Site blessing of new fire station at Lake Okareka
28 May 2019
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is investing in the safety of the Rotorua district with a new fire station to be built at Lake Okareka, 11km south-east of Rotorua. The site for the new station was officially blessed today.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board Chair, Paul Swain said blessing the land marked an important step in preparation for a much-anticipated building project.
“The existing Lake Okareka Fire Station is too small, lacks training facilities and has no decontamination or ablution facilities. The new 384 square metre station will be a state-of-the-art facility for the brigade’s 28 volunteers. It will include space for three vehicles (fire appliance, tanker and support vehicle), operational areas, off-street car parking, modern IT equipment and two generators capable of running the entire station.”
Mr Swain said the new station would ensure Fire and Emergency New Zealand could continue to provide the community with an effective emergency response whenever it was required.
“The cost of the project will not be finalised till tenders are let, but this is a significant investment that shows our commitment to ensuring we have the right facilities in the right places to protect life and property in New Zealand.”
The new station, which is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2020, is part of a major programme to rebuild, upgrade and relocate fire stations across the country.
Today’s blessing was led by Minita Joe Huta, a descendant of Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiao and Tuhourangi iwi, on behalf of local Iwi.
Artist's impression of completed Lake Okareka site