Old Municipal Building ready for another century of community life
Published on 23 April 2026
Whangārei’s Old Municipal Building – one of the city centre’s oldest and most cherished landmarks – is reopening following an extensive restoration after fire damage.
Mayor Ken Couper says the completed restoration project honours the heritage of the building while updating it for modern use.
“We have so few historic buildings left in Whangārei and the commitment to restore the Old Municipal Building – or Old Town Hall as it is known by many – preserves this iconic place for another century of community life.”
The Old Municipal Building was officially reopened on Wednesday 22 April 2026 with a small ceremony attended by contractors who worked on the build, as well as the building’s tenants.
The ceremony was officiated by Peter and Eva Vaughan of Te Iwitahi Mānihera Whānau, who are among the mana whenua whose ancestral land the building is situated on, with a service by Reverend Howard Carter from the neighbouring Hope Presbyterian Church, and a speech by Mayor Ken Couper.
The first Whangārei Municipal Offices were in Lower Bank Street, but they became inadequate for the growing town. Considerable public debate followed over choice of a new site, culminating in a referendum in July 1911. Of the three potential options, the site at 71 Bank Street was chosen.
The foundation stone for the new Town Hall and Municipal Building was laid on 12 July 1912 by Whangārei Mayor Thomas Steadman. Construction, carried out by local Radcliffe and Burton, was estimated to cost £8,152.
Officially opened on 22 May 1913, the Municipal Building originally housed a reading room, library and ladies’ restroom on the ground floor, with Borough and County Council offices above.
The building was supplied with electric lighting generated by an onsite power plant.
Adjoining it was a large Town Hall with a stage and seating for 1,000. A significant cultural institution of its time, the Town Hall was demolished in 1984 due to structural issues.
The Old Municipal Building was designed by architect Hugh Grierson, who had a distinguished career and was responsible for designing many notable buildings throughout New Zealand.
Classified as a Group B heritage building, its distinctive features include the elegant clock tower, ornate facade, decorative mouldings, and the gold‑embossed District Coat of Arms that still graces the exterior.
After the Council relocated to Forum North in 1989, the building became a bustling home for community organisations – until a major fire in 2019 left it severely damaged.
The restoration journey was long and complex. The $7.4 million project faced significant delays due to insurance negotiations, Covid‑19 disruptions, and the engineering challenges typical of century‑old structures.
Specialist work included anchoring new foundations into the underlying basalt rock and installing more than 3,000 brick ties to secure the annex’s triple‑layered brick wall, ensuring long‑term stability.
Today, the landmark stands beautifully restored and strengthened for the future.