Open on Friday 19 April from 3pm. A new Hornby library, customer services, and recreation and sports centre is under construction at Kyle Park in Hornby for the growing southwest community.

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With more than 12,000 new homes expected in Christchurch’s southwest by 2044, the Council has approved a $39.9 million budget for facilities to serve the growing population.

Construction on Matatiki Hornby Centre began in November 2021 and is now almost complete. The centre is set to be officially opened by Mayor Phil Mauger at a formal ceremony on Friday 19 April 2024, at 1pm. Matatiki will be open from 3pm. A full day of community activities and celebrations will follow on Saturday 20 April 2024 - check out the details on the What's On page(external link).

For more information about the construction project, email HornbyFacility@ccc.govt.nz or subscribe to our newsletter(external link). Learn more about the activities and amenities(external link) that will be offered at Matatiki Hornby Centre.

Latest news

27 March 2024

Staff at Hornby Library are preparing for the big shift to their new premises at Matatiki Hornby Centre, in Kyle Park. Hornby Library on Goulding Avenue will close at 6pm on Thursday 28 March and will reopen at the new pool and library community centre on Friday 19 April, from 3pm. The customer services desk at Goulding Avenue will remain open until 5pm Friday 19 April, before also shifting across to Matatiki. Read more on Newsline(external link).

22 February 2024

Matatiki Hornby Centre will be officially opened by Mayor Phil Mauger at a formal ceremony starting at 1pm on Friday 19 April 2024. The formalities will be followed by a full day of community activities and celebrations on Saturday 20 April. Read more on Newsline(external link)

27 November 2023

The new library being built at Matatiki Hornby Centre will include a bookable recording space, editing equipment and other creative resources. The audio/video space will be equipped with professional-grade video, sound and image editing software, and hardware including microphones, sound mixing boards and computers. Read more on Newsline.(external link)

Facilities

  • Library
  • Lane pool
  • Learn to swim pool
  • Hydrotherapy pool
  • Toddlers' wet play area
  • Spa pool
  • Café
  • Creative activities room
  • Multi-purpose rooms for meetings and study
  • Customer service area

Gifted name

Matatiki means spring of water in te Reo Māori. The name expresses the importance of water as a source of life and wellbeing. It also reflects the unique landscape and history of Christchurch’s southwest.

The name Matatiki was gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Matapopore, and formally accepted by the Council in August 2022.

Matatiki Hornby Centre is located near the spring-fed headwaters of the Ōpāwaho Heathcote and Ōtākaro Avon Rivers. Historically, the waters were central to the way of life for Ngāi Tahu and an area of mahinga kai – an interconnected system which produces food and sustains life.

The Hornby area also sits over deep gravel layers which contain the underground aquifers that supply much of the city with fresh drinking water.

The name brings together aspects of the region’s past, acknowledging the importance of the natural landscape for mana whenua, and the future benefits that Matatiki Hornby Centre will provide to the community as a place of wellbeing and togetherness.

The name Matatiki Hornby Centre follows the naming convention of other Council facilities like Te Pou Toetoe Linwood Pool and Te Hāpua Halswell Centre.

Milestones

Opening day

19 April 2024

Matatiki Hornby Centre, in Kyle Park, will be officially opened by Mayor Phil Mauger at a formal ceremony starting at 1pm.

The formalities will be followed by a full day of community activities and celebrations on Saturday 20 April. Read more(external link)

Hydrotherapy pool fundraiser

12 July 2023

A community fundraising campaign to raise $1.4 million for a warm-water hydrotherapy pool has hit the halfway mark – and is now ramping up a gear.

The Rotary Club of Hornby and the Greater Hornby Residents’ Association are leading the campaign to raise funds for the hydrotherapy pool at Matatiki Hornby Centre, raising $700,000 so far. Read more(external link).

Work begins on roof

21 March 2023

The first section of the roof has been assembled on site and lifted into place. Read more(external link).

Supply chain challenges

23 November 2022

The  Matatiki: Hornby Centre currently will continue to be delivered to scope in spite of challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues.

A staff report presented to Councillors in the public excluded section of this today’s Council meeting detailed the impacts of these challenges on the Centre project’s budget and timeframes. Read more(external link).

Official name confirmed

17 August 2022

The Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board has voted to accept Ngāi Tūāhuriri’s gifted name of Matatiki for the new community facility.

The new centre will be called Matatiki: Hornby Centre, in line with the Council’s naming convention for other similar facilities. Read more(external link).

Piling complete

30 June 2022

Piling is now complete across the entire facility, including the 27 piles needed for the hydrotherapy pool. Read more(external link).

Hydrotherapy pool fundraising

4 February 2022

A hydrotherapy pool has been added to the list of new facilities being built for residents in the south-west of Christchurch, with community fundraising set to play a key role in allowing its addition. Read more.(external link)

Construction starts

22 November 2021

Construction of the Hornby Centre is now underway. Read more.(external link)

Contractor appointed

7 September 2021

The Council has appointed Naylor Love Canterbury to build the new multi-use centre. Read more.(external link)

Site blessing

26 February 2021

The Kyle Park site has been blessed ahead of work starting. Read more.(external link)

Procurement plan approved

12 November 2020

Councillors have approved the project’s procurement plan, which means the construction can now go out to tender. Read more.(external link)

Concept designs approved

8 October 2020

Architectural firm Warren and Mahoney developed the concept designs for the Hornby facility following discussions with the community. Read more.(external link)

Progress continues

30 April 2020

Progress on development of the new Hornby facility is underway, with no impact at this stage from COVID-19. Tonkin & Taylor have tested the ground at Kyle Park for landfill gas and the groundwater below the site, and have found nothing unexpected.

First contractors appointed

9 March 2020

The Council has now appointed Warren & Mahoney as the lead design consultant, Aecom as project managers, and Rawlinsons as quantity surveyors.

Scope confirmed

12 September 2019

Councillors have agreed on the scope of Hornby’s new library, customer services, recreation and sport centre. Read more.(external link)

Approval of reclassification

9 July 2019

The Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board approved the reclassification of part of the reserve, along with management plan amendments, confirming the location for the facility after a years-long search. Read more.(external link)

Hearings Panel backs change

17 June 2019

A Hearings Panel has recommended that the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board approves a change to the reserve classification for part of Kyle Park, along with management plan amendments. Read more.(external link)

Strong consultation response

1 May 2019

More than 180 submissions were received on a proposed change to the reserve classification for Kyle Park. Read more.(external link)

Consultation

11 March 2019

Consultation has begun on whether the Reserve Act classification on Kyle Park should be changed. Read more.(external link)

Kyle Park preferred site

13 December 2018

Christchurch City Council today approved Kyle Park as the preferred location for the new Hornby facility. Read more.(external link)

New site eyed

5 December 2018

The Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board recommended Kyle Park as the site for the new facilities. Read more about the decision.(external link)

Site search re-ignited

6 September 2018

Christchurch City Council is working to quickly identify a new site where Hornby’s planned community facilities can be built. Read more.(external link)

Board says no to Denton Park

6 July 2018

At the recommendation of a Hearings Panel(external link), the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board decided not to change the Reserves Act classification on the south-east part of Denton Park. Read more.(external link)

Panel hears final submissions on Denton Park

4 May 2018

The Hearings Panel, made up of three Councillors and two Community Board members, considered 1475 written submissions, with 61 submitters requesting to be heard in person on proposed changes to the use of part of Denton Park. Read more.(external link)

Council seeks views on Denton Park changes

19 January 2018

Consultation officially opened(external link) on a proposal to alter the park’s Reserves Act classification so that the new Hornby facility can be built. Read more.(external link)

The need for a pool

15 November 2017

A high school principal, a community youth worker and an experienced Councillor have highlighted the growing need for a new pool – along with a local library – in one of the city’s fastest-growing areas. Read more.(external link)

Council approves Denton Park

24 August 2017

Christchurch City Council voted in favour of using part of Denton Park(external link) as the site for Hornby’s planned new library, customer and leisure centre. Read more.(external link)

Board picks site

15 August 2017

Denton Park has been identified by the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board as the preferred site. Read more.(external link)

Consultation opens

26 April 2017

Where should Hornby’s new library, customer services and leisure centre go? And should they be all together under one roof or built as separate facilities? Read more.(external link)

Opening day

19 April 2024

Matatiki Hornby Centre, in Kyle Park, will be officially opened by Mayor Phil Mauger at a formal ceremony starting at 1pm.

The formalities will be followed by a full day of community activities and celebrations on Saturday 20 April. Read more(external link)

Hydrotherapy pool fundraiser

12 July 2023

A community fundraising campaign to raise $1.4 million for a warm-water hydrotherapy pool has hit the halfway mark – and is now ramping up a gear.

The Rotary Club of Hornby and the Greater Hornby Residents’ Association are leading the campaign to raise funds for the hydrotherapy pool at Matatiki Hornby Centre, raising $700,000 so far. Read more(external link).

Work begins on roof

21 March 2023

The first section of the roof has been assembled on site and lifted into place. Read more(external link).

Supply chain challenges

23 November 2022

The  Matatiki: Hornby Centre currently will continue to be delivered to scope in spite of challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues.

A staff report presented to Councillors in the public excluded section of this today’s Council meeting detailed the impacts of these challenges on the Centre project’s budget and timeframes. Read more(external link).

Official name confirmed

17 August 2022

The Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board has voted to accept Ngāi Tūāhuriri’s gifted name of Matatiki for the new community facility.

The new centre will be called Matatiki: Hornby Centre, in line with the Council’s naming convention for other similar facilities. Read more(external link).

Piling complete

30 June 2022

Piling is now complete across the entire facility, including the 27 piles needed for the hydrotherapy pool. Read more(external link).

Hydrotherapy pool fundraising

4 February 2022

A hydrotherapy pool has been added to the list of new facilities being built for residents in the south-west of Christchurch, with community fundraising set to play a key role in allowing its addition. Read more.(external link)

Construction starts

22 November 2021

Construction of the Hornby Centre is now underway. Read more.(external link)

Contractor appointed

7 September 2021

The Council has appointed Naylor Love Canterbury to build the new multi-use centre. Read more.(external link)

Site blessing

26 February 2021

The Kyle Park site has been blessed ahead of work starting. Read more.(external link)

Procurement plan approved

12 November 2020

Councillors have approved the project’s procurement plan, which means the construction can now go out to tender. Read more.(external link)

Concept designs approved

8 October 2020

Architectural firm Warren and Mahoney developed the concept designs for the Hornby facility following discussions with the community. Read more.(external link)

Progress continues

30 April 2020

Progress on development of the new Hornby facility is underway, with no impact at this stage from COVID-19. Tonkin & Taylor have tested the ground at Kyle Park for landfill gas and the groundwater below the site, and have found nothing unexpected.

First contractors appointed

9 March 2020

The Council has now appointed Warren & Mahoney as the lead design consultant, Aecom as project managers, and Rawlinsons as quantity surveyors.

Scope confirmed

12 September 2019

Councillors have agreed on the scope of Hornby’s new library, customer services, recreation and sport centre. Read more.(external link)

Approval of reclassification

9 July 2019

The Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board approved the reclassification of part of the reserve, along with management plan amendments, confirming the location for the facility after a years-long search. Read more.(external link)

Hearings Panel backs change

17 June 2019

A Hearings Panel has recommended that the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board approves a change to the reserve classification for part of Kyle Park, along with management plan amendments. Read more.(external link)

Strong consultation response

1 May 2019

More than 180 submissions were received on a proposed change to the reserve classification for Kyle Park. Read more.(external link)

Consultation

11 March 2019

Consultation has begun on whether the Reserve Act classification on Kyle Park should be changed. Read more.(external link)

Kyle Park preferred site

13 December 2018

Christchurch City Council today approved Kyle Park as the preferred location for the new Hornby facility. Read more.(external link)

New site eyed

5 December 2018

The Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board recommended Kyle Park as the site for the new facilities. Read more about the decision.(external link)

Site search re-ignited

6 September 2018

Christchurch City Council is working to quickly identify a new site where Hornby’s planned community facilities can be built. Read more.(external link)

Board says no to Denton Park

6 July 2018

At the recommendation of a Hearings Panel(external link), the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board decided not to change the Reserves Act classification on the south-east part of Denton Park. Read more.(external link)

Panel hears final submissions on Denton Park

4 May 2018

The Hearings Panel, made up of three Councillors and two Community Board members, considered 1475 written submissions, with 61 submitters requesting to be heard in person on proposed changes to the use of part of Denton Park. Read more.(external link)

Council seeks views on Denton Park changes

19 January 2018

Consultation officially opened(external link) on a proposal to alter the park’s Reserves Act classification so that the new Hornby facility can be built. Read more.(external link)

The need for a pool

15 November 2017

A high school principal, a community youth worker and an experienced Councillor have highlighted the growing need for a new pool – along with a local library – in one of the city’s fastest-growing areas. Read more.(external link)

Council approves Denton Park

24 August 2017

Christchurch City Council voted in favour of using part of Denton Park(external link) as the site for Hornby’s planned new library, customer and leisure centre. Read more.(external link)

Board picks site

15 August 2017

Denton Park has been identified by the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board as the preferred site. Read more.(external link)

Consultation opens

26 April 2017

Where should Hornby’s new library, customer services and leisure centre go? And should they be all together under one roof or built as separate facilities? Read more.(external link)

Work at Matatiki

Be part of the team

Roles involve delivering high-quality services and programmes in a safe and appropriate environment that encourages ongoing participation. Potential candidates should be actively engaging, inspire confidence and display a can-do attitude.

Keen to join the team? Fill out your details(external link) and we'll be in touch. 

Roles at Matatiki

  • Swim Education Instructor(external link)
  • Aqua Fitness Instructor (opening soon)
  • Aquatics Senior Supervisor (closed)
  • Aquatics Supervisors (closed)
  • Library Assistant (closed)
  • Library Shelver (closed)
  • Swim Education Supervisors (closed)
  • Customer Service Representatives (closed)
  • Lifeguards  (closed)