Arthur at Work (and Play!)
At just 14 years old, Arthur Howe is one of the youngest volunteers at Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL), but he brings energy, curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose to everything he does. Arthur joined the volunteer team during Term 2, with his first day falling on May fourth, Star Wars Day. A fitting debut for a self-confessed Star Wars fan.
Arthur first connected with the library by striking up a conversation with Regan Gray, Library Hub Specialist, and soon began assisting with Lego Club on Thursday afternoons. A longtime Lego enthusiast, Arthur enjoys helping younger children build and create. During the school holidays, he helped with the library book sale and robotics sessions, appreciating the lively pace and the chance to chat with visitors.
Home-schooled until earlier this year, Arthur started as a Year 9 student at Feilding Agricultural High School in 2025. The shift to mainstream schooling was part of his long-term goal to join the New Zealand Army, which requires secondary school attendance. So far, he’s made a smooth transition, enjoys science as his favourite subject, and says he feels settled. He’s also active in the Feilding Army Cadets and has recently taken up fencing.
Volunteering is a natural fit for Arthur, who fondly remembers attending STEM Club at the library as a younger child. In his downtime, Arthur enjoys hanging out in the community hub’s youth space on weekends, catching up with friends and playing Nintendo Switch. As he puts it simply, “The Community Hub is an amazing place to be.”
Volunteer Arthur Howe in the Youth Space at Te Āhuru Mōwai, where he hangs out with friends.