Whakatāne District Council staff there are back in their own building after the controversial redevelopment. And an emotional day for Māori ward campaigners is being commemorated on the walls of the refurbished building.
Whakatāne has also been making national headlines this week due to the Worksafe NZ prosecution of six parties involved in tours of Whakaari White Island.
Diane McCarthy is with the Whakatane Beacon.