hatched in the Kakahi hatchery by Mr. Bebbington. Modern history The Kakahi Town Hall was originally commissioned by one of the local timber milling businesses and was used as a silent movies cinema and dance hall. As such it still retains its piano, fireproof Celluloid film projection room and even has copper tubing in the ceiling for the "white spirit" internal lighting system. Other commercial buildings that remain in Kakahi that are no longer in their original use are the butcher, baker (complete with retired bread oven), original post-office and a blacksmith's stables. The Kakahi bakers were known for trucking their hot bread widely in the region, and even supplied many of the Bush Mills in the hills as far away as National Park. The expression "The best thing since sliced bread" belies the fact that many small bakers could not afford the expensive patented (and sometimes unreliable) bread slicers. This was a contributing factor in the closing of bakers here. Kakahi has an iconic general store, one of the last few remaining general stores in New Zealand. It is run by Manu Lala, who is one of the cornerstones of the community. The store has been run by the Lala family since 1937. The Kakahi area is also noted for trout fly fishing. Marae Kākahi Marae and its Taumaihiorongo meeting house, built in 1913, are a meeting place for the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū of Ngāti Manunui. A Catholic church, complete with a bell tower, stands on the edge of the marae. In October 2020, the Government committed $1,338,668 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade it and four other marae. Te Rena Marae and Hikairo meeting house, located near Kakahi, is a meeting place for the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū of Ngāti Hikairo. In October 2020, the Government committed $1,560,379 to upgrade it and 7 other nearby marae. Sports The local sports teams are generally dressed in blue and gold. The Domain, a sports field to the north of the village, was the base of the Kakahi field hockey team, and regular motocross and the Kakahi rodeo Club competitions in the 1970s, which raised funds for community activities. Around the Domain are the remains of a racing bicycle track, part of which was washed away during the 1950s flood. Education Kakahi School was opened in 1910 to account for an economic and industrial boom in the area. Kakahi School was