The small Samoan Room, tucked away on the south side of the Christchurch Town Hall, has had a restorative makeover with a Pacific theme.

The Samoan Room was originally named to acknowledge the generosity of the Samoan community who gave funds towards building the Town Hall, which was completed in 1972.

Richard Maffey, Building Services manager for venue manager NCC (New Zealand), designed the refurbishment, which incorporates coconut palm furniture and seagrass matting.

“The room has had a variety of uses over the past 30 years but now it’s fully furnished for its prime use as a small meeting room, suitable for confidential board meetings and community groups,” Richard Maffey says.

“It’s got a lovely personality and doesn’t need any dressing up to have a quite South Pacific charm. The tapa cloths on display were presented when the Town Hall opened in September 1972.”

“The upgrade’s one of the many improvements we are making to the Town Hall in its 30th anniversary year, including new lighting, improvements to the dressing rooms and backstage areas, and a new unisex toilet in the foyer,” Richard Maffey says.