High Tech Lighting

While the landscaping work is being carried out, permanent lighting is also being installed. This state-of-the-art computer controlled system will enhance the unique features of the Cornish Pumphouse while providing security lighting to help prevent graffiti and vandalism.

The lights will be programmed to change colour or to fix to one colour as required, enabling the pumphouse to reflect themes or seasonal events.



Below: For the 'Welcome Home' event the area around the pumphouse will be dressed up with a stage and everyone in the audience will be seated. Screens will be installed on both sides of the stage and the entire event will be filmed and projected onto the screens, allowing everyone a great view of the proceedings. Organisers are asking that ticket holders arrive in time to be seated by 8:15pm or earlier. Gates will be open from 7:30pm.

Welcome Home

Pumphouse Official Opening Celebration
February 3rd 2007

On Saturday February 3rd a stirring ‘Welcome Home’ celebration will mark the momentous return of the historic Cornish Pumphouse to the Waihi community.

A Treat is on the Cards

Organisers are promising that the evening's entertainment will be memorable. However, to preserve the element of surprise for the audience some details about the event will not be disclosed.

"While we are keeping the evening’s programme a little under wraps we can say that the event is a joint effort being supported by Vision Waihi Trust, Hauraki District Council, Newmont Waihi Gold, Land Information New Zealand, Go Waihi and numerous local businesses," says Eddie Morrow, Chief Executive of Vision Waihi Trust.

"I believe this is a reflection of the collaborative and positive attitude that has developed over the past few years and we look forward to celebrating this great town attribute as part of the evening's proceedings," adds Eddie.

Only ticket holders can attend the event. Tickets "went like hotcakes" soon after they became available.

The evening's entertainment will begin at 8.20pm exactly. The timing is symbolic. 20:20 relates to '2020 Vision'

20/20 Vision

'2020 Vision' is a document created by the Waihi Community Vision (WCV) group (formerly WCCC – Waihi Community Consultative Committee). The document encapsulates ideas put forward by representatives from community groups covering areas such as education, health, social services, sports and recreation, arts and culture, heritage, tangata whenua, business and tourism.

Each WCV member worked within the community sector he/she represents to create a wish list, which was taken back to the WCV forum, professionally and independently facilitated. They started with a 'blue skies' approach to envisioning Waihi's future – no barriers, just endless possibilities. The concepts were discussed in detail and those adopted, by consensus, became the blueprint – '2020 Vision' - that will lead to a bright and sustainable future for Waihi.

The Newmont Waihi Gold freephone is attended 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

0800 NEWMONT
(0800 639 6668)

WCV's next important achievement was in establishing a trust that would turn the '2020 Vision' concepts into reality. The Vision Waihi Trust (VWT) deed was signed at the end of 2005. By March 2006 three trustees (representing Hauraki District Council, Newmont Waihi Gold and the Waihi community) and the trust's CEO were appointed. Throughout 2006 a lot of progress has been made by VWT towards realising some of the '2020 Vision' concepts, while reporting back to WCV, which continues to meet regularly.

The Pumphouse as a Catalyst

While the WCV process has been all about developing a sustainable entity and about creating a vision for the future, the process to protect and preserve the Cornish Pumphouse has mirrored this. Now that the pumphouse is in its new location it presents opportunities as a sustainable long term asset for the Waihi community. It represents the town's rich mining heritage, regaining its place as a memorable icon.

Landscaping

A crane is used to hoist huge concrete blocks into place to form the hard landscaping at the pumphouse site. This work is timed to be ready for the 'Welcome Home' event on February 3rd.

Around the pumphouse backfilling has raised the ground level to the base of the buttresses on the northern and southern sides.

And what about the future of the icon from now on? There are no fixed ideas at this early stage. The Vision Waihi Trust is keen to hear views from the community about how we see the future of the Cornish Pumphouse.

If you would like to share your thoughts or find out more about the '2020 Vision' - please contact VWT on: vwt@waihi.org.nz or phone CEO Eddie Morrow:
07 863 9318 or 027 271 4044.