Honiara City Council partners with Aotearoa New Zealand to deliver new multi-sports courts

A partnership between Solomon Islands’ Honiara City Council and Aotearoa New Zealand has provided NZ$11.5 million to upgrade the multi-purpose hall facilities in order to support Honiara’s vibrant population of young people to access improved sports, cultural, and support services.

Aotearoa New Zealand’s partnership includes a five year co-funding commitment with Honiara City Council to ensure that these facilities are managed and maintained sustainably.

The improved facilities include a new Youth Hub building, an outdoor performance stage, refurbished outdoor netball and basketball courts, and a new multi-sports courts for futsal, tennis and volleyball.

It also includes the extension to the existing hall, which contains a gym and exercise room, changing rooms and showers, offices and conference rooms, and a new reception and cafeteria. Young people were consulted and involved throughout the upgrades, including during the design phase, as employees during construction, and on the project governance committee.️‍

The New Zealand High Commission also acknowledged key partners, the Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Finance and Treasury; and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, who have played various significant roles in this project, including Honiara Youth Council and ChildFund New Zealand.

During the official handover ceremony, Acting New Zealand High Commissioner, H.E. Don Higgins said that Aotearoa New Zealand recognises the importance of young people as the future leaders and change-makers of Solomon Islands.

“I am delighted to be able to support Honiara City Council through these upgrades to the Multi-Purpose Hall facilities. Aotearoa New Zealand is committed to supporting young people in Solomon Islands to harness their full potential and access opportunities for growth.”

Minister for Home Affairs, Hon. Chris Laore, and the Honiara City Council Lord Mayor, Hon. Eddie Siapu, spoke during the ceremony and expressed their sincere gratitude to Aotearoa New Zealand and its people for the support. They emphasised the importance of looking after the new facilities, which will also be used as a sports training facility in preparation for the 2023 Pacific Games.

Previous funding from Aotearoa New Zealand also supported upgrades to the Honiara City Council Women’s Training Centre, installation of the Tamariki Playground, and the construction of accessible toilets for people with disabilities on the Multi-Purpose Hall site.

Image: (from left) Honiara City Council Lord Mayor, Hon. Eddie Siapu, Acting NZ High Commissioner Don Higgins, and the Minister for Home Affairs, Hon. Chris Laore cutting the ribbon to officially open the upgraded Multi-Purpose Hall and its surrounding facilities.