The new netball centre reached a major milestone on Friday 15 July at Ngā Puna Wai (NPW) when Iaean Cranwell, Tumu Taiao at Environment Canterbury and Kāi Tahu whanau member, performed a site blessing and sod turning ceremony prior to earth and construction works beginning in the coming weeks.

The blessing was conducted before Christchurch City Council Councillors, staff, NPW Trustees, the centre project team – Cequent Projects and Apollo Projects, Sport Canterbury, Canterbury A&P Centre staff and Christchurch Netball Centre (CNC) Manager Megan McLay.

Thankfully, the weather played its part and the sunshine was a far cry from the stormy weather earlier in the week. The sod was presented to CNC who will look after it while the centre is being built. Following completion of the centre, the sod will be returned to the site signifying the end of the build.

At the conclusion of the blessing, all attendees returned to the NPW café to enjoy some of the food and coffee that NPW can provide.

Christchurch City Council approved granting a lease of land at the southern end of the complex in 2020.

Further images are available here.

Image: Iaean Cranwell conducting the karakia and blessing.

Article added: Tuesday 19 July 2022