Moerā Neighbourhood Hub and Reserve

Creating a fit-for-purpose, welcoming space that is responsive to the community.

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The long awaited Moerā Neighbourhood Hub opened its doors to the community on 1 March. The new Hub, located on the site of the previous Moerā library, provides a vibrant community space for locals to connect, learn and play.

With connection and sustainability at front of mind, the building was developed in close consultation with the Moerā community, ensuring its longevity as a Hub that will continue to meet the needs of its people for generations to come.

Local company, Niche Modular Construction built the Hub in a fully controlled environment, using innovative building methods with sustainability central to their work.

The modern methods of construction used means the building can have additional modules added, and it can be relocated up to 10 times in its lifetime – if community requirements changed to that degree.

The building also uses 100% recyclable steel so that when the building eventually comes to the end of its life it will be largely recyclable.

The Moerā Neighbourhood Hub project began in 2023, following an investigation that found the pre-existing Moerā library building had issues with water tightness and needed significant repairs.

Work continues on the neighbouring Moerā Reserve, which expands from the north end of the hub.

Truck with a section of the new Moerā building

A truck moves a section of the new Moerā building

A crane lifts a section of the new Moera hub into position

Following investigation, we discovered that the current Moerā library building has issues with watertightness and needs significant repairs. Due to the state of the current building, we have decided to rebuild it, rather than proceed with repairs.

Early work on designs has given rise to a new idea on how to make the most of this opportunity while also following Council’s approach to resilience and sustainability.

Designs for the new building are being developed based on feedback from the Moerā community and their desire for a building that is flexible, inclusive and welcoming while also connecting to the surrounding community facilities. Having collated these needs via consultation, a new building which offers longevity, resilience and a flexible, larger, open plan design is more sustainable cost-effective option than renovating the existing building.

The existing building will now be replaced with a sustainable, relocatable, purpose-built facility which will operate as a Neighbourhood Hub, delivering a range of services including library services.

The wider Moerā Reserve where the hub sits is also being refreshed, including the public toilets.

While the transition is underway, services including the library and public computers will continue to be provided at a temporary location in the area.

Deomolition of the old building took place on 23 September, 2024.

After a successful tender process, Niche Modular Construction Ltd has been awarded the contract to deliver the new Moerā Neighbourhood Hub.

The new hub, located on the existing Moerā library site, will provide a vibrant community space for locals to connect, learn, and play. The facility will feature an open plan space that allows access to vital library services such as library books and other collections, internet access, printers, photocopying and much more. The new hub also offers a fantastic connection to the reserve and playground outside with bifold doors and deck around the north side of the building.

Niche brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the project, having successfully delivered over 100 education spaces comprising of 450 building modules constructed at their innovative modular construction hub in Petone, Lower Hutt.

The construction timeline is being finalised with the new hub expected to be completed by year end.

Moerā Reserve

As part of the Moerā Neighbourhood Hub redevelopment, we’re also refreshing the Moerā Reserve that expands out of the north end of the new hub.

We’ve engaged Design Group Stapleton Elliott and together we’ve been collecting the community’s ideas for the space.

The refresh will be completed in a phased approach with the first phase being developed concurrently with the new hub by Niche Commercial Ltd. Phase one includes the public toilets, paving and planting in the immediate outdoor area of the hub.

Phase two will follow in 2025 and includes the wider reserve area from the hub to behind the Community Hall.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on what you wanted to see in a refreshed Moerā Reserve.

Your feedback showed a strong focus on inclusive play, accessibility and multi-purpose areas that could be used by all ages.

We heard that the community would like:

Different types of play opportunities (both traditional and informal natural play as well as organised play like a basketball court).
A safer parking area with more mobility parks and better bike parking.
A BBQ, seating, and better spaces for gatherings and community use.
Safety and accessibility improvements throughout the Reserve.
Public art that reflects the local identity.
Preservation of existing trees and use of native plantings.

While we don’t have the budget or scope to do everything, we have used the feedback to help inform the proposed designs for the Reserve. The plan shown below (or view the PDF) is an initial layout based on the priorities from the community engagement.

Moerā Reserve Initial Design

A BBQ was a much-requested new feature and we now need your feedback on where you think it should go.

Check out the initial design for the Reserve, then email us at parks.reserves@huttcity.govt.nz by 19 March 2025 to let us know which of the three location options for a BBQ you like the best.