Community hub collaboration launched
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Kaiapoi initiative hopes to establish a much needed community centre through collaboration.
The Kaiapoi Community Hub Trust has announced plans to build a $6.8 million community hub in the former red zone.
The Waimakariri District Council is pitching in the first $1.6m to fund earthworks and utility services.
A further $200,000 has been made available from the Ministry of Social Development, leaving the community to raise $5m.
‘‘After Covid -19 lockdowns we saw there was a need for places where the community can connect,’’ Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said.
‘‘The hub model works well and we’ve had successful examples of community hubs in the district to date, such as Northbrook studios in Rangiora.’’
But Gordon said the Kaiapoi hub would be unique, with purpose-built facilities for educational purposes and shared office space.
‘‘One thing we do really well in the Waimakariri district is collaboration, it is one of our greatest strengths.’’
The Kaiapoi Community Hub Trust is a collaboration between Satisfy Food Rescue and the Kaiapoi MenzShed, along with two independent trustees.
Chairperson Anthony Van Meer said the trust aimed to ‘‘create some community vibrancy’’
‘‘We don’t have that shared facility in Kaiapoi like other areas do. We lost our picture theatre and this site will be bigger than Trousselot Park.’’
Satisfy Food Rescue will occupy the northern end of the development, with a purpose-built facility where food can be processed for distribution to the region’s food banks.
The Kaiapoi MenzShed planned to build three sheds, while a shared community facility with a commercial kitchen and a large green space would also be established.
The trust also planned to build an auditorium, with the possibility of a picture theatre and recording studio.
The Kaiapoi Croquet Club was also building on the site.
Van Meer said other organisations had shown an interest in joining the project.
‘‘We are open to ideas and for groups who want to join the trust.’’
Satisfy Food Rescue chairperson Phillipa Hunt said her organisation was ‘‘excited’’ to be involved in a project with a community focus.
Keith Lawrence said the Kaiapoi Menz Shed was established post-earthquake by ‘‘four guys in a garage’’.
Kaiapoi Promotions Association chairperson Martin Pinkham said the hub was an important development for the town.
He said the hub would make the ideal location for the Kaiapoi Christmas Carnival and other community events.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said he would be ‘‘going into bat’’ to help the trust secure funding from central government to match community fundraising efforts.
‘‘There is funding available through central government, so it is a matter of making the case.’’
For more information about the project go to kaiapoihub.org.
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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