Description

In November 2025, buildings on Whitaker Street in Te Aroha saw a noticeable transformation as local community members came together to support a Pride of Place project led by local resident Ross Miller. Together, volunteers removed outdated and broken signage above three buildings in the centre of town and installed new signs painted in heritage colours. The group also gave the eaves beneath the Jubilee Building a fresh coat of paint, creating a cleaner, more consistent look across the block. The project reflects the strong community drive in Te Aroha, where residents are willing to take the lead on improvements that benefit the whole town.

Ross approached the Community Development and Partnerships Team earlier in the year to ask for support with his project. Our team helped him work through the Council requirements for undertaking work on a busy main street, drawing on advice from Planning, Roading, and Health & Safety to guide him through the process. This project aligned perfectly with the Pride of Place goals for Te Aroha, and Ross successfully received a Pride of Place Community-Led Initiatives grant as a contribution towards the items required to carry out the work.

Looking ahead, the success of the Whitaker Street Shop Sign Revamp is inspiring further heritage-focused initiatives. Community member Tanya Austin has launched “Paint the Town with Aroha,” a project dedicated to restoring and celebrating Te Aroha’s historic town centre. Building on her earlier collaboration with our team to restore the façade of the Te Aroha Bridge Club, Tanya plans to lead a series of town working bees in 2026 to refresh the façades of heritage buildings - and Ross is already planning to volunteer his time to support the effort.

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