Whakatāne District Council has a number of community halls available for hire for sporting, social or cultural events and private functions. Please view Fees and Charges for costs.
Halls for Hire
Whakatāne War Memorial Hall
The Whakatāne District War Memorial Hall is a popular community facility located at Rex Morpeth Park on Short Street.
Ōhope Hall
Ōhope Hall was built in 2000 and is primarily a sports hall, used for indoor netball, indoor bowls, badminton, aerobics, karate and indoor soccer.
Edgecumbe War Memorial Hall
Sited on the corner of Kauri Street and Main Street in Edgecumbe, this hall features indoor sporting facilities and a supper room and kitchen for functions.
Other halls
Information on the Murupara War Memorial Hall, Edgecumbe War Memorial Hall, rural halls, and halls and venues provided by other organisations.
Tōtara Event Space
The Tōtara Event Space, located in the main Council building, is available to hire for after-hours events.
Terms and Conditions of Hire - Community Venues
Our terms and conditions have been developed to ensure your event runs smoothly and with minimal disruption. These should be read in full including any specific requirements for individual facilities.
Contact information
For general enquiries, please contact the Reserves & Bookings Administrator by emailing venues@whakatane.govt.nz or calling 07 306 0500.
You can check availability and make bookings online for most of our halls.
Booking and bond information
Bookings
We would appreciate being given as much notice as possible to ensure the best time slots for your requirements to be met. The bond must be paid and contract signed no later than 1 week before the first day of hire. Recurring bookings cannot be made any further than 31 December each year.
There is a minimum hire period of one hour.
Preparation and setup time is charged by the hour and needs to be part of your booking.
Booking extensions can be arranged if no other bookings have been made.
Hirers will forfeit all deposits if a booking is cancelled without adequate notice. Refer to Terms and Conditions of Hire for more information and timeframes.
Bonds
You can make an application for a bond refund after your event and once your hire fees have been paid in full. Account holders are issued an invoice for the hire fees in the first week of the month, following their booking(s).
Non-account holders are required to pay all hire fees up front. Once the bond refund form has been lodged with Whakatāne District Council, please allow 10 working days for the credit.
Alcohol
A Special Licence is required for any event where alcohol will be present, whether it is being sold or provided for free. Events with alcohol hold a higher bond amount of $550. The provision of alcohol within the hall is subject to a responsible attitude being demonstrated, and users are to ensure that members of their party do not abuse the privilege. Bars are available within the Reception Lounge and the Little Theatre. No glasses are available. A standard cleaning fee of $200 is required for the stadium floor if alcohol has been consumed.
Cleaning and standards for use
Cleaning
You are allowed to clean the facility yourself to avoid extra cleaning costs, so long as the hall has been restored to the condition originally set. This will be monitored by the hall Custodian.
If the cleaning standard has not been met after hall hireage, the Custodian may contact you to return and complete the task. Otherwise, they will clean to the required standard at a charge of $50 per hour.
Standards for use
No tacks, nails, screws or staples shall be driven in any part of the premises. No decorations, native foliage or trees may be placed in the hall without the custodian's approval. Blu-tack and cello tape may only be used with the express permission of the custodian.
The stadium cannot be used for indoor hockey. Use of the facility for soccer and rugby is subject to age of any children involved.