Keeping Up Appearances Award

The Manawatū Community Hub Libraries building, Te Āhuru Mōwai, located on Stafford Street, has been honoured with the Keeping Up Appearances award by the Keep Feilding Beautiful Committee.

Keep Feilding Beautiful affiliated to Keep New Zealand Beautiful presented Manawatū Community Hub Libraries with the Keeping Up Appearances award. Lydia Smith, Library Hub Specialist, accepted the award from Dennis Rodgers. She was pleased that the award gave recognition for the Manawatū Community Hub Libraries building, Te Āhuru Mōwai.

Notably, Te Āhuru Mōwai stands out as a modern contemporary structure, displaying natural wood and glass, and surrounded by native plantings. The building was designed by Architecture Plus Ltd award-winning architects based in Wellington. Cultural elements are also prominently displayed throughout the building. Along Stafford Street, you will notice vibrational waves referred to as Ihirangaranga on the building's exterior. On the second floor, you'll find the seven stars of the Matariki constellation, each serving as a guiding and welcoming symbol.

Dennis, a representative from the Keep Feilding Beautiful Committee, explains, “This award is presented monthly to local businesses and organisations that have made significant enhancements to their premises.” The award may be conferred for various improvements, including exterior painting, garden maintenance, or innovative window displays.

Keep Feilding Beautiful is a dedicated group of volunteers committed to promoting litter reduction, fostering community pride, encouraging personal responsibility, implementing beautification projects, advocating for environmental care, and facilitating waste reduction initiatives.

Dennis, an avid gardener, admired the ferns, ponga, and vibrant orange flowers in the gardens. He noted that the recent plantings around the building have significantly enhanced its exterior.

Lydia Smith, the Library Hub Specialist from the Manawatū Community Hub Libraries, receives the award from Dennis Rodgers of the Keeping Feilding Beautiful Committee.