Public notification - Lease Application
Waikato District Council (Council) is publicly notifying an application from Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Naho (TRoNN) to lease the former I-site building at 156 Great South Road, Huntly/Raahui Pookeka for a 20-year term (an initial term of five (5) years, with three rights of renewal, each of five (5) years).
Expression of Interest - Preferred Candidate
Council ran an expression of interest process throughout July and August 2025 which invited submissions from community groups to lease the former I-site building. TRoNN was selected as the preferred candidate by a panel of Council staff, and were invited to formally apply to lease the building.
Pursuant to section 54, 119 and 120 of the Reserves Act 1977 the next step to process is to publicly notify the application. Submissions or objections received during this notification will be considered by Council before a decision is made.
Next steps:
- Publicly notify TRoNN lease application (this notification is open for one month)
- Once notification closes, Council will consider submissions/objections & hold a hearing if one is requested.
- Council will then consider the lease application from TRoNN alongside any submissions/objections (along with all other considerations) and decide whether to grant the 20-year lease.
Lease Application - Who are they and what do they do?
TRoNN seeks to lease the former I-site building to establish a Cultural Heritage and Education Hub and base for their Waka Ama group.
TRoNN became a registered society established on September 6, 2004, to advocate for the interests of Ngaati Naho hapuu members and promote benefits for both Ngaati Naho and the broader Waikato community. While much of their current cultural and heritage work focuses on Rangiriri—such as the reconstruction of the historic trenches—the rohe of Maurea Marae (which is their principal marae) extends from Taupiri through to the Bombay Hills, encompassing Huntly and surrounding areas.
The proposal aims to deliver community benefits by increasing access to cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities, revitalising traditional sports and strengthening connections to the Waikato River, and fostering wellbeing, cultural identity, and intergenerational learning.
Core proposal for the building:
- Cultural Heritage & Education Hub: Deliver educational programmes, cultural experiences, and workshops for youth and whānau.
- Waka Ama Base: Provide secure storage for waka, training facilities, water safety and skipper licence courses, and expand participation in waka ama.
- Supporting the Rangiriri Cultural Sports Club who provide rugby league, netball, with aims to expand into hunting and fishing, and touch rugby.
- Host community events, sports programmes and cultural gatherings.
- Support youth development through grants, workshops (including AI and environmental kaupapa), and partnerships with local marae.
TRoNN presently provides a range of community services and have a strong history of delivery. They oversee a variety of other projects such as the following:
- Kaitiaki of the historical Rangiriri trenches who are responsible for the creation of the replica trenches. Providing cultural tourism and education initiatives to share Waikato history.
- Provides cultural experiences for schools and youth programmes, hosts annual events like Ahurei ki Rangiriri, and runs youth self-defense programmes.
- Engages in cultural services and whānau support for schools and correctional facilities.
Land and building
The building previously operated as an Information Centre for Huntly until it closed in 2019. Since the closure, the building has remained vacant and suffered from vandalism. If TRoNN are successful, Council will work alongside them to achieve best outcomes for the community.
The land on which the building is situated is classified as a recreation reserve under the Reserves Act 1977. The primary purpose of a recreation reserve is to provide an area for recreation and sporting which TRoNN is proposing to provide.
Public notification - Have your say
All submissions (whether in support or opposition) must be submitted by no later than 5pm on Friday 12th December 2025.
Submissions on the lease application can be made using the interactive form below or submitted by email or by post. You can download a PDF submission form here.
Note: Please indicate if you wish to present your submission to the hearings panel. If only submissions in support are received, a hearing wont be held.
Email submissions
Email your form to strategic.property@waidc.govt.nz with any questions or submissions.
Written submissions
Written submissions can be dropped into any Waikato District Council Office, Hub or Library or can be sent to:
The Property Officer
Waikato District Council
Private Bag 544
Ngaaruawaahia 3742
Privacy note
Submissions on this application will be made publicly available, however contact and personal details will be withheld. Your name will be public unless you specifically ask for it to be withheld.
