Parks Week 2024

Stoneycroft

Constructed around 1875, the New Zealand Heritage listed Stoneycroft is the oldest of the buildings showcased during Parks Week. Join Knowledge Bank volunteers as they lead tours of this beautiful building located in Stoneycroft Reserve, 901 Omahu Road. The Knowledge Bank is based in the building and is overseen by the Hawke’s Bay Digital Archives Trust who were heavily involved in the fundraising and physical work that brought the building up to the standard it is today.

Community use

While not available for public hire, the Knowledge Bank at Stoneycroft is open on weekdays to visitors who would like to know more about the services it provides. The 2.5-hectare garden is permanently open to the public.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT KNOWLEDGEBANK.ORG.NZ OR CALL (06) 833 5333.

Women's Rest, Civic Square

Join Heretaunga Women’s Centre staff as they showcase the Women’s Rest building on International Women’s Day. A Category 1 Heritage Building, the Centre started life in 1921 as a Women’s Rest: a place where women could come to rest, feed their babies, and take lunch with friends. Today Heretaunga Women’s Centre is based in the building offering confidential, non-judgemental support to women in the form of social groups and services, as well as making rooms available for hire to external individuals and groups.

Community use

The comfortable, welcoming newly refurbished and renovated rooms are available for rental by the hour, half day or whole by the whole community.

TO MAKE A BOOKING, VISIT HERETAUNGAWOMENSCENTRE.NZ OR CALL (06) 878 5401.

Keirunga Homestead and Cottage, Keirunga Gardens

Visit the beautiful Arts and Crafts style Homestead and Cottage that was constructed in the early 1900s. Recently refurbished and now available to the community to book for a wide range of community events through the Keirunga Gardens Arts and Crafts Society, the Homestead and surrounding gardens will be set up in a wedding celebration theme with a coffee cart available. The creative activities of the Arts and Crafts Society will also be on display, with members on hand to provide further information about their groups. People are encouraged to explore the buildings and relax in the beautiful gardens. 

Community use

The buildings can be booked as individual rooms or the whole facility, for a range of events including meetings, conferences, weddings, and family celebrations.

More information about Keirunga Gardens and the heritage buildings can be found here.

TO MAKE A BOOKING IN THE KEIRUNGA CREATIVE ARTS VENUE INCLUDING HOMESTEAD AND COTTAGE, VISIT KEIRUNGA.ORG.NZ OR CALL (06) 875 8585.

Te Mākaramū (The Meeting Room), Cornwall Park

Opened in 1929, the gorgeous former Tea Kiosk building was refurbished in 2022 and is now a popular venue for different community functions and celebrations. Located next to the children’s playground, it will be set up in a birthday party theme. Mr Whippy will be on site, along with a children’s face painter, and a maker table courtesy of the Hastings Libraries team.

Community use

Te Mākaramū is available for hire as a single space, including kitchen and toilet facilities. It is suitable for small events such as community group gatherings and private functions or used in conjunction with events utilising the wider Cornwall Park (such as the playground for birthday parties) for non-exclusive use.

TO MAKE A BOOKING, VISIT HASTINGSDC.GOVT.NZ/TE-MAKARAMU OR CALL (06) 871 5000.

Mackersey Family Pavilion

Visit the cricket pavilion dating back to 1938, and relocated to its current position in 2016, which is available to the community to book for a range of small functions and events. The Havelock Handmade Market, full of local craftspeople who create their products with skill and care, will also be on-site from 9am to 2pm.

Community use

The Mackersey Family Pavilion is available for hire, together with kitchen and toilet facilities. It opens onto the pavilion’s large tiled outdoor area, through beautiful French doors. The pavilion is suitable for small events such as children’s birthday parties, small private functions, or community group gatherings.

 TO MAKE A BOOKING, VISIT HASTINGSDC.GOVT.NZ/MACKERSEY-FAMILY-PAVILION OR CALL (06) 871 5000.

Duart House

Constructed in the 1880s, Duart House is the second oldest of the buildings showcased during Parks Week. While Duart House will be hosting a separate event on 9 March, the building and museum are otherwise open to the public on the first Sunday of each month 10am-12pm (unless booked). Outside of these times, visits are by prior arrangement.

Community use

Duart House and the surrounding three acres of gardens make it a delightful boutique venue for all kinds of functions, including weddings, small conferences, and workshops.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO MAKE A BOOKING, VISIT DUARTHOUSE.ORG.NZ OR CALL (06) 877 6334.