Hands Around the Town Hall Protest where about 1000 people gathered in a show of support to retain the civic buildings. 

At that time, as part of its 2021-31 Long-Term Plan process, the previous council locked in a budget of $26.8 million it would borrow to build a new civic facility, and $4 million from external sources. 

A site at the northern end of Masterton had been earmarked for this new build. At that time, the future of the current town hall site remained uncertain. 

In 2022, the project was placed on hold after estimates put the cost of the new civic facility at more than $70 million, inclusive of contingency. 

A new council was elected later that year and in 2024, a majority of councillors voted to demolish the town hall and municipal building, including the façade, and build anew on the same site for a cost of no more than $25m. 

A resource consent application to demolish the buildings was lodged at the end of the year and a hearing was held in April, with a decision released in May allowing demolition. 

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

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