Hornby Community Centre gifted a meaningful name

Ngāi Tūāhuriri has gifted a special name – Matatiki – for the new community facility that is under construction in Hornby.

Construction of Hornby Community Centre began in November 2021 and is expected to be completed in late 2023. Boffa Miskell landscape architects are providing design and CPTED assessment from concept stage through to detailed design and will assist with tendering processes and construction observation.

The gifted name was chosen because it reflects the unique natural features of Christchurch’s southwest – the area the new facility will serve – and was gifted by Matapopore.

Matapopore is the mana whenua voice in recovery and is responsible for ensuring Ngāi Tūāhuriri/Ngāi Tahu values, aspirations and narratives are realised within the recovery of Christchurch.

“Much of Christchurch gets its fresh drinking water from the underground aquifers that discharge through the Ōpāwaho-Heathcote and Ōtākaro-Avon Rivers in the Hornby area. Matatiki means spring of water and represents the importance of water as a source of life and wellbeing,” Lynne Te Aika from Matapopore says.

“Traditionally, the river waters were central to the way of life for mana whenua and an area of mahinga kai – an interconnected system which produces food and sustains life,” she continues.

Boffa Miskell project manager, Gabe Ross says, “The western suburbs are some of the most multicultural in Christchurch and the design team was very conscious of the need to give the local community a sense of belonging and ownership in the facility.

“The gifting of the new name is a meaningful step in providing the community recreation complex an identity that speaks to the cultural heritage of the area.”

Christchurch City Council Head of Recreation, Sports and Events Nigel Cox says the name that is being gifted is fitting for the new facility as it will be a source of wellbeing for the people of Ōtautahi-Christchurch.

“We are building this new facility to serve the growing population in the city’s south-west. It is going to be a place for people to come together to exercise, to learn and to play and to connect with others,’’ Mr Cox says.

For further information please contact Gabe Ross