On 11 February 2025, Luba Roth, Eva Shepherd, and I explored a potential new home for our Canterbury Writers’ Word by Word group: The Library at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre.
With our usual meeting place, South Library, closing, we began the search for a welcoming and conducive workspace that could foster the same sense of creativity, collaboration and community. Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre seemed like a promising option, as it was more convenient for some members, so we decided to check it out in person.
The facility itself is beautiful: warm and welcoming. It even had a café, a feature we had been spoiled with at South Library. Its open layout, abundant natural light, and generous space created an atmosphere slightly different from South Library. We settled in at a table off the beaten path yet still in a spacious, well-lit area.
As we weighed our options, we discussed various pros and cons. Would there be enough room for our usual turnout? Was there a quieter, more private area available, similar to the separate room we had at South Library?
While Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre is a stunning facility, we ultimately decided it was too far for many of our regular members. The following week, our search continued.
More than anything, this search for a new meeting place has reminded us of what makes Word by Word special; it’s not only the space we gather in, but also the people, the shared stories, and our commitment to supporting each other’s creative journeys.
Scott Andrew Fack 
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