Forum North upgrades seating while supporting community reuse
Published on 18 February 2026
Several Whangārei community organisations are the proud new owners of quality seating, thanks to Forum North’s recent upgrade and a commitment to reuse rather than waste.
As part of planned improvements to the Whangarei District Council‑owned venue, Forum North replaced its ageing mix of chairs with modern seating better suited for long-duration conferences, performances and events.
While the new chairs improve comfort for audiences, the focus for staff was ensuring the outgoing chairs could continue to serve the community.
Although no longer ideal for a high‑demand venue, the existing chairs remained in good condition – making them perfect for marae, cultural centres and other community spaces.
Forum North staff reached out to local organisations to rehome the seating, ensuring it could continue to support gatherings, celebrations and community activities for years to come.
Venues and Events Operations Team Leader Nic McCully said the redistribution was a highlight of the project.
“It’s great to be able to upcycle these assets and pass them on to community groups who will get a lot more life out of them yet. It’s a really positive outcome for both the venue and the community.”
Chairs have now been successfully gifted to:
- Terenga Paraoa Marae
- Whananaki Marae
- Te Tari Marae
- Te Puawaitanga Marae
- Hihiaua Cultural Centre.
By ensuring the seating found new homes, Forum North has supported local groups while reducing waste – reflecting the venue’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, responsible asset management and strong community partnerships.