Information about Onerahi Library.
Updated:
20/10/2021 10:10 a.m.
Covid-19 Alert Level 2
Onerahi Library will reopen on Thursday 21 October in the mornings only:
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Not all services will be available as a strict visiting time limit of 15 minutes will apply.
Entry conditions
- Contact tracing registration.
- Wear a face covering and sanitise your hands.
- Maintain a 2-metre distance from others and library staff.
- Please do not come to the library if you are unwell.
- Due to the mandatory Level 2 guidelines above we are not able to admit groups of school children into the library after school.
Children are more than welcome to come into the library if accompanied by an adult.
More information at Covid-19 Updates
Change to opening hours
When Onerahi Library is able to reopen, it will be closed on Saturday mornings.
What you will find at Onerahi Library
History
The creation of the Onerahi Library was greatly assisted by the bequest of Thomas Joseph Griffin. Mr Griffin was born and brought up in Kamo and farmed land at 'Totara Grove', between Kamo and Tikipunga.
On his death in 1959, Mr Griffin left a legacy to the then Whangarei Borough Council to be applied towards additions to the Whangarei Public Library buildings. Upon the death of Mrs Griffin in 1971, this legacy became available and was used for the extension of the public library service to Onerahi.
The Whangarei City Council began planning the building of a branch library at Onerahi in the early 1970's. In May 1971 suitable land was found and purchased from the Fire Board. In December 1972, the Council accepted a tender from Keith Hay Ltd for a smaller and simpler library building than had originally been planned due to budget constraints. By late August the prebuilt timber frame was moved to its future location. On 14 November 1973 the Onerahi Branch of the Whangarei Public Library was opened.
In August 2007 another small building surplus to Council needs was relocated behind the library.