For 30 years, Te Kauwhata & Districts Information & Support Centre Incorporated has worked to create a connected and supported community.
Today, that work continues through Te Kauwhata Community House, Toi Ako Artspace and Te Kauwhata Community Garden. The organisation will celebrate its anniversary with two fundraising events at Te Kauwhata Rugby Club on Saturday, 10 October: a high tea at 1pm and the Te Kauwhata Ball from 6.30pm until late.
Tickets are now on sale, with all funds raised helping the organisation respond to the needs of a rapidly growing community.
More than 12,000 engagements were recorded across the organisation last year, including people seeking food, transport, mental health support, employment assistance, peer support and community activities.
Community transport use increased by 36 percent, while peer support groups now cater for people experiencing grief or cancer, new parents and parents of disabled and neurodivergent children. In recent months, the greatest increase in demand has been at the food bank.
From the library to a community home
Originally known as TK DISC, the organisation began in 1996 after Hazel Boldero and Jean Lawton identified the need for locally delivered support. They gathered other community members and established the organisation at the local library, where its first staff members, Edith Cullen and Leonie McDowall, worked alongside volunteers.
It became an incorporated society in 1998 and soon offered services ranging from counselling, budgeting and employment assistance to a food bank, WINZ clinics and bereavement support.
An early success was the Toy Box, a toy library led by Leah Boldero from 1998. It operated for a decade and became part of the childhoods of a generation of local families.
Jennie Gore became manager in 1999, assisted by Linda Moss and later Ann Norman. During her tenure, the organisation moved into its current home at 1A Waerenga Road with the support of landlords Denise and John Wallace.
Jennie also worked with the community to establish Splash’n Dash, Te Kauwhata’s annual Children’s Day celebration, which continues on the first Sunday in March.
Jo Mako became Community House Manager following Jennie’s retirement in 2016, supported by Nicky Patterson. The organisation marked its 21st anniversary by adopting the Te Kauwhata Community House name.
A major milestone followed in 2018 when the organisation purchased its Waerenga Road building with support from Lotteries, WEL Energy Trust, Trust Waikato, Waikato District Council, Te Kauwhata Community Committee and Te Kauwhata Lions. Two renovations have since created counselling rooms, a food bank, boardroom and lounge, although the building is already regularly at capacity.
New services emerge
Between 2018 and 2020, the organisation took over a medical transport service established by Rural Women members Isobel Kelly and June Smith. Volunteer drivers continue to take people to medical appointments locally and in Hamilton and Thames.
Six art workshops led by Lauren Hughes in 2018 also grew into the Toi Ako programme and the opening of Toi Ako Artspace beneath St Margaret’s Hall in 2020.
When the Te Kauwhata Community Association closed in 2019, it gifted its building at 3 Main Road to the organisation. The building is leased to Aparangi for the House of Treasures Op Shop, with proceeds returned to the community.
Nicky became Community House Manager in 2020 and guided the organisation through the Covid years. Following further growth, including the expansion of Toi Ako and opening of the Community Garden, the organisation restructured in 2022. Lauren was appointed General Manager and Leanne Mako became Finance Manager. Angela McKee succeeded Nicky as Community House Manager in 2025.
Recent additions include legal clinics, social transport, creative arts therapy, peer support groups, community composting and Neighbourhood Support. The organisation also works with community partners to deliver events including SKATEfest, Unity Hoops, Chalky Christmas, Te Kauwhata Arts Weekend and the Community Photography Competition.
Less than 20 percent of its annual income is contracted. The remaining 80 percent must be found through contestable funding, earned revenue and donations.
Attending one of the anniversary events will help sustain this work during the coming year. Regular donations, including small contributions, are also welcomed.
Visit www.tekauwhatacommunityhouse.org.nz/donate.html, call 07 826 4303 or email assistant@tekauwhata.org.nz
