Central City Youth Hub

We are creating a youth hub in the central city – Te Tai Ohinga will be a safe space where young people can connect with their community, take part in activities and just hang out.

A group of young people playing with Lego blocks.

About the project 

Te Tai Ohinga will be located on Willis Street, next to St Peter’s Church. 

This location is central, accessible and open plan. Construction is scheduled to begin soon, with Te Tai Ohinga expected to open it’s doors in late 2023/early 2024. 

The name Te Tai Ohinga was gifted by Kura Moeahu, Chairman Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa, who has been working with supporting the Council to understand the history and narratives of Pōneke.

Te Tai refers to the tides of the sea, and Ohinga is a word referencing youth which is derived from Taranaki and connects the opportunity for youth in Pōneke to make a resurgence now that we have a safe space coming for them to hang out. There will always be young people in Pōneke, just as the tide will always ebb and flow. 

Engagement

We held a drop-in hui for rangitahi to come and share their ideas in October 2021. We also ran a survey over a four-week period. This was part of the pre-engagement to scope the project. 

In-depth workshops held with Wellington City Youth Council and young people from across the city are helping shape the final vision for the youth hub, and bring the architects plans to life. 

Background 

The Youth Hub is an outcome of the Pōneke Promise, community driven partnership aimed at improving the safety and vibrancy of the central city.

Through adopting the 2021 Strategy for Children and Young People, we are committed to delivering a Youth Hub as part of providing more safe and inclusive spaces for young people.

Once open, the space will be managed by the The Y (YMCA Central), who are also funded to run Te Pokapū Hapori, the new community centre at 107 Manners Street.

The Council has allocated funding in the Long-term Plan to support the interim hub for six years, as suitable spaces are likely to replace this in Te Matapihi Central Library when it reopens in 2026.

Contact us

If you have any questions please contact the Connected Community – Youth Hub Project Team.
Email: communitysupport@wcc.govt.nz