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Wellington City Mission is celebrating Whakamaru, its beautiful, brand-new $50-million facility.
The six-years of planning, contriving and building the facility is now at an end.
City Missioner Murray Edridge says the result “… is way beyond our expectations and our dreams, our ambitions and our aspirations”.
Whakamaru’s facilities
The light, airy building stretches five floors and 5500 square metres. It has a suite of showers, washing machines and dryers.
“If you haven’t got anywhere to live, if you’re living rough, or if you’re staying in a house – and there’s many of these in the community – where they don’t have hot water, then this is a privilege” says Edridge.
The facility includes a cafe, a dental surgery, a medical centre, meeting spaces, a chapel and, on the top two floors, 35 long-term transitional housing apartments for those who need “a bit of extra support”.
A social supermarket – just like any supermarket – is stocked with quality goods. It runs on a points system rather than cash – points are allocated according to family size.
It’s about dignity and respect in the context of food supply, says Edridge.
Cafe a jewel
To Edridge, the jewel in Whakamaru’s crown is Craig and Gail’s cafe.
“Come and have a coffee with me at Craig and Gail’s, it sounds like someone’s home” he says.
“The beauty of this cafe is that you can come and get amazing kai, great coffee – the best coffee in Wellington … but best of all you get to sit next to someone who may not look like you, may not have what you have, may be at a different place in their journey, so that makes this a very special place.”
Craig and Gail’s runs on the ‘contribute-what-you-can’ model.
People can choose to pay what their meal is worth, or more, if they want to. Less, if they don’t have enough, or nothing if they have no money that day. It makes no difference to what they get or how they’re treated.
Human dignity 24/7
When the doors close to the public, it continues as a 24/7 crisis recovery cafe.
It’s there for people who might otherwise end up at the hospital or with the police, when they might just need a cup of tea and some support, or a referral to a health or social service.
Whakamaru was designed to ensure everyone in the community can uphold their dignity and connect with others, says Edridge.
The recent increase in demand for the Wellington City Mission services shows we all need to rethink how we ‘do community’ he says.
Official opening
Formally opened by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, Whakamaru’s name was gifted by Te Ati Awa and means to safeguard, protect and nurture.
Funded largely by the community with support from the Government and Wellington City Council, Whakamaru is a place for people from all walks of life to gather, get a coffee or food, or seek help.
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