For immediate release 
20 October 2021 

Pool namesake founding father of Kawerau Township 

The Maurie Kjar Memorial Swimming Pool complex is taonga of the district. 
The well-maintained complex is free to enter and its heated spa pool and range of pools, splash pad and bouncy pillow enjoyed by all ages. There is also a large covered barbeque area, which offers a wonderful complex for local whānau, sports teams and visitors. 
The complex is heated by steam from a purpose-drilled geothermal bore that was installed around 1970, which greatly reduces the operational costs. 
Like many of Kawerau’s feature areas, the pool complex is named after one of the town’s founding fathers - Maurie Kjar (pronounced Care) who is a well-deserved namesake for this wonderful community complex. 
Maurie Kjar was born in Palmerston North in 1922 and educated at Palmerston North Boys High School. During World War II he served in the 18th armoured regiment in Italy. He left his position as office manager for the NZ Forest Service at the Waipa State Mill to join Tasman Pulp and Paper Company Limited in 1954. 
His first position was as executive assistant to the sawmill manager. He swiftly moved through the ranks, holding several executive positions, including in the Commercial department at January 1962 before being appointed General Manager in 1972.
Maurie took a keen interest in community affairs in Kawerau and served three years, from 1959 to 1962, on the first Kawerau Borough Council. He was one of the band of dedicated workers responsible for the planning and construction of the Kawerau Swimming baths. Maurie was a founding member of the Kawerau Cosmopolitan Club and a member of the Whakatāne Golf Club, the Kawerau RSA and an honorary member of the Kawerau Chamber of Commerce. 
Mr Kjar was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1955. 
Maurie passed away in Rotorua Hospital on June 12 1974 after a long illness.
Married to Kathleen, known as Kath, Rima Kjar and had two daughters - Barbara DOB:4/10/1950 and Margaret DOB:23/11/1952.
Information from Irene Sandle, Exhibition Text and Obituary in Kawerau Gazette 19

VN 2015.89 Photographs courtesy of the Kawerau Sir James Fletcher Museum
Pictured: Maurie Kjar; Ray Barnes; Merv McNally; Fred Waller; Bob Howell; Earnie Hennesy; Red Pepperell; World War 2; Maadi Military Camp; Egypt; Cheops Pyramid