Motueka Community House is a registered Charitable Trust. Until 2025 it was an Incorporated Society run by a committee, but now its governance is in the hands of an enthusiastic and dedicated Board of Trustees.

The building itself was once the Motueka courthouse in High Street, but when that function closed down, the structure was saved and relocated at the northern end of central Decks Reserve in 1991. Extensive renovation and repurposing created what we have today.

The Community House has become the go-to hub for people seeking help with wellbeing and social issues they face. It is also a safe, warm and welcoming place for non-judgmental conversation, advice and perhaps a cuppa.

The Community House is also been the home of around a dozen organisations that offer wellbeing and community services. Its rooms are tenanted by service groups such as Women’s Support Motueka, Red Cross and the Motueka Arts Council. Its largest room is also rented as a popular meeting space for up to about 40 people.

The current trustees are Jan Bensemann, Sarah Kay (treasurer), Linda Glew (chair), David Armstong (secretary), Jem Meegan, Janet Sim, Trudi van der Merwe and Maureen Urwin.

Our people

The trustees together are responsible for ensuring:

• financial prudence and stability,
• creating and monitoring annual budgets,
• creating and monitoring coherent strategic plans,
• building funding sources,
• employment and support of staff – including policies and procedures for staff & volunteers, job descriptions, professional supervision, training/professional development, reviews/appraisals, wellbeing initiatives,
• maintenance and improvement of the building and equipment,
• managing tenancies,
• networking with other organisations,
• operating as a team (with the manager),
• annually review the operation of the board.

Our staff

The Trust employs a small staff including the full-time manager, and a few part-time receptionists who also help when the manager has other specific tasks to do such as planning, funding applications and co-ordination. Cleaning and security tasks are contracted out. The manager currently is Jane Henderson.

Much of the day-to-day work is done by a much appreciated array of volunteers, working on their choice of specific projects or daily tasks such as keeping the free food pantry refreshed, occasional gardening, helping at reception, or as part of assembled teams managing regular or annual events.

Our kaupapa

Our strategic goals are to:

• Maintain a culturally diverse and inclusive hub where people and community organisations can come together;

• Promote and facilitate health and wellbeing initiatives that are responsive to the changing needs of our community;

• Work towards embedding the founding document of Aotearoa/New Zealand, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, in our work;

• Ensure the Trust is financially sustainable now and into the future;

• Have organisational structures for staff and volunteers, so everyone feels supported and clear in their work;
• Communicate and promote our kaupapa in the wider community.