Background

The Papawhariki Project is a community led initiative which emerged in response to a need for the development of a community hub within Kaiti.

Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti & Gisborne District Council

July 2012 – SGT and GDC were able to secure funding through Sport NZ’s Active Communities initiative.

GDC as owners of Waikirikiri Reserve also contributed financially.

the first stage included:

Establishment of Governance Structure Engagement with sports codes and

community stakeholders Growth and increase of participation and

usage on Waikirikiri Reserve Consultation - ongoing Concept and design Feasibility study

We can demonstrate that the Kaiti Hub. . . .

1. is a community infrastructure initiative2. has strong community support, beyond

the Kaiti Community3. is economically viable 4. links to GDC’s strategic priorities

1. Community Infrastructure

The demographics of Kaiti should be well known to the Council and many of these demographics have been updated within the Feasibility Study.

We are less concerned about statistics and focussed more on the people of Kaiti.

The Kaiti Hub will contribute to solutions rather than problem identification.

In order to support the community, there is a desperate need to have a gathering place, a place the Kaiti Community can call there own.

The Kaiti Hub initiative is no different in terms of adding to Community Infrastructure such as current Council major projects:

• War Memorial Theatre - $4.25m• Library Upgrade - $3.5m• Lawson Field Theatre - ?• Olympic Pool - $4.5m

Leadership such as this from the Gisborne District Council will be a critical factor in our fundraising efforts to Trusts and Lotteries.

As part of our research, we were pointed to the Hastings District Council Community Centres, within their Flaxmere and Camberley suburbs.

There are important parallels to Kaiti.

We applaud the leadership shown by the Hastings District Council in providing these facilities for those targeted communities.

2. Strong Community Support - beyond the Kaiti Community

Evident by:

• Papawhariki Day held Saturday, 11 October 2014 at Waikirikiri Reserve to socialise, update and consult with the Community about the project:

• 1800 people attended the day• 250 people formally registered as supporters of the kaupapa• 50 individual consultation feedback forms provided to PSI to

inform both needs and aspirations as well as design ideas

• Gisborne Herald Poll “Do you support the Papawhariki Project – the plan for a $3M sport, recreation and community hub in Kaiti on Waikirikiri Reserve”.

• 486 participants (largest herald poll in 2014)• 73% support for the project

The Kaiti Hub sporting partners:

• Rugby Union• Rugby League• Touch Rugby• Softball• Body Building• Pro-Fit Community Express

Represent close to 1000 proposed users of the Hub excluding their whanau.

The broad range of organisations:

• Government• NGOs• Community Groups

PSI have consulted with those who endorse the community benefits of the Kaiti Hub and who have expressed an interest in using the facility when built

One of the largest turnouts for the Community Meetings held at the Kaiti Mall on 28 March 2015 where there was demonstrated Community Support for Papawhariki and the Kaiti Hub

3. Economically Viable

A key question we have had to address is sustainability of an investment of up to $4.5M (includes building and grounds development).

We are confident that the forecasted operational costs of up to $84k pa can be accommodated through a combination of:

• Sporting code contributions from its members • Leased offices to parties who have expressed an interest in being

based at the Hub and• Hire of the facilities to a multitude of user groups (community

groups; education; health; social services)

The recommendation for GDC to include a contribution of $1.5M in Year 3 (2018) does not compromise the 2% rates target for Yr 1 and 2.

A commitment will allow the Design and Fundraising stage to progress with confidence.

Papawhariki has been socialised with the following potential funders:

• The Williams Family Trusts • Eastern and Central Community Trust • NZ Lotteries Board • Eastland Community Trust

4. Links to GDC’s Strategic Priorities

We have asked ourselves whether this project is aligned with the strategic priorities of the GDC. We believe there is strong alignment:

Resilience - the ability for our people to prepare for or bounce back from adversity

Adversity is an everyday reality for the people of Kaiti.

At the heart of this project is providing a Hub, a gathering place for all people of Kaiti to build their resilience and uplift this community.

This is not a building project, this is not a sporting project. This project is all about the community and ratepayers of Kaiti – he tangata, he tangata, he tangata

Prosperous Tairawhiti – fostering economic growth and community well-being

Prosperity is often viewed in terms of dollars.

We view prosperity in terms of realising potential and we believe the Kaiti Hub will realise new potential that will lead to community well-being and economic growth within Kaiti through new sporting Tournaments into the Gisborne Region by way of example.

Environmental Stewardship – caring for our natural resources

We believe the community sense of pride in The Kaiti Hub will lead to new initiatives within the immediate surrounds in keeping the Reserve clean and tidy, working groups of volunteers to support projects such as keeping creeks clear of rubbish, responding to graffiti etc.

1970’s Waikirikiri School kids clean up crew

Mana Tairawhiti – enhancing and enjoying our unique region

Kaiti people are proud of where they live. Kaiti is “Our Place”. The development of The Kaiti Hub will enhance the Mana of the people of Kaiti.

Inclusive decision-making – involve and engage people in decision-making PSI is particularly proud to have driven this project from the community ground up. We have opened our minds, our eyes to see and ears to hear what the community needs are.

What is proposed is a direct result of the community’s inclusion in decision-making.

The challenge will now be for the Council to be responsive to the call of the Kaiti Community.

Recommendations to Council regarding the Kaiti Hub 1. This current community lead initiative (PSI) be adopted as a

formal GDC Major Project for and on behalf of the Gisborne Community

2. This Major Project be included in the 2015-2025 LTP at a cost of $4.5M (excl. GST) to be funded $1.5M by Council in Year 3 of the plan (2018) and the balance of funding to be sort from Grant Funding and Fundraising

3. That a Memorandum of Understanding be established between the GDC and PSI to clarify roles and responsibilities to have The Kaiti Hub fully operational by 30 June 2017

Closing comments

We commend GDC on the following:

• Draft 2015-2025 LTP• 2% rates rise over the next 2 years• Progress made on projects incorporated into the 2012-22 LTP

Our petition to GDC is that in considering The Kaiti Hub project, this project be seen as being a critical piece of community infrastructure as the walkways, the cycle ways and underground services.

The Kaiti Hub is about people infrastructure and the people will be gathering at 5pm at Te Tini o Porou to meet with Councillors.