WAIMANAKO IS MOVING!!
With the Metro Plaza scheduled for demolition early next year, we’ve been relentlessly searching for the best possible location to continue our community support mahi. There isn’t another space quite like the Metro Plaza, where we’ve been able to manage so much ‘under one roof’, so our services will look a bit different moving forward. We’re thrilled to be providing:
Mobile Food Truck - Waimanaaki
A mobile foodtruck (which has been gifted the name “Waimanaaki”), operating from set locations in New Plymouth and Waitara, offering free hot meals and drinks to people struggling to make ends meet. This will replace the ‘huakai’ hours service of Waimanako, enabling the team to work alongside other food-rescue services, away from the challenges of the CBD.
New Support Hub - Waimanako
A new Support Hub offering the opportunity to build connection with others, good company and a Listening Ear – along with excellent coffee and delicious paninis!
We have been working with Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora, as The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Matt Doocey has explored the roll-out of Support Hubs like Waimanako around Aotearoa. We are thrilled and humbled that Waimanako has been selected as the organisation to offer this service for the Taranaki region, recognising the role that spaces like Waimanako have to play in offering a place to turn to when life is going to custard. This means that we move forward to a new venue, with a new style of support service, hand-in-hand with our incredible team at Te Whatu Ora, collaborating with the abundance of caring services and communities around our rohe.
Following careful consultation, we are thrilled to share that our new venue will be at the Tasman Club building, in New Plymouth!
THE TASMAN CLUB!
Why the Tasman Club?
We see a strong and natural alignment between the two organisations. The Tasman Club space is all about providing the community with diverse, wholesome ways to connect and get together. In our current times, people are tending to do this less and less; and that’s simply not good for strong communities. The Tasman Club is working hard to keep this much-needed community space going.
Waimanako has much the same goals in mind: enabling support and connection. We like to think of it as providing ‘safe spaces’ for us to gather in and enjoy each-others’ company. We want to reduce loneliness and isolation for people of all ages; and provide community-strengthening opportunities for us to meet with and get to know others, and make sure we notice when any of our number aren’t doing so well. Those who know and love the Tasman Club are most likely involved for precisely the same reasons.
We are looking forward to being away from the busy-ness of the CBD; working from a location where there is easy parking, natural light and a beautiful outlook to enhance the wairua of the service – with the coastal walkway available for walk-and-talk support sessions.
What Waimanako WILL be offering from the Tasman Club
Encouragement for people like you and me who need someone to talk to over a coffee and kai, the opportunity to do just that – or to connect in with groups such as Watercolour Art, Creative Hub, and the current awesome range of get-togethers already on offer at the Tasman Club.
What Waimanako WON'T be offering from the Tasman Club
Our Support Hub at the Tasman Club will not be providing free meals – that service will continue from our Waimanaaki Food Truck, to enable us to cover a wider range of locations.
Key Dates
Add these to your calendar!
Thursday 23rd October
Our Final normal operating day at The Metro Plaza – after which, our service will be ‘On Pause’ for reloction, and team training.
Wednesday 5th November
5:30pm
Community Poroaki / Farewell for Waimanako at The Metro Plaza – an opportunity to join in kai and celebration of all that has been given, by countless people and the business community, in making Waimanako happen; to share good memories of such a beautiful kaupapa. This will be the final time that it’s possible for our community to enter the Koha Cafe – prior to the demolition of the Metro Plaza – so – bring your camera!
Monday 10th November
9am
The Waimanako Support Hub will open at the Tasman Club, and Waimanaaki (food truck) in the community. You’re invited for Karakia / Opening Ceremony at 9am
Waimanako Support Hub Hours
Monday 9am – 4pm
Tuesday 9am – 4pm
Wednesday 1pm – 7pm
Thursday 9am – 4pm
Friday 9am – 4pm
The Tasman Club, 35 Octavius Place, New Plymouth
06 2150993
Waimanako; Support Hub
www.taranakiretreat.org.nz