Avondale's new library, community hub and upgraded town square Te Hono
2018 - TBC
- Avondale
- In Progress
- Urban regeneration
- Mana Whenua
This new, modern and lively community hub will include a library and offer flexible spaces for gathering, learning, creating, while celebrating Avondale's diverse culture.
With versatile indoor and outdoor areas, Te Hono will cater to a wide range of community events and activities. It’s part of our vision to create a vibrant, connected hear for Avondale, setting it up for the future.
Overview
Te Hono, Avondale’s new library, community hub, and upgraded town square, is a project lead by the Auckland Urban Development Office, on behalf of Auckland Council, in partnership with mana whenua. Auckland Council is focused on constructing the building (library and community hub), while the Urban Development Office will enhance the town square and surrounding outdoor areas. Together, we're committed to creating an inclusive hub that serves as a focal point for both locals and visitors.
Strong, future-focused communities need high quality local services to support growth, attract investment and support the local economy, and Te Hono will play an important role in ensuring this happens in Avondale.
Project vision
Te Hono is set to become the vibrant heart of Avondale, uniquely reflecting the area's identity through a thoughtfully integrated, multi-purpose community hub and upgraded town square. The design emphasizes community activation, supporting a wide range services and activities.
Celebrating the significance of mana whenua and Avondale’s rich cultural landscapes, Te Hono will be a place for learning, creativity, and meaningful social interaction, while also complementing and energising the Avondale town centre.
Key features
The updated design for Te Hono reflects the project vision and outlines the hub’s key features and functions, while remaining aligned to the project’s original design brief of providing:
- Pātaka Kōrero / Library space, including Wai Tuhura (tamariki/children space)
- Te Whakatōpū / Community hall
- Te Pou / Street-level Community room
- Huimanga / Reserve-level community room
- Te Rauora / Community kitchen
- Messy creative space
- Parenting room
- Toilets and showers
- Spaces for the Citizen Advice Bureau and Plunket
- Staff work spaces and storage spaces
- Kitchenettes
* Bookable meeting rooms include the community hall, community room, street and reserve level spaces, and small meeting room spaces.
To find out more about the design, click here.
Next steps
We're getting closer to starting construction on Te Hono...
But before we can get underway, there are a few more changes happening around the town centre:
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Building deconstruction and parking changes: In November 2024, we said goodbye to the row of buildings at 1971–1987 Great North Road to make way for Te Hono. Fencing was installed, and the car parks in front of the site were closed in May 2025. To support local businesses during construction, we've worked with the Avondale Business Association to provide temporary parking at 6 Racecourse Parade (the former 3Guys site), with 60 new spaces, improved access, and signage to help guide visitors.
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Access changes to Avondale Central Reserve: Access from Great North Road to the reserve closed from April 2025, along with the netball courts. The reserve is still accessible from 28 Racecourse Parade.
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Early works and nature play area: In June 2025, early works began onsite, including the removal of brick paving and water meters, and the installation of sediment controls. At the same time, a mini nature play zone opened beside the basketball court at Avondale Central Reserve. Accessible via 28 Racecourse Parade, it’s a fun, safe space where kids can balance, hop, and play—part of a wider plan to connect playful spaces with Te Hono.
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Continuing site preparation: From July 2025, we’ve moved into the next phase of preparing the site. This includes removing the remaining concrete building walls and floor slab, and constructing a new retaining wall. There’ll be more noise as heavy machinery is used, but we’re installing acoustic curtains (sound-reducing blankets) along Great North Road to help reduce the impact.
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Dale the Spider: The distinctive spider statue that graced Avondale’s town centre for more than 20 years has been removed to make space for construction. It's now safely in storage while the Avondale Business Association progresses plans for its restoration. You can read more in their latest magazine.
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A Spring Construction start: A construction contractor is scheduled to be appointed by late August/early September, in time for construction to begin in Spring 2025
What’s in a name?
Te Hono, meaning "the connection," perfectly encapsulates its role in the community—offering ways to connect place, people, and purpose. The name was gifted by mana whenua representatives from Te Kawerau ā Maki and is supported by Te Ākitai Waiohua, Ngāti Te Ata, and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
A key role in urban regeneration
Te Hono is a cornerstone of the Auckland Urban Development Office's Avondale urban regeneration programme. It aims to breathe new life into Avondale and ensure the neighbourhood is resilient and can support a strong community. Through this project, we’re working to make the town centre a more vibrant and welcoming place, with better-quality housing, improved public spaces, and enhanced connectivity.
Background
- The need for a new Avondale Library and Community Hub was identified in the Central West Community Needs Assessment and facilities investigation conducted in 2016. The chosen location, which includes the row of shops at 1971-1987 Great North Road, Avondale, was approved by the Whau Local Board. This site offers the best long-term outcomes for the community, allowing the new facility to be seamlessly integrated with an upgraded town square.
- Te Hono is set to become the vibrant heart of Avondale, reflecting the area's unique identity through a thoughtfully integrated multi-purpose community hub, and upgraded town square. The design brief vision includes encouraging community ownership and activation, supporting the delivery of responsive programmes, services, and activities, and creating a flexible, multi-purpose facility that brings community together.
- Celebrating the significance of mana whenua and Avondale’s cultural landscapes, the hub will be a place for learning, creativity, and meaningful social interaction, while also complementing and energising the Avondale town centre.
- Centrally located in the town centre, Te Hono will feature modern library spaces and versatile multi-use areas that can host a variety of community events, both indoors and outdoors. The concept plan, which was approved by the Whau Local Board in June 2021 following public consultation, ensures that the hub meets the needs and aspirations of the Avondale community. For more information, click here.
- In 2022, 30 additional parking spaces were built to support access to Te Hono, ensuring that locals and visitors can easily attend services and events at the hub.
- The approval of the concept plan allowed for the development of a preliminary design, which was adopted by the Whau Local Board in September 2023. This design reflects the community’s input and outlines the hub’s key features and functions. More information on the design detail and history can be found here.
- In September 2023, Auckland Council voted to reallocate $15 million from the planned Whau Aquatic and Recreation Centre development budget to secure the future of Te Hono, underscoring the project’s importance to the Avondale community.
Key timeline
Location of Te Hono approved by Whau Local Board
December 2018
Other projects in Avondale
- Avondale
- Complete
- Urban regeneration
Deconstruction works at 10 Racecourse Parade, Avondale
01/07/2024 - 14/10/2024
- Avondale
- Complete
28 Racecourse Parade Car Park
15/05/2022 - 15/08/2022
- Avondale
- Complete
Crayford Street West upgrades
28/02/2022 - 22/07/2022