Delighting in cultural heritage in Foxton

​Have you visited Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom yet? If not, now is the time to make the trip to Foxton and enjoy the delights the hub has to offer.  

​Described by Horowhenua District Council as a multi-purpose cultural and community hub, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom houses Piriharakeke Generation Centre – a Māori museum, arts and learning centre, Oranjehof Dutch Connection Centre – New Zealand’s national Dutch museum, Horowhenua District Council’s customer service centre for Foxton, Foxton Library, meeting rooms, a café and exhibition spaces.

The centre is a collaboration between Horowhenua District Council, the Dutch Connection Museum Trust, and Te Taitoa Māori o Te Awahou Trust. These organisations wanted to achieve five key objectives: promoting economic growth; providing an attractive destination; preserving culture and heritage; environmental awareness and action, and generating pride and vibrancy.

“We see our objectives as interconnected,” says Hendrix Warren, Cultural and Community Centre Manager.

“Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom makes Foxton and Horowhenua a more attractive destination by housing a number of complementing attractions, which celebrate the cultural heritage specific to this area, together in the centre of Foxton.

“It has become a tourist attraction that draws visitors into the town, supporting tourism in the district and ultimately promoting economic growth in our region.”

It has become a popular vibrant space, with over 81,000 visitors to the centre since opening in November last year.  Foot traffic to the Foxton Library in particular, has dramatically increased. In March 2018, visitor numbers were 54 per cent higher than in the same month last year, and library issues increased by 113 per cent.

“Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom has a wide audience,” says Hendrix.

“It provides services for the local Foxton community, as well as facilities, events and exhibitions that attract visitors from across Horowhenua and outside the district.”

Speaking of events, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom will host the Abel Tasman exhibition ‘Welcome Aboard’ until July 22nd. Then in June, various events are planned to celebrate Matariki.
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So make the trip, check it out and spread the word.