Community house project gets $100,000

A $100,000 donation to the Bishops' Action Foundation will be used to set up a collaborative social services house in Hawera.

The financial gift by Origin Energy and the Kupe Joint Venture project will be used to convert Hawera's Methodist Church Hall into offices for community groups and government agencies.

"We are giving practical help to the community," said Alan Upson, president of the Methodist Church of New Zealand.

The Methodist hall in Regent St, which has been a part of the church since the 1950s, is going to be renovated rather than demolished to allow Workwise Employment Agency, Supporting Families and Family Works to pool resources and save on rent.

Bishops' Action Foundation chief executive Simon Cayley said it was exactly what its Keystone Taranaki project worked towards. "We were approached by several groups in the area who wanted to work in together.

"That's where the Methodist Church came in with their building," he said.

"Once it's completed then the rental funds will be used for essential repairs and maintenance.

"Any funds not used for those will be put into youth services because it's about putting what we have back into the community."

Kupe Joint Venture spokesman Chris Bush said this initiative reflected local community values as well as those of the Kupe project.

"Our staff are looking forward to being involved with lending a hand and sharing their knowledge as part of our longer term commitment to supporting the South Taranaki community."

The renovation plans have been signed off and are undergoing the council consent process with construction due to start next month.

- © Fairfax NZ News