The Hahei Florence Harsant Community Library, is a popular local institution serving residents, bach owners, and visitors in Hahei and the wider Mercury Bay South.
Located adjacent to the Hahei Community Hall on Hahei Beach Road, the library is operated entirely by local volunteers and reflects the strong spirit of community involvement that defines Hahei. It is open six days a week — Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm — and provides a welcoming space for people of all ages to browse and borrow books.
The library’s collection comprises around 13,000 books spanning adult fiction, non-fiction and an extensive range of children’s titles. Membership is available by annual subscription, and the library encourages household participation, meaning one subscription covers all members of a household.
The library is named in honour of Florence Marie Harsant (1891–1994), a notable community leader, temperance worker, nurse and writer who played a pivotal role in establishing library services in Hahei.
After returning to Hahei in the mid-20th century, Florence and her son established a public library in her home under the auspices of the Country Library Service. This early initiative grew into the community library known today, reflecting her lifelong belief in the importance of access to books and learning, particularly in remote rural communities.
Annual Book Sale
One of the Hahei Community Library’s most popular annual events is its Book Sale, traditionally held on 3 January each year and eagerly anticipated by locals and holidaymakers alike. The sale has become something of a summer institution in Hahei, attracting a steady stream of keen browsers from opening time onwards.
The tables are typically packed with a wide and well-curated selection of fiction and non-fiction, reflecting the breadth of the library’s collection and the generosity of community donations. Most books are very affordably priced at $2, with higher-quality or near-new titles available for $5. Children’s books are just $1, making it an especially popular stop for families looking to stock up on holiday reading.
Proceeds from the Book Sale play an important role in supporting the ongoing operation of the Hahei Community Library, helping to fund new books.
Hahei Market Day
The Hahei Market Day is organised by the library and is its major annual fundraiser, playing a vital role in supporting its ongoing operation and services. Usually held on 5 January at Kotare Reserve, the market has become one of Hahei’s most anticipated summer events.
In 2026, Market Day reached an all-time record with 160 stalls, making it the largest event of its kind in Hahei to date. The stalls offer a wide mix of arts, crafts, local produce, and a particularly strong selection of food and coffee vendors, creating a lively, festival-like atmosphere. Importantly, entry is free, setting the Hahei Market Day apart from some other summer markets in the region and ensuring it remains accessible to everyone.
The event is especially popular with families. The local Fire Service attends each year, delighting children with the chance to sound the fire engine siren — an opportunity enthusiastically taken up by many. There are also much-loved “train rides” for kids, featuring a vehicle that resembles a cheerful daisy chain of classic VW Kombis, along with other amusements that add to the fun, community feel of the day.
Adding to the occasion, Radio CFM (Coromandel FM) broadcasts live from the market from their distinctive vintage caravan, providing music, commentary, and local flavour throughout the event.
And of course the library is also there, offering all remaining books from the annual Book Sale for a gold coin donation per book. This popular initiative ensures books find new homes while generating additional funds for the library.
Stallholder Information
Market Day is consistently oversubscribed. Stall bookings are usually open from July onwards, and demand is high — Stallholders need to book early, as a waiting list typically forms well before the event date. Prospective stallholders can enquire or book by contacting haheimarketday@gmail.com.