The Hāwera Public Library (now Hāwera LibraryPlus) in High Street has served the town for close to 125 years from the same building. It was built in 1896 and opened to the public in early November of that year.

It was designed by George Card and the contractors were Messrs MacIndoe and Carter. The other contactors involved in the project were: Mr. W Day (painting & decorating), Mr J.Makin (plumber) and Mr Whittington (bricklayer). 

The Hawera Town Centre Heritage Inventory states that the building has undergone many internal changes to suit changing circumstances. Puke Ariki holds plans (ARC2004-981) by Rough & Duffill and Stephen Gibson, drawn in 1928, for the re-modelling of the library.

A new library and civic centre, Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga, is being built on the corner of Regent and High Streets. 

Related Information

Website

Remodelling Hawera Public Library for Hawera Borough Council [plans]

Link

The Public Library 1903 (NZ Graphic collection)

Link

New Library & Institute (Hawera & Normanby Star, 31 October 1896)

Link

Please do not reproduce these images without permission from Puke Ariki. 
Contact us for more information or you can order images online here.