Cannons Creek is set to receive a brand-new library in the next two years, with Porirua City Council approving a $4 million project that leaders say will serve as a cornerstone for the community’s future.
The new facility will be built on Bedford Reserve, near Cannons Creek Pool, replacing the current library which has served the suburb since 1985. Funding for the project comes from existing budgets in the Council’s 2024–34 Long-term Plan.
A report presented to the Council’s Te Puna Kōrero meeting on Thursday outlined a range of safety and structural concerns with the current building, which occupies a former draper’s shop beside local businesses. Staff have on occasion had to secure the premises due to disorderly behaviour outside.
Despite its limitations, the existing library remains a vital community hub. It hosts school visits, serves as an after-school space, offers public computers, and provides a place for connection and relaxation. However, the building suffers from a leaky roof, inadequate lighting and heating, poor staff facilities, and insufficient study space. A neighbouring structure has been identified as potentially earthquake-prone, and a seismic assessment of the library is expected in September.
Mayor Anita Baker said the investment is long overdue.
“We’ve had unsafe actions out on the street that have come into the library itself,” she said. “This is overdue for our community and something our people have wanted for a long time.”
Councillor Geoff Hayward emphasised the deeper significance of the new facility.
“This is a gift, a vessel of learning, open to all,” Hayward said. “This community has been waiting patiently for a facility that reflects its wairua, its mana and future. A new library is saying ‘Cannons Creek matters’.”
The library will be built using modular construction, with components assembled offsite before being transported to Bedford Reserve. This method allows for future expansion and will include updated public computer access.
While the 2018–38 Long-term Plan had originally allocated $20 million for a broader community hub in Cannons Creek, councillors agreed to move forward with the more focused $4 million library project.
Community consultation will take place during the design phase to ensure the new space reflects local needs and aspirations.