New Zealand’s first two community houses celebrated half a century of community support this March with an open day event funded by the Kaipātiki Local Board.
The celebration at Birkdale Community House marked 50 years since the Birkdale and Beach Haven community houses were incorporated to form the Birkdale Beach Haven Community Project (BHCP) in 1975.
Local board chair John Gillon says the board’s ongoing support of the BHCP, including an allocation of over $190,000 from Jan 2024 to June 2025, is an acknowledgement of the benefits they provide to the wellbeing of the Kaipātiki community.
“Happy anniversary to the Birkdale Beach Haven Community Project. Your continued contributions to our community build on decades of amazing work kicked off by Professor John Raeburn, former board member Ann Hartley and others when they developed the community house model in the early 70s and we’re keen to help that work continue,” Gillon says.
BHCP Project Lead Amanda Phillips explains that establishing the Birkdale Community House in 1973, “helped paved the way for many other community projects and community houses to follow.”
“There’s a community house or centre in most areas. So, I think if people can connect in with their local community house, the local community Kaimahi that are working in that area, they'll be able to find connection with other people, they'll be able to find things that help their wairua, their health and well-being and mental health, physical health, everything like that.
“So, we're here to really listen to what the community has to say and then help put programmes and events in place to meet those needs and to make people feel connected.” Phillips says.
Community house volunteer Karl Nebbeling has been benefiting from the Birkdale Community House’s weekly te reo Māori conversation classes.
“I started my te reo journey maybe three years ago with the kōrero Māori Mai class on Tuesday morning. Now I’m getting quite fluent and feel quite proud of myself. It’s my second home. I love it.”
You can find out about the BHCP’s current programmes at their website.
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