Preserving Te Mata Hall: A Community Story
The Te Mata Hall Makeover Project aims to restore our historic 1905 hall, preserving it as a vibrant gathering space for our community.
Te Mata, Waikato
For over a century, Te Mata Hall has been the heart of our community.
Built in 1905, it's seen generations come together for celebrations, meetings, and milestones. But time has taken a toll on our beloved hall, and it’s in need of major repair to ensure it stands strong for the future.
Thanks to a recent competition win, we’re excited to give Te Mata Hall a fresh exterior paint job—but there’s so much more we need to do before that can happen. Aging weatherboards need replacing, the roof requires a full overhaul, and windows, cladding, and structural support all need attention. We’re working hard to honour the hall’s original character while giving it the protection and care it deserves.
Our community has already rallied together, with local businesses offering discounted materials and volunteers committing time and effort. However, to cover the full cost of repairs, we need your support. With a goal of raising $50,000, every contribution will bring us one step closer to a revitalised Te Mata Hall, ready for another hundred years of memories.
By supporting this project, you’re not just preserving a building—you’re helping to keep our community’s heritage alive. Join us in this mission to restore Te Mata Hall and ensure it remains a gathering place for generations to come. Every dollar counts, and we’re grateful for any support you can give.
About us
We are a volunteer group of individuals in Te Mata (near Raglan) who are passionate about reinvigorating our hall and its availability to the community and the wider public.
Use of funds
Funds raised will go towards essential expenses including scaffolding, shrouding (to ensure all-weather work), weatherboard replacement, bracing, reroofing and re-spouting, and window repairs, with every dollar supporting critical restoration work.
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Latest update
Thanks to your support, Stage One is well underway! 19 March 2025
We've made a lot of progress in stage one, so hold your hats and let me take you on a quick journey through the mahi that has happened.
- The hall is fully scaffolded and wrapped for all weather protection
- The colours have been confirmed - for the roof, Colorsteel's Pioneer Red and, for the exterior walls, Resene Merino.
- 850 LM of weatherboards were dropped off near the end of February and, with the help of the community, they were undercoated and given one coat of their top coat.
- The NZ Army allocated 4 x qualified carpenters who stayed for a total of 11 days while the community either volunteered their time or helped out with hosting them (I think we may have fattened them up whilst they were here!)
- The front and rear of the building have been completely stripped of weatherboards, all repairs completed and builder's paper and new weatherboards have been screwed up (I want to make a special mention of Jeremy Cornes here who this week completed the fixing of the weatherboards at the front of the hall)
- We have put out a call to action for qualified carpenters to carry out the remaining tasks in stage one.
- We have two new windows in the supper room. The window to the rear of the supper room looks amazing installed. The window by the sink is yet to be installed.
- The sash windows are almost completely repaired.
There's still much to be done but our volunteer project lead, Dan Grimshaw, is keeping things going. A big thanks to Dan and The Reno Guys!
Latest donations
Thank you Liz for your contribution. We're a step closer to our goals thanks to you! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see our progress.
Susan, a huge Thanks for your contribution. We're a step closer to our goals thanks to you! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see our progress.
Thank you Jenny for your contribution. We're a step closer to our goals thanks to you! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see our progress.
Who's involved?
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