Rūnanga - United We Stand - save a True Icon of New Zealand's Heritage
Help restore the iconic façade of the Rūnanga Miners’ Hall – an authentic built remnant of early 20th-century community life in New Zealand.
Runanga, West Coast
For 116 years, the Rūnanga Miners' Hall has stood as a beacon of our heritage. This grand yet practical building, seating around 750, was rebuilt in under 8 months in 1937 following a suspicious fire that destroyed the 1908 Hall. Both Halls were all-inclusive cultural, entertainment and sporting centres. Generations have grown up attending, clubs, benefit concerts, plays, musicals, dances, and flower shows; but most memorable for many, were the ‘pictures’ that have been shown in the Miners' Hall almost since its opening.
The Hall has also been a stage for political activists whose organisational skills have been crucial in developing the shape of our democracy in New Zealand and influencing events even further afield.
Damage from a 2014 cyclone saw ownership of the Hall passed to a Trust, who have used the insurance money and other grants for restoration. The roof has been fixed, earthquake strengthening completed and three walls repaired - but the iconic facade remains in disrepair.
This is a pressing issue for Rūnanga. Cost inflation means the Trust needs an extra $200,000 to finish these exterior works.
The Trust is building to costed and engineer-approved plans that will complete the restoration of the front wall and reinstate the veranda to a modern earthquake-resistant standard. Central to these plans are the reinstatement of the 1930s joinery and the instantly recognisable signwriting which has inspired the locals of Rūnanga for those 116 years - "United We Stand".
About us
We will raise and administer funds for the restoration, preservation and maintenance of the Rūnanga Miners' Hall, and reinstate the Hall as our community centre from which to tell the stories of Rūnanga people and their influence through the decades.
Use of funds
This specific campaign is to raise funds to ensure the iconic front-facing facade of the Miners' Hall is accurately restored. Specific uses include the restoration of the famous messaging "United We Stand, Divided We Fall", and the 1937 doors and windows.
Latest update
Looking Sharp 1 May 2025
The Hall is now looking stunning with pretty-much all the exterior works complete. A photo taken recently - featuring RMHT Committee Member, Rick Barker - shows how it looks. For most people there is still something "odd" about it - and that is the absence of the large arch-shaped windows. There has been a skilled piece of heritage restoration required for these, but the third of the 3 is now nearing completion, and they will soon go into the front wall to complete the rebirth. We are now moving to scoping out how to bring the Hall back into use in stages that will fit with our fundraising efforts to support the interior fit-out.
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