Dargaville Town Hall Project

Independent assessments found the buildings had significant condition, compliance, fire safety and health issues, including water damage and mould. We investigated repair options but found they would require substantial investment and would not provide the same long-term benefits as a future replacement facility. We decided the demolition of the Hall and Annex and the restoration of the heritage-listed Municipal Chambers, and planning for a future community facility is the most practical and responsible option.

The contractor will begin work on 1 October, with careful site preparation and safety measures put in place before demolition starts. 

We have awarded the contract to C3 Construction Ltd, a commercial and high-end residential Auckland based construction firm. A subsidiary of 3 Group, C3 Construction Ltd will remove all the materials in the Annex and Hall according to strict health and safety protocols.  

No. The Municipal Building will remain closed during demolition to keep people safe. We will share progress updates on our website and through our usual channels. Find out more here: www.kaipara.govt.nz 

Parking in front of the Municipal Building or Hall complex during construction is prohibited. The work will also limit access to parts of Jaycee Park, while the public toilets will be closed for the duration of the project. Safety fencing will clearly show which areas remain open. 

The current Hall has been closed since 2023, and we have worked closely with local community groups to find other venues for their activities.

A replacement facility is being planned, but a construction date has not yet been confirmed. Council has established the Northern Wairoa War Memorial Hall Working Group to explore funding opportunities, assess options, and develop recommendations for a future facility. Any new build will require a design process, funding arrangements, and Council decisions before construction can begin.

The total project budget is $3,570,207 across several years. 

The project has been complex because it has involved several interconnected buildings, serious building condition issues worsened by significant weather events, heritage considerations for the Municipal Building, and funding challenges.

Independent assessments found the Hall would require extensive and costly repairs to meet modern building standards, while the adjoining Annex had significant deterioration, mould and compliance issues. Repair costs were estimated to be close to, or higher than, providing a replacement facility, without delivering the same level of accessibility, functionality and long-term value. Council therefore decided and future replacement is the more practical and affordable option for ratepayers and the community.

Yes. We commissioned independent assessments and engineering reports on the cost of repairing them and the cost of maintaining those repairs.

We will do everything we can to keep the project on schedule, but construction delays can happen. If the project faces major delays, we will tell the community and stakeholders and explain any changes to the timeline. 

Council will repair the outside of the Municipal Building and restore the area exposed when the Annex is removed. This work will retain the building’s original character and retain the fire exit from the theatre. We will also add toilets behind the building for theatre users and upgrade the fire safety and accessibility systems. 

We are restoring and remounting the flag. We plan to display the flag in the reception area of the Dargaville office at 32 Hokianga Road. 

We placed the piano, commemorative flag, kauri table, print of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and hand-painted mural in secure storage. We know these items matter to the community and want people to enjoy them again. We cannot confirm yet where we will display them, but we expect to return them to the new Northern Wairoa War Memorial Hall when the project is complete. 

In May 2026, elected members set up the Northern Wairoa War Memorial Hall Working Group, responding to the loss of Dargaville’s existing Hall following the decision that the current facility is no longer viable to repair and must be demolished. Council acknowledged the War Memorial Hall title carries an important commemorative legacy for the community, and there is a clear wish for the new facility to continue honoring that legacy while meeting current community needs.

The working group advises the council. It helps council identify external co-funding partners, define what the replacement community facility should provide, and explore practical ways to deliver a facility that reflects the community’s needs. 

Mayor Larsen, Deputy Mayor Lambeth, Councillor Tane and Councillor Nathan sit on the Working Group. 

The working group advises the council. It helps council find co-funding, help define what the replacement community facility should provide, and explore practical ways to deliver a facility that reflects the community’s needs. 

The group’s terms of reference can be found in the 27 May council meeting paper.