MCHL 2025: That’s a Wrap
As 2025 draws to a close, Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL) celebrates a year of activities, innovation, community connection, and award-winning achievements. With support from our community, Manawatū District Council, valued partners and the MCHL team has accomplished a great deal. A selection of MCHL staff (and Santa!) were captured in the end-of-year photo.
Looking back throughout the year, MCHL delivered a wide range of programmes both inside and outside of Te Āhuru Mōwai, from school visits, supporting community events to book clubs and under-5s Bright Sparks to Story Sparklers, after-school Craft clubs, and popular creative workshops including glass fusion, macramé, flower arranging, and wreath making. Digital services expanded with Hoopla and BorrowBox, the Library of Things added new interesting collection items, and the HomeLink delivery service continued to support those unable to visit in person. Makerspace use remained strong, supporting entrepreneurial business innovations, assisting customers with customised items, 3D prints, and laser-cut creations produced using innovative technology. As well as supporting six Community Libraries.
Partnership services such as JP clinics, Digi-coach support, legal advice, and Hato Hone St John visits were well received and continue to break down barriers for Hub users. Community engagement thrived through reading and school holiday programmes, author talks, the May the 4th Star Wars event, StoryWalks®, the Play Trailer at community events, and ongoing collaboration with Sport Manawatū. Planning is already underway for the 2026 Family Fun Day on 22 March at Victoria Park, Feilding—save the date! Te Āhuru Mōwai remained a vibrant venue, with busy meeting rooms and a striking new mural in the youth space.
Proud highlights of the year were Te Āhuru Mōwai being recognised nationally as a 2025 New Zealand Architecture Award winner in the Public Architecture category, acknowledging the redevelopment’s inclusion of Māori design elements. Te Āhuru Mōwau also won the New Zealand Master Builders Commercial Project Gold Award and the final award for the year is the ALGIM Customer Experience Award with the integration of the award-winning Open Plus system extended access until 11 p.m. seven days a week, making MCHL the first library in New Zealand to offer its community after-hours access.
MCHL extends sincere thanks to its dedicated team and volunteers, whose commitment underpins every service. We look forward to continuing to support, inspire, and connect our community in the year ahead.
A festive MCHL team snapshot, all smiles for the holiday season with Santa even included.