Te whakanui ake i ngā tahuaroa hapori
Increasing community spaces

The central city is home to 17,000 residents. We want to provide accessible community spaces that are full of life and instil a sense of pride in belonging to the inner-city neighbourhood.

Te Wāhi Āwhina

Te Wāhi Āwhina – our community support base, opened when we launched Pōneke Promise in May 2021.

The centre helps people and communities access the support they need, working with organisations across the city to find options for various community needs and inquiries including:

  • housing
  • food, clothing and gear
  • support for retailers
  • city safety
  • health and wellbeing
  • education and employment.

Te Wāhi Āwhina is open from Monday to Friday.

Explore Te Wāhi Āwhina.

Staff in front of the Te Wāhi Āwhina space on Manners Street.

Te Pokapū Hapori

We opened Te Pōkapū Hapori in May 2022. This central city community centre is located at 107 Manners Street, next to Opera House Lane. The centre is a place for people to connect, study, spend time and enjoy events and activities.

There is a structured programme of activities, and the space is also bookable.

The Y manages Te Pokapū Hapori, and will also look after the Youth Hub when it opens in 2023.

Learn more about Te Pokapū Hapori.

Te Pokapū Hapori space on Manners Street.

Te Tai Ohinga – Youth Hub

We’re working with the Y to develop a central city youth hub – a friendly and safe space for young Wellingtonians on Willis Street.

Our young people expressed a desire for a safe place to hang out and have fun with their friends, try new things and have quiet spaces to study and relax – we want the youth hub to be exactly that.

The name Te Tai Ohinga was gifted by Kura Moeahu, Chairman Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa. It celebrates how young people (Ohinga) will always be in Pōneke, just as the tide (Te Tai) will always ebb and flow.

Construction is scheduled to begin soon, with Te Tai Ohinga expected to open its doors later this year with an official launch.

Read more about Te Tai Ohinga – Youth Hub.

Find out more

Explore the Pōneke Promise focus areas below:

Contact us

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Email poneke.promise@wcc.govt.nz if you have questions about the Pōneke Promise.