At 5.30am on Friday 3 October nearly a hundred residents of Ranui and the wider community gathered for the dawn blessing of Rānui Pātaka Kōrero, the new library for Ranui and Swanson people. Leaders spoke about its significance to the community and the special importance of learning to all our young people.
After the blessing of the building by kaumatua, the kowhaiwhai panels created by Sunnah Thompson were unveiled and blessed, telling stories of some of the ancestors of Te Kawerau a Maki, mana whenua of the area. Artist Nic Moon’s work – the Earth Forest around the fireplace, painted in local clays by the handprints of more than 500 locals of all ages and cultures, and the carved and painted shovels above – symbolizes the more recent story of European settlement.
The new library is a great joy to us all – not only the superb art work completed by Nic Moon and Sunnah Thompson, but also the sunny children’s area, the quiet reading spaces upstairs, the 27 computers, the new up-graded and expanded book and DVD stock, and the wonderfully colourful cushions, seats and carpets.
A big crowd enjoyed the Open Day on Saturday 4 October, and every day since the library has been a centre of excitement and learning for families.
Congratulations to the Auckland Council for making this $8,000,000 investment in the Ranui community. And especial thanks to the Library staff who managed the transition and continue to provide a friendly and supportive service in this four-times-larger library. We also acknowledge the wonderful cooperation within the Design Team (left to right): Annalily van den Broeke, Auckland Council Arts Manager; Lars von Minden Jasmax Architect; Nic Moon, Installation Artist; Mirla Edmundson, Customer Experience Manager, Libraries. Thank you all, and the builders and contractors,l for making such a beautiful place.
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