Figure 29 Rosemary Middleton & Don Cook; Building progress

Tairāwhiti Council decides to proceed with the new library and administration building. Their decision is based on an improved finance offer from the Ministry of Education. The projected cost is $2.3 million. Substantial finance is still required to be raised.

Demolition of 290/292 Palmerston road is scheduled to make room for the new building. The Kahutia Special Needs School site in Cobden street which formally belonged to Hawkes Bay Education Board is transferred to Tairāwhiti  Polytechnic in February 1990. The agreement between the Ministry of Education and Tairāwhiti  Polytechnic assesses  the transfer of land and buildings assets as being worth $235,000. 292 Community classes including childcare are transferred to the two end classrooms of Kahutia School.