Monday 28 September 2020
The Government have announced $10 million for The Wellington City Mission, to go towards the build of what will be a transformative community hub for the Wellington region. Says Murray Edridge, Wellington City Missioner.
The $10 million injection is part of the Government’s ‘shovel-ready’ programme and is part of a pipeline of infrastructure projects that have public or regional benefits, create jobs and are ready to get underway.
The building project ‘Whakamaru’, a name gifted by Mana Whenua meaning “to shelter, to safeguard, to protect”, is set to be a game changer for the Wellington region.
“Key features of our new building at Oxford Terrace include a Community Cafe, Social Supermarket and 35 supported housing units designed to accommodate and care for those in our community who are experiencing chronic homelessness. Says Murray Edridge.
“Whakamaru will help us respond to some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s greatest challenges such as housing supply and homelessness, food insecurity and social isolation. This will give us far greater capacity to serve and support some of our City’s most vulnerable.
“The building of Whakamaru will also present social and economic benefits for the Wellington region by creating 120 jobs and generating a minimum of $12 million to the Wellington economy during the construction phase.
“By providing supported housing and wrap-around support at Whakamaru, it will reduce people’s utilisation of hospitalisation and other services. This represents an economic and social benefit and saving to the region of $2.6 million per annum.
“Whakamaru will be an innovative community facility and is a building project for all Wellingtonians to enjoy. It’s about creating a supportive and mana-enhancing community in the heart of our city, and helping Wellingtonians build better lives.
“Whakamaru will give us a greater platform and opportunity to turn lives around and allow us to create a community that cares for itself. It will be transformational for the Wellington region.” Says Murray Edridge.
The Wellington City Mission still have an amount to fundraise to complete the project.
ENDS
Media contact: Kieran Meredith – Media, Communications and Marketing Manager, 027 879 2336
Editors notes:
- Whakamaru will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will deliver;
- Supported housing for up to 40 people experiencing chronic homelessness
- A Community Café
- Social Supermarket
- Extensive food distribution warehouse
- Modern commercial kitchen facility with capacity to cater for over 100 people
- A fully equipped training kitchen
- Commercially equipped laundry
- Conference facilities for community use
- Sacred space to reflect and pray
- Fully equipped public bathrooms and showers with 24-hour access
- Music and performance space
- Office space for staff and volunteers
- Whakamaru is due for completion in 2022.
