The history of the Kaipaki district goes back many years and was predominantly a farming area with the Kaipaki Reserve being developed through the goodwill of many people in the district at the time.
The Hall was built in 1913 but unfortunately the minute books from 1913-1927 were lost in a house fire and so
the history of events soon after the opening are not known.
What is known is an incorporated society was formed in 1933 to manage the facilities and the five acres surrounding the Hall were purchased from Charlie Weal in 1936 and the Tennis Courts and Cricket ground were developed later the same year.
The Hall ‘Title’ was vested to the Waipa District Council in 1962 after alterations to the Hall had been completed in 1961 and the official opening on 20 October
1962.
A new brick frontage was added to the Hall in July 1972.
The ‘Title’ for the sports ground and courts were vested with Waipa District Council in 1982 allowing the Board to spend the community rates on the upkeep of all the facilities.
Over the years there have been many people who contributed significantly to cricket clubs, tennis clubs, athletic clubs and many other sports clubs, sports and events. Bert Goodwin was the backbone of the cricket club for over 30 years, the Cunninghams ran the tennis club for over 30 years and many other families had huge input into this facility on behalf of the community. Some of those families (and we apologize if we have missed any) are the Boyds, Goodwins, the McEldowneys, Kites, Knudsens, Speakes, Akehursts, Cowleys, Ganleys, Bones, Wilkins, Bradleys, Verytts, Dela Rues, Claytons, Scott, Farrell and the Garmonsway family.
Kaipaki was seen as a prosperous country sporting centre and an example of good practice amongst rural communities. People traveled from Taupo to play cricket at Kaipaki who at one stage had four cricket teams. The tennis club also was extremely active and an example to other clubs.
Unfortunately farms became less in number as farms grew in size and family numbers decreased and clubs ceased to operate in 1997 and the facilities were left.
However over the last five years a steady increase in the population of Kaipaki is occurring. This appears to be due mainly to a focus on lifestyle blocks and Kaipaki’s proximity to Hamilton, Cambridge and Te Awamutu.
The Hall was built in 1913 but unfortunately the minute books from 1913-1927 were lost in a house fire and so
the history of events soon after the opening are not known.
What is known is an incorporated society was formed in 1933 to manage the facilities and the five acres surrounding the Hall were purchased from Charlie Weal in 1936 and the Tennis Courts and Cricket ground were developed later the same year.
The Hall ‘Title’ was vested to the Waipa District Council in 1962 after alterations to the Hall had been completed in 1961 and the official opening on 20 October
1962.
A new brick frontage was added to the Hall in July 1972.
The ‘Title’ for the sports ground and courts were vested with Waipa District Council in 1982 allowing the Board to spend the community rates on the upkeep of all the facilities.
Over the years there have been many people who contributed significantly to cricket clubs, tennis clubs, athletic clubs and many other sports clubs, sports and events. Bert Goodwin was the backbone of the cricket club for over 30 years, the Cunninghams ran the tennis club for over 30 years and many other families had huge input into this facility on behalf of the community. Some of those families (and we apologize if we have missed any) are the Boyds, Goodwins, the McEldowneys, Kites, Knudsens, Speakes, Akehursts, Cowleys, Ganleys, Bones, Wilkins, Bradleys, Verytts, Dela Rues, Claytons, Scott, Farrell and the Garmonsway family.
Kaipaki was seen as a prosperous country sporting centre and an example of good practice amongst rural communities. People traveled from Taupo to play cricket at Kaipaki who at one stage had four cricket teams. The tennis club also was extremely active and an example to other clubs.
Unfortunately farms became less in number as farms grew in size and family numbers decreased and clubs ceased to operate in 1997 and the facilities were left.
However over the last five years a steady increase in the population of Kaipaki is occurring. This appears to be due mainly to a focus on lifestyle blocks and Kaipaki’s proximity to Hamilton, Cambridge and Te Awamutu.
IF YOU CAN HELP US IN RECORDING THE HISTORY OF THE KAIPAKI DISTRICT, for example the names of people in these photos. please contact us.
Written by Board Secretary, Elwyn Bradley.
Original documents lost in a fire.
Original documents lost in a fire.
The kaipaki Hall was built and opened in 1913.
The 1913 - 1927 Minute Book and Balance Sheets are missing after being lost in a house fire.
The Hall was erected on a one acre section given by the then owner, Mr Waite...
"L Cowley, T Healey, A Scott, and J Scott canvassed the district and raosed £200. Voluntary labour built the basic rural structure at a cost of £450. The main building being 25' * 50' with spacious stage and dressing rooms" - Cambridge Museum.
At the time the Hall was owned and administrated by the Kaipaki Settlers Association. In 1935 the association was keen to acquire additional land adjacent to the Hall for a sports ground and eventually in 1937 opened an account with the National Bank of New Zealand.
"Kaipaki Settkers Hall Assoc. opened an account with the National Bank of NZ and arrange for accomodation up to £350"
Also that on 7 November 1935 a Special Meeting was held, that we try to purchase about 5 acres of land from Mr Charlie Weal for a sports ground.
This is the area where the tennis courts and cricket ground are currently located.
On the 21 April 1936 it was named the Kaipaki Recreation Ground.
In 1960 there was a need to modernize the Hall which lead to major renovation which resulted in an enlarged building described at the opening on 20 October 1962, as practically a new building. The opening was held at 1.30pm with a Dance in the evening to follow. Invites were sent to Mr Halley-Burton Johnstone, M.P.; Mr Brown, a County Engineer; Mr Hutchinson, County Chairman; Mrs Sullivan, County Clerk; Mr M Cunningham, Local Councillor; Mr Murtagh, Builder; Mr A Cowley,snr; Mr J Scott; and Miss Una Scott, whowere the first Trustees of the Hall.
A Special Meeting was held 17 Dec. 1960 to transfer the title of the Hall and section to the Waipa County Council to enable a 'household rate' to be struck to finance its ongoing operation under the management of a local committee, for the purpose of renovations and alterations etc. on the Hall.
In 1972 the new brick frontage to the building was added by builder, D.A. Murtagh of Te Awamtu, at a cost of $2,890. The title of the sports recreation ground was vested with the Waipa County Council in 1982, allowing the committee to utilize the Community Household rating on the upkeep of the grounds and Hall. The Hall continues to be the property of the Waipa District Council administered by the Kaipaki Settlers Hall Committee.
On 11 February 2010, at a committee meeting, Mr John Parker outlined his vision and reported on the Kaipaki Reserve Development Project. This initiated some discussion at the Mid-Winter Xmas Dinner. A public meeting on the 24 March 2010 was called to discuss this. John Parker outlined his ideas for a Community Centre with assistance of a projection screen. It was moved that the project go ahead subject to finance. A meeting was held with the Waipa Council at the chambers on 14 december 2010, to get their approval.
An Extra-Ordinary Meeting was held at the Waipa Council Chambers on 23 December 2010, and finance was granted, in the form of a $25,000 loan to be paid back by the target date. A further grant of $175,000 was made ( to be covered by the sale of a Waipa Council section at the Kaipaki Hall Corner. The remaining monies was raised by donations and poker machine grants.
On 6 June 2011, a new Constitution was formed and approved as an Incorporated Society.
On 31 August 2011 a new Board was elected with John Parker as Chairman. The opening of the Kaipaki Centre was held on 6 February 2012. It was opened by Mayor Alan Livingston who was presented with a framed montage of the Hall, with history and photos.
Life Members honours were made to Keith Goodwin, 45 years on Hall committee, with 3 years as Chairman; also Graham Coxhead, 38 years on Hall committee; Elwyn Bradley, 37 years as Secretary/Treasurer, the last two years as Secretary only, and continuing on the new Board.
The Life Members were presented with framed certificates and a framed montage.
In 2013, the Kaipaki Settlers Hall and Kaipaki Centre is continuing to thrive with tennis, netball, hockey, children's athletics, petanque, mini-golf, school holiday programmes, Inter-Street competitions, Mid-Winter Xmas Pot Luck Dinners,and many activities in the Hall.
A Community Centre to be proud of. Many thanks to Mr John Parker for a community revival.
This year, 2013, is our Centennial year. Celebrations are planned for November 9 - 10, 2013.
The 1913 - 1927 Minute Book and Balance Sheets are missing after being lost in a house fire.
The Hall was erected on a one acre section given by the then owner, Mr Waite...
"L Cowley, T Healey, A Scott, and J Scott canvassed the district and raosed £200. Voluntary labour built the basic rural structure at a cost of £450. The main building being 25' * 50' with spacious stage and dressing rooms" - Cambridge Museum.
At the time the Hall was owned and administrated by the Kaipaki Settlers Association. In 1935 the association was keen to acquire additional land adjacent to the Hall for a sports ground and eventually in 1937 opened an account with the National Bank of New Zealand.
"Kaipaki Settkers Hall Assoc. opened an account with the National Bank of NZ and arrange for accomodation up to £350"
Also that on 7 November 1935 a Special Meeting was held, that we try to purchase about 5 acres of land from Mr Charlie Weal for a sports ground.
This is the area where the tennis courts and cricket ground are currently located.
On the 21 April 1936 it was named the Kaipaki Recreation Ground.
In 1960 there was a need to modernize the Hall which lead to major renovation which resulted in an enlarged building described at the opening on 20 October 1962, as practically a new building. The opening was held at 1.30pm with a Dance in the evening to follow. Invites were sent to Mr Halley-Burton Johnstone, M.P.; Mr Brown, a County Engineer; Mr Hutchinson, County Chairman; Mrs Sullivan, County Clerk; Mr M Cunningham, Local Councillor; Mr Murtagh, Builder; Mr A Cowley,snr; Mr J Scott; and Miss Una Scott, whowere the first Trustees of the Hall.
A Special Meeting was held 17 Dec. 1960 to transfer the title of the Hall and section to the Waipa County Council to enable a 'household rate' to be struck to finance its ongoing operation under the management of a local committee, for the purpose of renovations and alterations etc. on the Hall.
In 1972 the new brick frontage to the building was added by builder, D.A. Murtagh of Te Awamtu, at a cost of $2,890. The title of the sports recreation ground was vested with the Waipa County Council in 1982, allowing the committee to utilize the Community Household rating on the upkeep of the grounds and Hall. The Hall continues to be the property of the Waipa District Council administered by the Kaipaki Settlers Hall Committee.
On 11 February 2010, at a committee meeting, Mr John Parker outlined his vision and reported on the Kaipaki Reserve Development Project. This initiated some discussion at the Mid-Winter Xmas Dinner. A public meeting on the 24 March 2010 was called to discuss this. John Parker outlined his ideas for a Community Centre with assistance of a projection screen. It was moved that the project go ahead subject to finance. A meeting was held with the Waipa Council at the chambers on 14 december 2010, to get their approval.
An Extra-Ordinary Meeting was held at the Waipa Council Chambers on 23 December 2010, and finance was granted, in the form of a $25,000 loan to be paid back by the target date. A further grant of $175,000 was made ( to be covered by the sale of a Waipa Council section at the Kaipaki Hall Corner. The remaining monies was raised by donations and poker machine grants.
On 6 June 2011, a new Constitution was formed and approved as an Incorporated Society.
On 31 August 2011 a new Board was elected with John Parker as Chairman. The opening of the Kaipaki Centre was held on 6 February 2012. It was opened by Mayor Alan Livingston who was presented with a framed montage of the Hall, with history and photos.
Life Members honours were made to Keith Goodwin, 45 years on Hall committee, with 3 years as Chairman; also Graham Coxhead, 38 years on Hall committee; Elwyn Bradley, 37 years as Secretary/Treasurer, the last two years as Secretary only, and continuing on the new Board.
The Life Members were presented with framed certificates and a framed montage.
In 2013, the Kaipaki Settlers Hall and Kaipaki Centre is continuing to thrive with tennis, netball, hockey, children's athletics, petanque, mini-golf, school holiday programmes, Inter-Street competitions, Mid-Winter Xmas Pot Luck Dinners,and many activities in the Hall.
A Community Centre to be proud of. Many thanks to Mr John Parker for a community revival.
This year, 2013, is our Centennial year. Celebrations are planned for November 9 - 10, 2013.