Piarere Hall pictured on December 20
The future of the 65-yearold Piarere Hall destroyed by fire last month will be decided after a repair estimate arrives next week.
Crews from Tīrau, Matamata, Cambridge and Tokoroa battled a blaze which engulfed the 65-year-old hall on SH29 six days before Christmas.
Fire and Emergency fire investigator Jon Rewi told The News on Monday the fire – thought to have started in the hall’s kitchen
– would likely be ruled accidental.
“We have a few more witnesses to talk with beforehand, but we should have the report completed
this week,” Rewi said.
Hall committee spokesperson and former Matamata-Piako district councillor Frank Healey told The News only
the building’s Hinuera stone walls were left standing after the fire.
“It is upsetting and our community is obviously very disappointed,” Healey said.
Historic items such as the old Piarere School bell, photos of the former Piarere school principal and a bowling honours board were damaged in the fire.
Built in 1958, the hall has been a popular venue for bowling, dancing, 21st birthdays, weddings and cabarets over the years.
It has also hosted many Young Farmers’ Club, Federated Farmers and garden circle gatherings.
Healey said committee members expected to know the extent of the repair bill they are facing within the next week.
He said the committee would assess “all our options”.
The New Zealand Transport Agency has started work on a new roundabout at the intersection of highways 1 and 29.
Healey said he was not sure whether the hall site would still be on the highway once that work was completed.
