Whakatāne Considers $20 Million to $59 Million Investment Options for Rex Morpeth Hub

Whakatāne District Council is considering investment options ranging from $20 million to $59 million for the future of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub, as it looks to balance community needs with affordability.

Councillors received their first detailed look at the options during a public briefing on Wednesday, 28 October, as part of the development of the Long Term Plan 2027-37.

No preferred option has been identified, and no decisions have been made.

The proposals range from essential renewals through to additional indoor sports capacity, more flexible community spaces and improvements to connections across the site.

Mayor Nándor Tánczos said the options represent a more targeted approach than the major redevelopment previously considered.

“What we’re looking at now is very different from the scale of redevelopment previously considered for the Hub,” he said.

“We’ve gone back, listened carefully to what our communities actually need and worked with what we already have to develop options that are more in keeping with our means.”

The Hub is one of the district’s busiest community facilities, recording more than 5,200 users each week.

It includes the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, Little Theatre, Aquatic Centre, Rugby Park, sports fields, The Art House and public open spaces.

Council staff said parts of the precinct have a significant renewals backlog, while increasing demand is putting pressure on existing facilities.

The previous Long Term Plan considered a redevelopment valued at around $100 million, but councillors requested further work to identify a more affordable approach.

In September 2026, Council approved $14.9 million for major renewals at the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall. That investment is already committed and will address the building’s condition, safety, accessibility, functionality and seismic resilience.

The latest options consider what additional investment might be needed across the wider Hub.

The lower-cost $20 million option focuses largely on essential renewals.

The $59 million option would also provide additional indoor court capacity, more versatile spaces and improved connections across the site.

Indoor recreation is a significant consideration, with independent analysis identifying a shortage of indoor court capacity across the district and further demand expected as the population grows.

The options also explore parking, accessibility, public spaces and strengthening the Hub’s role as an emergency welfare centre.

Council General Manager Community Experience Alexandra Pickles said the investment needs to reflect the facility’s importance to the district.

The full Investment Case and Concept Plan will return to Council in November.

Communities are expected to have their say in March and April 2027, before final decisions are made in June.