Te Whare Whakatere is the new name gifted to Ashburton’s new library and civic centre.

The new name replaces the two previously gifted by Te Runanga o Arowhenua after Ūpoko, Te Wera King, toured the new building recently and decided the previously gifted names didn’t fit.

“I was absolutely blown away by the place,” King said.

Having walked through the building, King felt he had a better understanding of the building and that one name for the overall building was appropriate.

“Te Whare Whakatere literally translates as The House of Ashburton and this name was chosen to reflect that this is a multi-purpose building that will be used by a number of different groups and all should feel that this is their house.”

The pronunciation can be Whakatere or Hakatere, he said.

In November, 2021, Arowhenua gifted the library the name Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi (the storehouse of publications) and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka (the gateway of Hine Paaka) for the civic centre.

The library will be known as Te Kete Tuhinga, which means a basket of script.

The council chamber will be called Hine Paaka, an ancient matai (beech) tree that once stood at Alford Forest.

It was a really well known landmark by Maori and early settlers, King said.

The new gifted names were formally received by the Ashburton District Council at a meeting on Wednesday, following a presentation from King.

By Jonathan Leask