The Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club held an official opening of its facilities by outgoing Auckland mayor Phil Goff, and a blessing for their Pou Whenua carved by Mihaka Marikena, gifted by Te Kawerau a Maki and friends at the weekend.
"We are just so pleased to now be able to invite all the stakeholders who have been responsible for this great achievement to personally attend the opening of the club, and for us to be able to thank them properly for all their work and effort in bringing the project to fruition", said club president David Munro prior to the event.
![Pita Turei speaks at the official opening of the Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club clubhouse. Photo / Sylvie Whinray](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/VM5ZRTDWK2CRZIWNSAF36G6OXA.jpg?auth=56cdea9fba037e74d536e8d7a3abf8fbcdafda873dd936cd8ba76eebac1d97ca&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The new clubhouse has taken nearly 20 years to realise with just the resource consent taking six years in total. The club was always happy that consultation, planning and meetings were with full approval from the wider community, Tangata Whenua, council and local funders at every step along the way.
![Mihaka Marikena and the Pou Whenua he carved for the Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club. Photo / Sylvie Whinray](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/XJ6MNTMHIG4LCODM3S6EY57YXA.jpg?auth=ac36030e52b90966d60483673cf8954adc4421b216c3cb73879f9a4d1b4e4032&width=16&height=14&quality=70&smart=true)