A transformative youth hangout space is taking shape beside the city’s buses.
The two-storey building at 112 St Andrew St will be the new home of youth charity Tamariki Together.
Founder and chief executive Tanga Tiatoa and his partner and administrator, Krystal Ryland, are looking forward to welcoming young people to a space they can call their own.
"Our main job is for them to disconnect off other things so they can reconnect physically," Mr Tiatoa said.
The focus is on creating future leaders who feel inspired and confident.
"The young ones that's catching the bus or going home and stuff, they can come in, lounge around, play a bit of pool."
Downstairs is designed as a safe, supervised space with a stage, lounge, pool tables, arcade machines and a milkshake bar.
With the blessing of his whānau, the hub will be called JJs, in honour of 16-year-old Enere McLaren-Taana, who died after a knife attack at the bus hub last year.
Enere was among the first 11 to join Tamariki Together’s youth programmes and JJ was his nickname when he took part.
Monthly events on the stage will enable young people in the Music Heals programme to take charge of a DJ booth and express themselves through music.
"We are going to do a little lounging area for them and the rest of the performing artists so they can get that feel of being important."
Free activity kits, designed to cater for about 40 children and eight adults, will be available for families to book out.
"We have got a beach kit, everything that you need for the beach, so a volleyball set, a portable barbecue, water guns, a couple of fishing rods and nine-man tents, three nine-man tents."
There are also fishing kits, a diving kit, a sports kit and a camping kit.
Upstairs will be a community hub where registered youth experiencing a range of challenges can be helped.
A whānau navigation station enables social workers to work with youth, families and caregivers in a private setting.
"It takes a village to raise a young one and we just want the parents to know that we do have a space to cater to them as well.
"As long as they are willing and able to open up to us, let us know the in-depths of why this beautiful child or children are going through what they are going through."
Upstairs will also house a state-of-the-art audio studio where young people in the Music Heals programme can learn to record and perform.
A large open room will provide plenty of space for arts and crafts.
"We bought a T-shirt designing kit and that allows the kids to know what it is like to make their own gears."
"We also got a Nerf guns space up there, so it is just full of Nerf guns, and they can have Nerf wars."
Administrator Krystal Ryland said the site near the bus hub provided an ideal opportunity to connect with young people in the city centre.
"We are a bridge, not a door, we are a bridge to somewhere available for them to go," she said.
Safety is a key factor in the operation.
The team of about half a-dozen people will spend time walking around the bus hub, Mr Tiatoa said.
"Our job is just to walk around, see the young ones, see anyone in trouble.
"The team will find ways to connect with young people, such as handing out milkshake vouchers.
“Instead of asking them how they are, we have already got something to start off the conversation — ‘hey, have you heard of JJ’s? You can get yourself a free milkshake, lots of space for you guys, it is pretty cold out here, you can come over’.”
The registered charity began with 11 children in 2018, with many of its projects running out of the couple’s garage, called the “batcave”.
It now has 3016 registered young people, with another 1800 seeking to sign up.
Its volunteer model is supported by trusts, sponsors and related social enterprises, such as the Te Waahi Taraka Kai food trucks.
The couple have made a long-standing commitment to Tamariki Together, putting their own money in to get the renovations started.
They have secured a lease of more than 30 years, and the building owner is closely involved in the fit-out, offering the charity a generous long-term fixed rent.
The interior design is being informed by what young people have suggested.
"We are aiming for a space for the kids to have, to help produce their ideas, because that is what they need," Mr Tiatoa said.
The downstairs fit-out is expected to take about four to six weeks, with upstairs renovations due to be completed in about six months.
The whole project is anticipated to cost just over $1 million.
About $350,000 has been raised so far, and the organisation has set up a Givealittle page so people can contribute to the project.
— Visit givealittle.co.nz and search for Tamariki Together to give.
