Foxton’s Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom has become an integral part of the community since it opened on November 18 last year.
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom is a multi-purpose community hub dedicated to the preservation and development of Horowhenua’s cultural, social, and economic heritage.
It houses New Zealand’s national Dutch museum and a Maori museum – the Oranjehof Dutch Connection Centre and the Piriharakeke Generation Inspiration Centre repectively.
It also contains Foxton Library, Horowhenua District Council’s Foxton customer service centre, a café, a visitor information centre, community exhibition space, and meeting and conference facilities.
“Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom has a wide audience,” says Horowhenua District Council Cultural and Community Centre Manager Hendrix Warren.
“It provides services for the local Foxton community, as well as facilities, events, and exhibitions attracting visitors from across Horowhenua and outside the district.”
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom was developed by a collaboration between Horowhenua District Council, Foxton Community Board, Dutch Connection Museum Trust, and Te Taitoa Maori o Te Awahou Trust.
Eight months after opening, 111,231 people had visited Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, and Foxton Library book issues for December 2017 were up 78% from December 2016.
“Being part of Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom has put our library at the heart of the community, and that is refl ected in the positive lending statistics,” says Hendrix.
“It’s an inviting, stimulating, safe place for young and old alike to spend time.”
In addition to a thriving library, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom has maintained a busy and varied schedule of events, including Sinterklaas by the Manawatu Dutch Society, glass art workshops by Australian glass artist Ruth Oliphant, an on-site holiday programme during the summer holidays, musical duo Toi Warbrick, the Big Dutch Day Out, and the Abel Tasman Exhibition.
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom has also hosted tour groups from Foxton Day Tours, and even a wedding. Hendrix says the facility is giving Foxton people opportunities they never had before.
The development has also enjoyed an astonishing run of success in national and international awards, as the winner of the NEC Project of the Year at the NEC Awards 2018, the Public Architecture Award at the New Zealand Institute of Architects Western Architecture Awards, and the Museum Project Excellence Award at the New Zealand Museum Awards.
In addition, it was a finalist for the Creative New Zealand EXCELLENCE Award for Best Creative Place in the Local Government New Zealand EXCELLENCE Awards 2018.
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom houses New Zealand’s national Dutch museum – the Oranjehof Dutch Connection Centre, and a Maori museum – the Piriharakeke Generation Inspiration Centre.
Horowhenua District Council chief executive David Clapperton is delighted with the recognition Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom is receiving.
He says the awards reflect the growing national and international recognition that the facility is a great asset for the Foxton community and an outstanding example of what can be achieved by working together.
“The awards recognise the incredible contributions of many individuals, organisations, and the community over a number of years,” he says. “Everyone involved in making Horowhenua District Council a reality can be very proud.”
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Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom was developed by a collaboration between Horowhenua District Council, Foxton Community
Board, Dutch Connection Museum Trust, and Te Taitoa Maori o Te Awahou Trust.
