The Kawerau Information Centre will be managed in-house by Kawerau District Council from October 1.

Management of the centre has been brought in-house to enable better communication between Kawerau and other districts, and to help the council and its partners continue to positively promote and develop Kawerau. Previously the centre was managed by a contractor.

“We are quite excited about the changes,” Council economic and community development manager Glenn Sutton says. “It represents a pivotal step in promoting Kawerau.”

He says the move also brings Kawerau into step with other Eastern Bay districts; Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki District Councils already manage their respective information centres.

“Both these councils have been very supportive of Kawerau regarding these changes. It’s a great example of successful collaboration between Eastern Bay councils,” he says.

Plans are to refurbish the centre using a wood theme that stays true to Kawerau’s forestry origins.

Hannah Edwardson will take over as team leader of the information centre on October 1. Hannah is currently Kawerau District Council’s Neighbourhoods of Healthy Homes co-ordinator and will continue in this role. The Healthy Homes project will now be based at the information centre.