Today we are looking back on an Upper Hutt community icon, the Hapai Club

The club was formed as an older person’s support group in 1957, and organised social activities such as performances, cards, bus and shopping trips – and was primarily a place to have a good cuppa.

When Hapai were in need of new clubrooms, members fundraised by setting up annual stalls on the corner of Main Street and Pine Avenue. They sold things like homemade baking, sweets, clothes, and had raffles too. By raising funds, they were able to acquire a subsidy from the government to cover the cost to build their new facility mortgage free. The Hapai Club building on Fergusson Drive opened in October 1966.

The building hosted the Hapai Club for over 40 years, and in 2009, the club was disestablished, and ownership of the building was transferred to Upper Hutt City Council.

If you’re passing the Hapai building over the next few weeks, you may notice the building wrapped up. Leaks have caused structural risk over time, and the building is to be re-roofed. To learn more about this project: https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/News/Hapai-Reroof-2025

Please follow these links to the photos on our Heritage website:

Source: Upper Hutt Heritage

01/05/25