The Whakatāne District War Memorial Hall is a popular community facility located at Rex Morpeth Park on 7 Short Street. The War Memorial Complex has ample parking and provides cultural and sporting facilities for many organisations in the District.

The Centre was opened by the Governor-General in 1978. It was built around and over the earlier War Memorial Hall. The building has retained the original main entrance, plaques and honours scrolls.

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The Centre includes the Little Theatre, which seats over 270 people and is used for recitals, conferences, seminars and theatrical productions. A loop system is installed in the first four rows for the hearing impaired. The theatre is backed by a large rehearsal room.

The large, carpeted entrance foyer provides bar and ticketing facilities and can also be used as a separate function room if the entire complex is hired. Next to the foyer, separated by sliding soundproof doors, is the carpeted reception lounge with a bar and kitchen facilities, and a parquet dance floor. It is available for receptions, meetings and conferences.

The Whakatāne War Memorial Hall also incorporates a sports stadium that has two full-sized basketball courts. The stadium is also used for badminton, volleyball and other indoor sports. Large concerts, functions, commercial and cultural exhibitions are often held in the stadium.