FINAL REPORT – JULY 2017

Auckland Council

Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei Community Needs Assessment and Facilities Investigation Report

Prepared by Mobius Research and Strategy Ltd. 1 PROJECT | Meadowbank, Remuera, Ōrākei Community Needs Assessment

Table of Contents 1: Executive Summary ...... 3 1.1 Background and objectives ...... 3 1.2 Approach ...... 3 1.3 Key conclusions ...... 3 1.4 Meadowbank Community Centre: summary of key findings, and considerations ...... 4 1.5 Tahapa Crescent Hall – summary of key findings, and considerations ...... 4 1.6 4 Victoria Avenue – summary of key findings, and considerations ...... 4 1.7 Ōrākei Community Centre – summary of key findings, and considerations ...... 5 2: Project Background and Objectives ...... 6 3: Approach ...... 7 3.1 Key community stakeholder interviews ...... 7 3.2 Other community interviews ...... 7 3.3 Community feedback ...... 8 3.4 Desk research ...... 10 4: Strategic Context ...... 11 5: Demographic Analysis ...... 13 5.1 Overview ...... 13 5.2 Current demographic characteristics – Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei ...... 13 5.3 Demographic profile Ōrākei Local Board area overall ...... 14 5.3.1 Key demographic changes 2006-2013 ...... 14 5.4 Future forecasts – Ōrākei Local Board area ...... 15 5.4.1 Housing impacts ...... 16 6: Meadowbank Community Centre ...... 17 6.1 Summary of key findings, and considerations ...... 17 6.2 Background and Context ...... 19 6.3 The current context ...... 19 6.3.1 Services, activities, programmes and venue hire ...... 20 6.3.2 Facility weaknesses ...... 20 6.4 Alternative facilities in the Meadowbank area for community use ...... 22 6.5 Community Feedback ...... 24 6.5.1 Key findings ...... 25 6.5.2 Other activities of interest and the spatial/venue implications ...... 27 7: Tahapa Crescent Hall ...... 28 7.1 Summary of key findings, and considerations ...... 28 7.2 Current Context ...... 28 7.2.1 Services, activities, programmes and venue hire ...... 28 7.2.2 Facility weaknesses ...... 29 7.3 Alternative facilities for community use ...... 29 7.4 Community Feedback ...... 29 7.4.1 Key findings ...... 30 8: 4 Victoria Avenue, Remuera ...... 31 8.1 Summary of key findings, and considerations ...... 31 8.2 Overview and site description ...... 32 8.3 The facility - overall feedback ...... 32

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8.4 Remuera Plunket - overview ...... 33 8.4.1 Remuera Plunket - facility preferences ...... 33 8.5 Remuera CAB – overview ...... 34 8.5.1 Remuera CAB - facility preferences ...... 35 8.6 Alternative facilities in the Remuera area for community use ...... 35 8.7 Community feedback ...... 38 8.7.1 Community feedback - the Remuera Residents Association ...... 38 8.7.2 Community survey feedback ...... 39 8.7.3 Other activities of interest and the spatial/venue implications ...... 39 9: Ōrākei Community Centre ...... 41 9.1 Summary of key findings, and considerations ...... 41 9.2 Background ...... 42 9.2.1 Services, activities, programmes and venue hire ...... 42 9.2.2 Facility weaknesses ...... 43 9.3 Alternative facilities in the Ōrākei area for community use ...... 43 9.4 Community feedback ...... 45 9.4.1 Key findings ...... 45 10 Conclusions ...... 47 10.1 Ōrākei Local Board – the Communities Facilities Network ...... 47 10.2 The four facilities – key conclusions ...... 48 Appendix A: Stakeholders who were unable to take part or did not respond to a request for an interview ...... 49 Appendix B: Community survey demographics ...... 50 Appendix C: Meadowbank Community Centre – supplemental information ...... 54 Appendix D: Tahapa Crescent Hall - supplemental information ...... 62 Appendix E: 4 Victoria Avenue – supplemental information ...... 65 Appendix F: Ōrākei Community Centre Community – supplemental information ...... 72

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1: Executive Summary

1.1 Background and objectives

Council is looking at future needs and opportunities for the following facilities:

• Meadowbank Community Centre, 29 St Johns Road • Tahapa Crescent Hall, 22 Tahapa Crescent • 4 Victoria Avenue, Remuera, and • Ōrākei Community Centre.

A community needs assessment was required to better understand the current and future needs of the local population.

1.2 Approach

A mixed approach was used comprising desk research, qualitative and quantitative approaches – including in- depth interviews with key community stakeholders, programme providers and facility users and non-users, and online community feedback from residents across the catchments of Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei community facilities.

1.3 Key conclusions

1. Community venues (including halls and meeting rooms) are highly valued (and utilised) across all three areas explored as part of this study. Of the three areas, Meadowbank has the fewest facilities available for community use and Remuera has the most (in the form of non-Council owned facilities such as schools and church halls). Meadowbank residents are however the most satisfied with the range of community facilities, activities, services and programmes in their area. Ōrākei residents are the least satisfied and have the second fewest number of facilities (Council and non-Council owned) – although the Ōrākei Community Centre is not operating to capacity at present.

2. All four facilities explored are described as run-down and in need of refurbishment. From a priority perspective however, the most significant issues are to do with the Meadowbank Community Centre and 4 Victoria Avenue. The Meadowbank Community Centre has been the subject of a number of reports, all of which have provided consistent feedback as to its current condition utilisation. The tenants at 4 Victoria Avenue have both also raised concerns about the building, which suggest that it is not fit for purpose (including structurally). Feedback from people who have used 4 Victoria Avenue is also negative.

3. Both Tahapa Crescent Hall and 4 Victoria Avenue are not as well utilised as they could be. Plunket rarely use the property at 4 Victoria Avenue on Mondays and Fridays, or after 4.30pm other weekdays or on weekends. The CAB mainly uses the property during the day (weekdays) and only once or twice a week for evening clinics. Tahapa Crescent Hall has two spaces, only one of which can be used at one time. For this reason, neither site (given the venue constraints in these two areas) are maximising their community usage opportunities.

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4. Many of the desired activities, programmes and services identified by the community as part of this project are already offered at various venues (Council-owned as well as non-Council owned), which suggests that there is an opportunity for better communication around the community activities that are available.

1.4 Meadowbank Community Centre: summary of key findings, and considerations

1. The Meadowbank Community Centre is a well-utilised Centre and is booked most mornings, evenings and weekends.

2. The population for the wider Ōrākei Local Board area is forecast to steadily increase in the future, which suggests that demand for community facilities will increase.

3. There are limited other community venue options in the Meadowbank area – fewer than are available in either Remuera or Ōrākei.

4. Key feedback regarding room sizes is that more flexible spaces are required (with an overall capacity of between 80-100 people) – able to be partitioned off into two separate, smaller spaces.

5. A redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre could also possibly cater to the activities currently available at Tahapa Crescent Hall – if consideration was given to a sprung floor option.

6. A redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre could also potentially include space to accommodate a Plunket Clinic and waiting room. This is discussed in more detail in Section Eight of this report. Plunket have expressed a willingness to consider a range of options including a superclinic (combining Meadowbank and Remuera) and ‘pack in pack out’ venue options (i.e. non dedicated spaces).

1.5 Tahapa Crescent Hall – summary of key findings, and considerations

1. Tahapa Crescent Hall is currently reasonably well utilised as a community facility.

2. One of the key benefits of Tahapa Crescent Hall is that it has a sprung wooden floor and therefore can accommodate dancing activities.

3. The facility is considered to be in poor condition, has some security issues and limited parking. The facility also has no street presence and can be difficult to find. It is challenging to improve use as a community facility in its current configuration as only one room can be used at a time.

4. Given its current usage constraints, consideration could be given as to whether current activities can be undertaken at a redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre rather than redeveloping this facility.

1.6 4 Victoria Avenue – summary of key findings, and considerations

1. The current tenants at 4 Victoria Avenue have expressed dissatisfaction with this facility – including concerns regarding the structure of the building. Users of this facility have also provided negative feedback regarding room size, privacy and the general state of the building.

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2. Both tenants have expressed a willingness to consider an alternative site (despite a preference to remain in Remuera) – CAB has considered Ōrākei and Plunket are open to the concept of a shared (pack in pack out) space or a superclinic at a redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre.

3. 4 Victoria Avenue, like Tahapa Crescent Hall could be considered to be underperforming in terms of its availability for wider community use. At present half of the site is not used on a Monday or Friday or on weekends, and the site is not used significantly in the evenings (other than for CAB clinics as discussed – one once a week and one once a fortnight).

4. Remuera has more spaces available for use by the community than the other two areas (Meadowbank and Ōrākei) – and significantly more so than Meadowbank. Room spaces vary in size from small meeting rooms through to large halls with the capacity for more than 200 people. We do note however, that many of these spaces (including school and church facilities) are extremely well used.

1.7 Ōrākei Community Centre – summary of key findings, and considerations

1. The Ōrākei Community Centre is described by the Manager a busy, well-utilised Centre. However, this project has found limited evidence to suggest that groups/individuals are being turned away from the Centre because of a lack of capacity on a regular basis, and there is evidence to suggest that usage has decreased over the last two years. As we have already stated however, the population for the wider Ōrākei Local Board area is forecast to steadily increase in the future (see Population estimates and projections for the Ōrākei Local Board Area, Auckland, New Zealand 1998-2043, Figure.NZ) which suggests that demand for community facilities will increase. It seems likely that demand for the Ōrākei Community Centre will increase (or at least remain steady).

2. The refurbishment needs at the Ōrākei Community Centre are less urgent than those at the Meadowbank Community Centre and this should be taken into account in terms of timing and resource allocation decisions.

3. In the medium term it seems likely that an additional room the size of the Community Room would be beneficial. There are other community use options available in the local area, however these are limited.

4. Ōrākei residents are less satisfied overall with the range of community facilities, activities, services and programmes in their area.

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2: Project Background and Objectives

Auckland Council owns a number of community facilities within the Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei communities. Four of these facilities are:

• Meadowbank Community Centre, 29 St Johns Road • Tahapa Crescent Hall, 22 Tahapa Crescent • 4 Victoria Avenue, Remuera, and • Ōrākei Community Centre.

There are also other Council funded community facilities as well as non-Council owned facilities in these communities that provide community access, services or programmes.

Council is looking at future needs and opportunities for the four facilities and a community needs assessment was first required to better understand the current and future (the next 20-30 years) needs of the local population. The local population, in this context, are those residents living within a 15 minute walking distance of these four facilities.

Preliminary research had already identified a range of actions and opportunities with regards to these community facilities and sites – as well as the services that are (currently able to be) delivered at these facilities. This includes the potential for better strategic and commercial optimisation of the Meadowbank Community Centre, for better building design allowing for more flexible and multi-functional use, and also community facilities that are more fit for purpose with respect to current and future community needs.

The core objective of this project was to identify how Council can ensure that they are responding to the current and future needs of the local population, through a community service offer realising Council’s strategy for empowered community delivery, well supported by provision of integrated and fit-for-purpose community facilities.

The intention of this report is to inform assessment of the community services requirements for these four facilities/sites – in order to assist Auckland Council and Panuku Development Auckland in exploring potential redevelopment opportunities. This needs assessment took place in the context of the community access, services and programmes offered from other Council-funded and non-Council owned or funded facilities.

This report presents the findings from the community needs assessment as well as specific feedback about, and opportunities for the four facilities.

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3: Approach

This was a mixed method project comprising desk research, qualitative and quantitative approaches – including in- depth interviews with key community stakeholders, programme providers and facility users and non-users, and online community feedback from residents across the catchments of Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei community facilities.

3.1 Key community stakeholder interviews

A total of 20 interviews were undertaken with key community stakeholders – 19 were one-on-one, face-to-face interviews and one interview was conducted by telephone. The list of stakeholders was provided by Auckland Council and included:

• The Managers of the Meadowbank and Ōrākei Community Centres, and another staff member at the Ōrākei Community Centre • Local schools including Selwyn College, Ōrākei School and St Josephs Catholic School • The Ōrākei Marae • St James Church Ōrākei • The Ōrākei Tennis Club • Remuera Plunket and Plunket’s National Office (Wellington) • The Remuera Citizens Advice Bureau • The Ōrākei Community Association • The Remuera Residents Association – an interview and attendance at the February board meeting • The Remuera Business Association • Remuera Library • The Community of St Lukes • St Chads • The St Heliers Bay Church and Community Centre.

All community stakeholders identified by Auckland Council were contacted to take part. A small number were unable to take part in the timeframe or did not respond to a request for an interview. A list of these is provided in Appendix A.

3.2 Other community interviews

Interviews were also conducted with the following:

N 17 Programme providers at the Meadowbank and Ōrākei Community Centres, and Tahapa Crescent Hall 13 Programme providers at other non-Council owned facilities 19 Facility users – across the four sites 21 Facility users at other non-Council owned facilities 18 Residents who have not taken part in any services, activities or programmes offered across the four sites (non-users)

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A total of 326 people provided feedback (includes via the community survey outlined below). All interviews were conducted between December 2016 and March 2017.

3.3 Community feedback

More than 13,500 households across the Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei areas were invited to provide feedback via a community survey. A specific survey sample size was not sought – but rather members of the community were invited to provide feedback via an online survey format. A flyer was delivered to households in early February 2017.

Flyers were delivered to every household in the catchment areas for the four facilities and residents were invited to provide their feedback by accessing a survey web link (www.mrosurvey.nz). An 0800 number and contact name was also provided for any residents who did not have access to the Internet or who preferred to provide their feedback via telephone. No requests for a telephone-based discussion were received.

Posters and flyers were also left at each of the four facilities and at other key local sites such as the Remuera Library, schools, the Ōrākei Marae and some of the other non-Council owned facilities in these areas.

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Have Your Say!

We are exploring future needs and opportunities for community activities, programmes, and facilities in your area. As part of a growing and changing community, we need your help to understand current and future community needs - whether you use community facilities or not.

Please take the time to provide feedback via a short survey at the following website: www.mrosurvey.nz

This work is being carried out on behalf of Auckland Council by an independent company, Mobius Research – any feedback you provide will be anonymous. We very much appreciate your feedback.

If you have any questions please email: [email protected]. If you don’t have access to the internet call Michelle on 0800 662 487.

In addition, survey links were provided to, and distributed to databases of residents/users held by the following organisations:

• The Remuera Residents Association • The Ōrākei Community Association • The Meadowbank Residents Association • The Community of St Luke • St Josephs Ōrākei – via a school newsletter • Ōrākei School – via a school newsletter • The Eastern Bays Network Meeting.

A survey link was also placed on the Neighbourly website, specifically targeting residents of Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei. Other key community stakeholders and programme providers were also sent invitations and links and asked to forward these on to anyone else whose feedback they considered to be relevant.

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A total of N=218 people provided feedback online. The survey results presented in this report should be considered as supporting information for the in-depth interview feedback. See Appendix B for detailed participant demographics tables.

Many of the survey open-ended comments provided by residents within each of the three areas of Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei were consistent in terms of key themes, and were also consistent with much of the feedback obtained via the in-depth interviews. There was a high degree of repetition on the key themes across interview participants and also between the interviews and the open ended comments from the survey.

Input/advice was also provided regarding a Youth Survey being conducted by the St Heliers Bay Church and Community Centre which targeted youth in the wider Ōrākei Local Board area – it was suggested that some of the same questions being used in the community feedback survey (described above) be included in the Youth Survey. St Heliers Bay Church and Community Centre has offered to share the results of that survey once results are available. At the time of writing this report however, those results were not yet available.

3.4 Desk research

The following were reviewed as part of this project:

• The Auckland Plan • The Unitary Plan • The Long Term Plan • The Ōrākei Local Board Plan • Thriving Communities Action Plan • Community Facilities Network and Action Plan • Community Facility Development Guidelines • Meadowbank Community Centre Development Report – Creative Development Solution 2011 (Strachan Group Architects Limited) • Meadowbank Community Needs Assessment 2015 • Auckland City Council Community Centres Research: Meadowbank Report (Ben Parsons and Associates, 2010) • Site Plans, Floor Plans and Lease Floor Plans for the sites

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4: Strategic Context

Auckland Council’s commitment to the provision of fit for purpose community spaces and places has been well documented at both a macro level in both the Auckland and the Unitary Plans, through to proposed specific community facility initiatives at a local board level.

Priority Two of Chapter 12 of the Auckland Plan 2012 (Physical and Social Infrastructure) states that Council will “protect, enable, align, integrate and provide social and community infrastructure for present and future generations”. Council will do this through “identifying social infrastructure needs and engaging local boards to prioritise community infrastructure requirements”. It is within the context of this strategic direction that Council is formulating its plans for the proposed use of community facilities.

The Community Facilities Network Plan has identified community facilities as an “important part of realising the vision for Auckland to become the world’s most liveable city”. Community facilities “contribute to building strong, healthy and vibrant communities by providing spaces where Aucklanders can connect, socialise, learn and participate in a wide range of social, cultural, art and recreational activities” which “foster improved lifestyles and a sense of belonging and pride”.

One of the key outcomes identified in the Ōrākei Local Board Plan 2014 is “well-built community centres, enhanced libraries and well designed neighbourhoods shaped by the community”. The vision for Ōrākei is that “Ōrākei is a community that is safe and welcoming with great community facilities that meet the needs of our people”. Under its Local Community Services section, the Plan identifies a Level of Service of “providing safe, reliable and accessible social infrastructure for Aucklanders that contributes to placemaking and thriving communities”. Two key initiatives identified in the Plan under this outcome are:

• Bringing forward funding to upgrade the Meadowbank Community Centre and • Investigating development options, including Public Private Partnership funding for the building at 4 Victoria Avenue, Remuera currently housing Remuera Plunket and the Remuera Citizens Advice Bureau.

In order to ensure existing facilities are, and continue to be fit for purpose and affordable in the context of Auckland’s growing and increasingly diverse population, the Community Facilities Network Plan has identified that a more “holistic, community-led approach to the planning and provision of community facilities is required” and the need to consider “different models of provision for ownership, design, location and operation of facilities”. This includes:

• Undertaking integrated and coordinated planning across all types of community facilities to ensure future decisions are based on clear evidence and assessment of all options • Maintaining, improving and making best use of the existing network of community facilities where these continue to meet community needs • Focusing investment on developing fit for purpose, integrated and connected community facilities, and • Exploring opportunities to leverage and support partnerships with other providers.

The purpose of the Community Facilities Network Plan is to “guide Council’s investment in the provision of community facilities for the next 20 years”. The key drivers here are to:

• Ensure existing facilities are fit for purpose

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• Address gaps or duplications in the provision and needs for community facilities, and • Meet future demand arising from population growth and changing user expectations.

Council’s Long Term Plan 2015-2025 outlines a conservative fiscal environment for the immediate future with respect to the current community facility network. As outlined in the Community Facilities Network Plan, in order to optimise Auckland-wide community facility provision within this conservative fiscal environment there needs to be:

• Better use made of existing community facilities which may mean disposing of poorly utilised or non- performing facilities (in order to fund new assets or reduce ongoing costs) • Implementation of an Empowered Communities approach to delivering activities, including funding community groups to deliver more with local boards playing an active role in this • Focusing new capital expenditure into locations guided by spatial priorities and where growth is occurring.

Council’s Finance and Performance Committee approved an optimisation programme in March 2015 to “facilitate, enhance and progress the delivery of strategic objectives”. The programme “seeks to release strategic and commercial value from underperforming property currently in service so that it can be directly reinvested into other local service property or activities”.

It is in this context that the current project was undertaken, focusing both on the current ‘fit for purpose state’ of the four facilities under investigation (Meadowbank Community Centre, Tahapa Crescent Hall, 4 Victoria Avenue, Remuera, and Ōrākei Community Centre) along with a community needs assessment across the Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei areas. The purpose of the community needs assessment was to ensure that any decisions regarding these four facilities/sites take into account the views, and current and future needs of the local community – particularly with respect to identifying any current or potential future gaps in the provision of these types of community facilities.

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5: Demographic Analysis

5.1 Overview

This section provides a summary of the key demographic profile and changes forecast for the Ōrākei Local Board area – and, where the information was available, for Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei specifically. Overall, as with the rest of Auckland, population increases are likely for these areas, which will have implications in terms of community facility needs moving forward. This is particularly significant for the Meadowbank area which had the largest population increase (of the three areas) between 2006 and 2013 and currently has the fewest number of community facilities (Council and non-Council owned). As we described throughout this report, the Meadowbank Community Centre and other facilities in the area are also extremely well utilised.

The key changes predicted for the wider Ōrākei Local Board area are: increases in the population size as a whole, increases in the Asian population and increases in the population aged 65+.

5.2 Current demographic characteristics – Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei

Table 1 below outlines the key demographic profile for each of the three areas within the scope of this study. Please note that these figures were determined based on averages across the two census areas (within each of the three areas) and were not calculated to represent geographically exact data (i.e. proportional calculations based on the population within each sub-segment area) (Department of Statistics, Census Profiles 2013). Percentages have also been rounded. This data is presented here to reflect key trends/differences across the three areas and to provide a broad overall ‘picture’ of current demographic profiles. In summary:

• Meadowbank has the largest population (of these three areas) • The median age is slightly younger in Meadowbank • The Meadowbank population has increased more compared to changes in Remuera and Ōrākei between 2006 and 2013 • Remuera and Meadowbank have higher Asian populations • Remuera has slightly fewer residents aged under 15 years • Ōrākei has a higher Maori population • Ōrākei has slightly fewer ‘couple with children’ families • Ōrākei has a slightly higher average personal income. • The number of residents aged 65+ is similar across all three areas.

The key demographic changes between the 2006 Census and the 2013 Census were consistent across each of these areas and also consistent across the wider Ōrākei Local Board area. Key changes have been:

• An increase in overall population size • Increases in the size of the Asian population, and • Increases in the population aged 65 and above.

These were also the key changes documented in the earlier Meadowbank Needs Assessment report (2015).

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Table 1: Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei Key Demographics

Statistic Meadowbank (North and Remuera (West and Ōrākei (North and South) South) South) Population 11,706 3,627 4,468 An increase of 6.2% since An increase of 4% since An increase of 1.5% since 2006 2006 2006 Occupied dwellings 4,278 2,619 3,315 Median age 36 years 41 years 41 years Population aged 65+ 14% 14% 14% Population under 15 years 19% 17% 19% Ethnicity: European 72% 68% 79% Maori 4% 3% 8% Pacific Peoples 3% 2% 4% Asian 23% 30% 14% Middle Eastern, Latin 2% 1% 1% American, African Couples with children 50% 50% 45% One parent families 14% 15% 14% Median personal income $41,350 $41,000 $44,000

5.3 Demographic profile Ōrākei Local Board area overall

5.3.1 Key demographic changes 2006-2013

The key demographic changes in the wider Ōrākei Local Board area are outlined below (Auckland Council, Ōrākei Local Board Profile 2013), along with overall key demographics. Much of this information was also presented in the State of Auckland Demographic Report card for the Ōrākei Local Board area (2016). Once again, key trends were in overall population size, the Asian population and the population aged 65+.

Table 2: Ōrākei Local Board Profile 2006-2013

• The usual resident population count for the Ōrākei Local Board area was 79,536. The resident population increased by 5015 (6.7%) between the 2006 Census and the 2013 Census • Over three quarters (77.4%) of the Ōrākei usual resident population identified as European, Maori 4.7% and Pacific Peoples 2.9% • The population identifying with an Asian ethnic group increased from 15.3% in 2006 to 18.1% in 2013 • The median age in Ōrākei was 40.2 years • The number of usual residents in Ōrākei aged 65+ was 11,895, up from 9894 in 2006 • The proportion of employed adults was 65.8% in 2013 • A total of 29,046 households and 29,196 occupied private dwellings were recorded in Ōrākei • One family households (as opposed to extended and non-family) were the most common type of household, making up 71.5% of all households in Ōrākei

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5.4 Future forecasts – Ōrākei Local Board area

As with the wider Auckland area, the total population size for the Ōrākei Local Board area (including Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei) is set to increase. This has implications in terms of the community facilities that will be required to service these increased populations in the future – and in particular with respect the Meadowbank Community Centre, which is already well utilised (and has the fewest other community facilities including non- Council owned compared to the other two areas).

Auckland Regional Transport growth model (version I9) has the following population forecasts for the facility catchments.

Table 3: Auckland Regional Transport Growth Model Population Forecasts

Catchment 2016 2026 2046 Meadowbank Community 19,870 22,663 27,370 Centre Tahapa Crescent Hall 18,062 20,852 25,612 4 Victoria Avenue 29,714 36,544 48,668 Ōrākei Community Centre 14,386 16,704 20,678 Please note: The figures are not presented as total as the catchments overlap and this would lead to double counting.

The following table outlines the projected population increases for Ōrākei and for specific areas within Meadowbank and Remuera (Auckland Council District Updates: Section Three Growth and Demand). Data was not available for Meadowbank South or for Remuera South, however it seems likely that average increase per year presented for Meadowbank North and Remuera West will reflect changes in these areas.

These areas are forecast to grow steadily over the next 20 years, although the annual growth rate is expected to be lower compared to Auckland overall (with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%).

Table 4: Auckland Council District Updates

Area 2016 2026 Average increase per year

Ōrākei North 6,200 6,620 0.78% Ōrākei South 3,760 3,950 0.46% Meadowbank North 7,130 7,720 0.87% Remuera West 3,700 3,940 0.71%

Specific changes to the population within the wider Ōrākei Local Board area have been well supported by a number of other sources of information and continue to support the key trends described above in terms of age group and ethnicity changes. The New Zealand Herald predicts that there will continue to be steady increases in European and Asian populations in the Ōrākei Local Board area – but limited change in Maori and Pacific Island populations (How Your Neighbourhood will Change by 2039, NZ Herald Insights).

In terms of age groups, the population aged between 0 and 14 years is expected to increase by 5.2% between 2006 and 2031) with an even more significant increase in the population aged 65+ of 102.8% (Auckland’s Demographic Futures, Alison Read, RIMU 2011).

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Charles Crothers at the School of Science and Social Policy, AUT reported that the population of the Ōrākei Local Board area is likely to increase to between 114,100 and 118,500 by 2048.

5.4.1 Housing impacts

There are a number of proposed housing related developments that are also likely to impact on population size:

• Proposed retirement villages (e.g. Summerset’s proposed St John’s Development) • The special housing area at 6-14 Meadowbank Road (45+ apartments) • Ōrākei Bay Village proposed apartment complex.

In summary, the available information (historical and projected) suggests that there will continue to be demand for community facilities within the wider Ōrākei Local Board area (and in Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei specifically) with increases in population size over the next 20 to 30 years. Increases in the population aged 65+ also has implications for community facilities, especially given that many of the current users of community facilities are already in an older age segment (50+). The current demographic profile of both users (and also residents within the area) along with demographic trends clearly indicates not only an ongoing need but also increasing future demand. This is based on aging population trends, and increases in younger populations/families (described above) – both of which make up the bulk of current community centre users and seem likely to continue to be so in the future.

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6: Meadowbank Community Centre

6.1 Summary of key findings, and considerations

1. The Meadowbank Community Centre is a well-used Centre – and is booked most mornings, evenings and weekends. The population for the wider Ōrākei Local Board area is forecast to steadily increase in the future (see Population estimates and projections for the Ōrākei Local Board Area, Auckland, New Zealand 1998-2043, Figure.NZ) which suggests that demand for community facilities will increase. The Meadowbank Community Centre is already well utilised and there are few other local community facilities in this catchment (either Council or non-Council owned).

2. Feedback regarding the Centre’s weaknesses has been well documented and consistent over a number of years – this has been further reinforced in this current project – the Centre is run down, has capacity issues and functional problems (toilets, storage and parking).

3. The room sizes at the Centre have been identified as a key weakness by Centre staff, programme providers and users of the Centre – including through in-depth interviews and the community survey. The rooms offer no flexibility and current users have provided feedback that the Centre and some activities are crowded. There are also some safety concerns especially with the ease of exit for older Centre users where a room is set up with seating.

4. Key feedback regarding room sizes is that more flexible spaces are required (with an overall capacity of between 80-100 people) – able to be partitioned off into two separate, smaller spaces.

5. It seems unlikely that a larger space would be required (100 + capacity) – there are other facilities in the local area offering larger spaces (such as St Chads, St Heliers Community Centre). Furthermore, the need for larger spaces is not (presently) significant and tends to be for one-off use and/or private functions such as birthday parties. Birthday parties and other private events are not core community needs – they are not open to the public and other sites are also available.

6. The Manager and centre users report that the outside area (at the back of the Centre) is highly valued – particularly the children’s playground for birthday and other family parties. The Manager did report however the space allocated to the garden could potentially be reduced.

7. There are limited other community venue options in the Meadowbank area – fewer than are available in either Remuera or Ōrākei.

8. A redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre could potentially cater to the activities currently available at Tahapa Crescent Hall – if consideration was given to a sprung floor option. The nearest sprung floor facility is the St Heliers Church and Community Centre. Tahapa Crescent Hall is discussed in more detail in Section Five of this report but is currently not being maximised from a utilisation perspective given that only one of the two spaces at Tahapa Crescent Hall can be used at a time. Given the limited community facilities in the Meadowbank area, relative to demand, Tahapa Crescent Hall is underperforming.

9. A redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre could also potentially include space to accommodate a Plunket Clinic and waiting room. This is discussed in more detail in Section Six of this report. Plunket have

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expressed a willingness to consider a range of options including a superclinic (combining Meadowbank and Remuera) and ‘pack in pack out’ venue options (i.e. non dedicated spaces).

Please see Appendix C, Table 6 for a description of the functional requirements of a redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre, and Appendix C, Table 6a for a description of the functional requirements of a Plunket superclinic.

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6.2 Background and Context

The Meadowbank Community Centre has been the focus of a number of previous investigations and assessments. The results of two key previous studies are presented in the Meadowbank Community Centre Redevelopment Report – Creative Development Solution 2011 (Strachan Group Architects Limited), and Meadowbank Community Needs Assessment 2015. The Meadowbank Community Centre Redevelopment Report 2011 also referenced a number of earlier studies: Design Environments Status Report (2010); Eclipse Ground Land Use Feasibility (2007); and SKM Traffic Analysis Report (2007).

The Ōrākei Local Board Plan also refers specifically to the fact that “upgrading the Meadowbank Community Centre has been requested by our community for a number of years as the facility is not fit for purpose”. This lack of ‘fitness for purpose’ is expressed in both of the abovementioned reports (between 2011 and 2015 feedback was largely unchanged), and in addition the Meadowbank Community Centre ranked lowest in terms of overall satisfaction across all Auckland Council community centres in a study carried out in 2010 (Auckland City Council Community Centres Research: Meadowbank Report, Ben Parsons and Associates). The current project has not found any significant differences to those identified in these earlier studies.

The Meadowbank Community Needs Assessment 2015 outlined the strategic context for the redevelopment of community centres, provided a demographic analysis of the Meadowbank population (comparing data from 2006 to 2013) and reiterated the key findings from the 2011 report, that “the identified drawbacks of the community centre are that it lacks larger rooms capable of catering for recreational use, the building is uninsulated, has a poor layout and the lack of storage is an issue”.

The earlier Meadowbank Community Centre Development Report 2011 was more specific about the functionality of the centre and reported that:

• The Meadowbank Community Centre is a key facility in the local community, but that it is now at capacity – despite the building having been modified over the years to cope with demand and growth • Despite these modifications the centre is no longer meeting the needs of staff and current users, or appealing to new users • Key weaknesses of the facility are that it has low visibility, a limited presence in the Meadowbank area, it is set back from the road and difficult to see, there is a lack of storage space, the entry is unclear and confusing, internal spaces are disjointed and inefficient and there is limited flexibility in hire spaces • A key issue is a lack of space available for larger groups.

A range of development options were outlined for the centre, with the recommended option (at the time) being a development proposal for a new community centre “which looks to utilise the site to its fullest potential and provide a facility which will not only serve the current users but encourage new users and accommodate future growth. This facility will be easily identifiable, with a presence in the urban environment and be a focal point for community activity”. This option was identified as offering “a long term vision and the opportunity to rectify all of the problems with the existing facility and site, maximising its potential” and “… providing a strengthened legacy for the community of Meadowbank, in line with Auckland Council’s ‘strong and healthy communities strategy”.

6.3 The current context

There have been no changes in the weaknesses of the Meadowbank Community Centre identified in any of the earlier reports into this facility.

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6.3.1 Services, activities, programmes and venue hire

The Meadowbank Community Centre continues to be well used for a range of community education activities, as well as offering a childcare service. The individual utilisation rates are between 14% and 36% for the weeks of 1 May and 15 May 2017. Peak time utilisation is between 18% and 45% depending on the room.

Note that for the purposes of this study, the childcare function offered at the Meadowbank Community Centre was excluded – although an analysis of this service and other childcare services offered in the local area was conducted as part of the 2015 Needs Assessment. It concluded that there were 111 vacancies within the existing Early Childhood Centres (ECEs) as of early December 2015 and that the market is responding to ECE need.

The current range of activities and programmes undertaken at the Meadowbank Community Centre includes:

Meetings/Services: General Activities: Physical Activities: Probus Majong and Scrabble Easy Exercise Alcoholics Anonymous Social Majong Tai Chi Justice of the Peace Scrabble Club Dancercise – Zumba Gold Defensive Driving Conversational English Pilates School holiday programmes Chatter Patches Yoga Before and after school care Language classes – French, Italian Parents Centre Movement and St Johns Youth Art classes Expression Church services Social Bridge Parents Centre Antenatal Japanese Swordmanship Parents Centre Baby/Baby and You U3A Bridge Weight Loss Children’s Chinese classes

In addition, the facility offers business services including photocopying, laminating and document binding. Rooms in the facility are also able to be hired on an ad hoc basis for meetings and other activities, including private functions such as children’s birthday parties.

There are three rooms/spaces available for hire, along with an outdoor area, which includes a playground. The maximum capacity for room hire varies depending on the type and layout of furniture required, however the maximum number of people that can be accommodated is:

• Meeting Room 1 (MR1) – 50 people, seated (in rows) • Meeting Room 2 (MR2) – 40 people seated (in rows) • Meeting Room 3 (MR3) – 16 people classroom style.

The number of people able to be catered for decreases from this number if other layout styles are required.

6.3.2 Facility weaknesses

As already mentioned, the current facility weaknesses are consistent with those identified in earlier studies and centre around three key themes: capacity, health and safety and functionality. Based on interviews with the Meadowbank Community Centre Manager and facility users as part of this study, the key issues are as follows:

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Capacity-related issues

• The Meadowbank Community Centre is currently very well utilised (this is well supported by the range and number of activities listed on the Centre website and in the most recent newsletter). The Centre has many standing bookings, which can mean that potential hirers are turned away. The Centre Manager reports that groups are “turned away on a daily basis”. She also reported that since September 2016, there have been a number of children’s birthday parties inside and/or outside at the Centre (although these are not core community services). Many of the groups that are turned away however tend to be ad hoc or one-off bookings (including private events) rather than potential future standing bookings, although it is reportedly well known that the Meadowbank Community Centre is well-utilised and this may impact on the number of requests made. The lowest usage times are Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Note that these were also identified as low peak times at other facilities explored as part of this project.

Health and safety issues

• There are potentially some health and safety issues with current bookings. For example Probus meetings are full (the room is at capacity), with only one narrow corridor between chairs for entrance and exit. Probus utilise St Chads when large meeting spaces are required.

• The Centre is generally run-down and is in need of refurbishment. The Manager reports that there is a health and safety issue in the form of a mold problem particularly in and around the area adjacent to the Centre offices (one of the Centre’s entrance areas). Current users also report problems with mold and associated odours.

Functionality issues

• There are not enough toilet facilities to adequately cater for the number of Centre users, and there are often queues of people waiting to use these facilities.

• There are inadequate storage facilities at the Centre. There are many items (including rolls of toilet paper, boxes etc.), which are stored openly throughout the Centre and predominately in staff offices, the entrance adjacent to staff offices and the kitchen areas. The Centre currently rents a separate storage facility at Storage King, three kilometres away from the site. The lack of storage is also considered difficult for some programme providers who are required to remove all of their items/props from the site each time they run an activity. Programme providers at St Chads (directly across the road) report that it is significantly more convenient to be able to pack up their items and store them in the basement storage area provided there.

• There is a shortage of parking at and around the Meadowbank Community Centre. There are limited car parks available at the Centre itself and the parking area is small and can be difficult to maneouver. On-street parking is either short-term only and/or is full much of the time. Some facility users use the carpark at the shopping centre next door.

• There is no commercial kitchen available (note however that there is a commercial kitchen available at Ōrākei Community Centre which the previous manager there reported was not used in this capacity). The Meadowbank Community Centre does not offer cooking classes because there is no commercial kitchen, but the Manager also reported that cooking classes are available via Selwyn College.

• Current rooms do not offer any flexibility in terms of size/configuration i.e. rooms cannot be separated into two for smaller groups of users – although current room sizes are already relatively small. If the site was to be redeveloped it has been suggested (in earlier reports) that new larger rooms could be designed with partitions to allow for large and smaller group use to maximise the flexibility of spaces.

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• The current layout and room size means that some groups cannot be catered for:

o Current room sizes mean that groups larger than 50 cannot be accommodated. While this has been well documented in previous studies it would appear that demand for very large spaces (at least on a regular basis) is not significant (groups of over 100 people). The Manager reported that they “do receive enquiries for larger groups, although not regularly”. Two examples of groups who were recently turned away from the Meadowbank Community Centre because of room size are: a Tai Kwon Do group who have since moved to the Meadowbank School Hall, and a local business who wanted a workshop style layout with 30 tables (none of the rooms at the Centre were large enough to accommodate this). Larger Probus and U3A meetings are held at the St Heliers Bay Church and Community Centre and at St Chads. The Meadowbank Community Centre Manager indicated that these groups could utilise the Centre instead if there was a large room space available that could cater for between 80-100 people.

o The facility cannot cater to dance groups who require a wooden, sprung floor – although we note that Tahapa Crescent Hall (which has a wooden sprung floor) is available and is currently used by dance groups. In this respect, Tahapa Crescent Hall also appears to have the capacity for increased usage by dance groups (depending on the time of day required). We note however that a previous ballroom dancing programme provider moved from Tahapa Crescent Hall because the ceilings were considered to be too low. There is also a fully equipped dance studio available for hire at the St Heliers Bay Community Centre at Te Oro in Glen Innes and a hall with a sprung floor at St Aidans in Remuera. Other Remuera church halls may also be appropriate for some dancing activities. Te Oro is a purpose built performing arts space with a number of rooms available for hire. It has a sprung floor and capacity in other rooms for between 80 and 155 people.

o Larger exercise classes, requiring more floor space cannot be catered for (yoga, pilates etc.). We note however that through this study we have not found any significant evidence to suggest that existing (or previous) classes offered at the Centre have had to turn potential participants away or that groups have moved to alternative venues because they have increased in size. Two participants in the community feedback survey however reported that the space at the Centre was too small for their activities. Meadowbank is continuing to show increases in population size – and with further infill housing and apartment developments it seems likely that the demand for community activities (such as those run at the Centre) will increase.

6.4 Alternative facilities in the Meadowbank area for community use

There are only a small number of alternative venues able to be used by the community in the (nearby) Meadowbank area – this is fewer than in the other areas explored as part of this study – Remuera and Ōrākei. The main other venues are:

1. St Chads (directly across the road) 2. Tahapa Crescent Hall and 3. Meadowbank School Hall.

Other local schools (for example, Mt Carmel School and St Kentigern Girls School) do not have ‘venue for hire’ options. There are no other halls available for hire in the Meadowbank area. Te Oro in Glen Innes is a nearby performing arts venue with multiple venue hire options, including for dancing activities requiring a sprung floor. It is not in the Meadowbank catchment area however.

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The Meadowbank Needs Assessment carried out in 2015 identified three alternative venues in ‘the catchment’, but these were all in the Ōrākei area (Selwyn College, St Josephs School Ōrākei, Ōrākei Community Centre) and are not within 15-minute walk for the Meadowbank Community Centre’s core catchment area. The distance between Meadowbank and Ōrākei Community Centres/Selwyn College/St Josephs School is approximately 5 kilometres or 8 minutes’ drive time. Also just over 5 km away is the St Heliers Bay Church and Community Centre (this centre is discussed below).

Tahapa Crescent Hall is discussed in more detail in Section Five of this report. The other facilities are discussed below.

Meadowbank School Hall

The Meadowbank School Hall is available for hire and can accommodate up to 250 people. The hall is not available to be booked during the day (term time) and is generally booked to capacity the rest of the time. There are standing bookings every weeknight and during the day on Saturdays and Sundays. Activities on offer here include: Zumba, Tai Kwon Do (turned away from Meadowbank Community Centre because of room size), Little Kickers (football for kids), dance classes (for seven weeks over winter) and French lessons. The school reports that they receive enquires for bookings on a regular basis but that these are mainly for ad hoc bookings and are often private functions rather than community activities, programmes or events. Only one large group has been turned away recently and that was for a large one-off Tai Kwon Do session.

St Chads

St Chads has an agreement with Council for community use of three community spaces for hire, a large basement area (with storage also downstairs), a seminar room and a small meeting room. St Chads currently rents their facility to a wide range of groups including:

Meetings/Services: General Activities and Private Physical Activities: Functions: U3A (for large meetings) A playgroup The Selwyn Centre – senior exercise Porse Guides Ōrākei Local Board monthly A Korean Choir (one-off booking) meetings Mainly Music (for which there is always a The Brain Wave Trust (a waiting list) one-off booking for 200) Au Pair Link The Space NZ Trust for Toy Library parents and first time A Messianic Jewish group (all day, every mothers Saturday) A food bank St Heliers Floral Art Birthday parties – approximately 12 per year Weddings – have only had 4 Birthday parties (up to 100 people) Bach Musica (three times a year) for rehearsals. They have a full orchestra and the facility cannot rent out any other space while they are practising because of the noise

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The maximum group size able to be catered for by St Chads is 200 (the Conference Room/main foyer area). The smaller meeting rooms can cater for between 20 and 30 people but are also rented out to smaller groups. The basement room can cater for 80 people. There is also a very small meeting room, which is sometimes used for counselling services. They estimate that on a typical week, up to 500 people use this facility. Peak times are weekday mornings (usually the large Conference Room – but not always for large groups.

St Chads will not accept bookings for groups offering yoga, any form of martial arts or any other spirituality/religious group (other than the Messianic Jewish group listed above). These groups are referred to the Meadowbank Community Centre.

St Chads report that they often receive enquiries from dancing groups (who require a wooden floor) and groups requiring a piano. They are not able to cater for either of these because all floors are carpeted and they have no piano (although both of these are available at the St Heliers Bay Community Centre and at Te Oro). They report that they would have difficulty accommodating someone wanting to run a two-day conference or event, but that they get very few enquiries.

Local youth ‘unofficially’ use the outside space as a skateboard ramp most nights. The Manager of the Meadowbank Community Centre said that skateboard ramps used to be available in the Centre carpark but they were regularly stolen and there used to be a number of complaints made.

St Heliers Bay Church and Community Centre

The St Heliers Bay Church and Community Centre is another significant community facility in the wider Ōrākei Local Board area and has been included here because it offers a wide range of spaces for hire (including a dance studio) and can cater for up to 190 people. The following rooms are available at the St Heliers Bay Church and Community Centre: o Church auditorium - seating 190 people o Centennial Hall - 175 people o Johnston Hall - 100 people - fully equipped dance studio o Lounge and coffee/ conversation hall - 100 people, seats o Outdoor deck and BBQ setting – 50 people o Indoor sheltered courtyard - 20 people o Bay Room -cafe style set up (mini seminars) - 40 people o Full catering kitchen; 2 new and up- to -date service kitchens; extra mini kitchen o Library/ chapel (with piano) - 20 people o 2 Smaller Meeting/Function rooms -one specifically for music

The Minister at the St Heliers Bay Church reports that people who use the Community Centre facility come from right across the Ōrākei Local Board area, including Meadowbank and Remuera. A very wide range of activities is available here.

6.5 Community Feedback

Community feedback regarding the Meadowbank Community Centre and the provision of community facilities in the Meadowbank area was invited via participation in the community survey, in-depth interviews with residents (users and non-users of community facilities) and key community stakeholder interviews. Please see Section Three of this report for a full description of the project approach.

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6.5.1 Key findings

As with all of the sites explored as part of this project, there is some degree of cross-boundary patronage of the Meadowbank Community Centre (outside of the 15 minute walking catchment). Within the wider Ōrākei Local Board area current and previous users of the Meadowbank Community Centre include Ōrākei residents (15%), Remuera residents (24%) and 20% from a mix of Kohimarama, St Johns, Epsom, Newmarket, Ellerslie, Mission Bay, Stonefields and Glendowie.

Feedback regarding the types of people who use the Meadowbank Community Centre (and the other facilities in the local area) is consistent with the findings in earlier reports. The Centre is well used by families with young children (particularly in terms of the childcare, afterschool services and holiday programmes) and by older residents – but less so by youth and by people aged in their 20s, 30s and 40s (who may be in full-time employment outside of the home). Nineteen percent of the Meadowbank North and South population were aged under 15 years (as at the 2013 census). Please see Appendix C, Table 7 for usage of the Meadowbank Community Centre.

Feedback from non-users of the centre in these age groups indicates that:

• They are time-poor and are unable to access the activities and services offered by the Meadowbank Community Centre (and the other facilities in the local area) • They prefer to access services and facilities that are closer to their place of work (gyms, other physical activities) • They prefer other ‘social’ activities with friends and/or family members.

The Manager of the Meadowbank Community Centre has previously attempted to engage non-users by offering evening classes, but reported that the uptake was very low. Attempts have also been made to engage with youth, but most stakeholders and residents interviewed as part of this project acknowledge that youth engagement is a challenge. There was general agreement that there is a wide range of sporting activities available to youth in the Meadowbank and wider Ōrākei Local Board area. None of the non-users interviewed as part of this project identified facility-specific issues (such as room size, or the range of activities) as barriers to use.

The Centre Manager also previously sent a regular newsletter to 10,000 homes in the local area. Uptake as a result of the newsletter was very low and since the newsletter has been stopped there has been no decline in use of the Centre.

People in the catchment area who had not used the Meadowbank Community Centre in the last two years were asked why this was the case. Key themes here were:

• They used it for a specific service (e.g. child-related) but no longer need that service • They used it to undertake a specific course or programme that has now been completed • There are no activities there that appeal • They are working full-time and don’t have the time.

Two people specifically said that they would offer courses there but the space availability is not big enough for their needs. Both had wanted to offer physical activity classes and required a space that could comfortably accommodate between 20-30 people (with space allowed between individuals for movement).

People who had not used the Meadowbank Community Centre were asked how interested they would be in finding out more about it. We note that there are some residents of Remuera who expressed interest in finding out more about what is on offer at Centre.

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50% of Meadowbank residents are not interested – 25% are interested

56% of Remuera residents are not interested – 30% are interested

User satisfaction with the Meadowbank Community Centre is low overall – with the three lowest performing areas being to do with: activities being run at times that suit (38% satisfied or very satisfied), the ability to get into programmes (i.e. enough space) (38%) and the design of the rooms (39%). This is consistent with the findings in previous reports regarding the layout and functionality of the rooms (that internal spaces are disjointed and inefficient). Please see Appendix C, Table 8 for Meadowbank Community satisfaction across a range of attributes.

Examples of suggestions regarding the Meadowbank Community Centre generally fell into four categories:

1. The general condition of the Centre/the need for refurbishment 2. The size and capacity of the rooms and the Centre overall 3. The parking 4. A lack of advertising and promotion.

Comments regarding the size of the facility (number of rooms and room sizes) are consistent with the Centre Manager’s feedback about utilisation, as well as the information reported as part of earlier studies. Please see Appendix C, Table 9 for a full list of comments from the community feedback survey.

Despite low overall satisfaction scores and suggestions for change however, users of the Centre appear to value it as a community facility – with 66% saying that they would recommend the Centre to friends and family members. Please see Appendix C, Chart 1.

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People who said they intend to use the Meadowbank Community Centre less often than they currently do mainly commented that their circumstances had changed (back to work, children no longer needing the services). People who said they intend to use it more often mainly commented that they will have child-related activity needs in the future. Please see Appendix C, Chart 2.

People providing feedback via the community survey were asked how important community facilities (such as the four explored as part of this project) are to the community (whether they use community facilities or not). Results were generally consistent between users and non-users of the Meadowbank Community Centre – with most people of the view that community facilities such as these are important. Please see Appendix C, Table 10.

63% of Meadowbank residents overall agree that there is a good range of community facilities, activities, services and programmes in their local area. This figure represents users and non-users of community facilities. Please see Appendix C, Table 11.

6.5.2 Other activities of interest and the spatial/venue implications

All local residents who opted to provide feedback via the community survey were asked if there were specific types of activities, programmes and services they would like to have available in their local area, that are not currently available. Most people named activities, programmes and services that are in fact currently available (including at the Meadowbank Community Centre). Other than outdoor, commercial or sporting suggestions (swimming pool, bike tracks, 10 pin bowling), most of these currently are or are able to be catered for (if someone wanted to offer them) by the current size/spatial layout of the Meadowbank Community Centre and other (discussed above) facilities in the Meadowbank area. Please see Appendix C, Table 12.

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7: Tahapa Crescent Hall

7.1 Summary of key findings, and considerations

1. Tahapa Crescent Hall is currently reasonably well used as a community facility.

2. One of the key benefits of Tahapa Crescent Hall is that it has a sprung wooden floor and therefore can accommodate dancing activities. There are however other sprung floor options available in the wider area – at St Heliers Community Centre and Te Oro. St James at Ōrākei is also used for dancing activities (but this is outside the core catchment area). There may be an opportunity to consider a sprung floor option at the Meadowbank Community Centre if it is redeveloped.

3. The facility is considered to be in poor condition, have some security issues and limited parking. The facility also lacks a street presence and can be difficult to find.

4. There have been reported noise complaints from the pensioner housing tenants next door – it seems likely that a redeveloped site with larger capacity may result in more complaints.

5. The utilization of this facility is unable to be maximised as a community facility – even though it has two rooms, only one room at a time is able to be used. Given the limited community facility options in the Meadowbank area, Tahapa Crescent Hall is underperforming.

6. Given its current usage constraints, consideration could be given as to whether current activities can be undertaken at a redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre rather than redeveloping this facility.

7.2 Current Context

Tahapa Crescent Hall is located approximately 1.5 km from the Meadowbank Community Centre. The hall has polished wooden floors, floor to ceiling mirrors and ballet bars and capacity for 100 people. There are also kitchen facilities leading from the hall and a smaller ‘lounge’ area off the main hall.

The main advantage of Tahapa Crescent Hall and the key local needs gap that it is filling, is the ability to offer dance classes there – it has a sprung wooden floor, floor to ceiling mirrors and a ballet bar. There is no other dance space available (of this nature) at any other council-owned facility in the Ōrākei Local Board area. As identified in Section Four however, there is a full dance studio available at the St Heliers Community Centre, at Te Oro in Glen Innes and a small number of private dance studios in the wider area. Dancing is also appropriate for some school halls and churches in the wider Ōrākei Local Board area.

7.2.1 Services, activities, programmes and venue hire

Tahapa Crescent Hall is mainly booked on weekday mornings and some weekday evenings. The utilisation rate for the weeks of 1 May and 15 May 2017 was 29%, with peak time utilisation of 30%. There is a standing booking on Sunday, and Saturdays are sometimes booked for private functions (weddings and birthday parties which are not core community activities). The current range of activities and programmes is limited and includes the following.

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Activities: Plunket Playgroup Strengthening, Stretching and Stillness Strengthening classes Cardio Stretching and Strengthening Dancercise – Zumba Gold

7.2.2 Facility weaknesses

• As with all of the other facilities explored as part of this needs assessment, Tahapa Crescent Hall is also run- down and in need of refurbishment.

• The key weakness of Tahapa Crescent Hall (from a facilities provision perspective) is that even though there are two separate (but adjoining) spaces, only one group at a time can use this facility. This is because users of the smaller ‘lounge’ area need to travel through the main hall in order to access the kitchen and toilet facilities. For this reason Tahapa Crescent Hall is not able to maximise its community facility potential and is therefore underperforming.

• The hall lacks street presence/road frontage and can be hard to find.

• There are some ‘reported’ safety concerns (the Meadowbank Community Centre Manager reported safety- related feedback) because of Tahapa Crescent Hall’s location at the end of a right of way. This is particularly the case for evening activities.

• It has also been reported that there have been noise complaints from the tenants in the pensioner housing next door

• It was reported that one ballroom dancing group no longer use Tahapa Crescent Hall because the roof was considered to be too low. We were unable to find out where this ballroom dancing group moved to – but there is a ballroom dancing group who currently use the hall at St James Church Ōrākei (this may be the same group).

7.3 Alternative facilities for community use

The alternative venues able to be used by the community in the (nearby) Meadowbank area are the same as those identified and discussed in Section Four of this report:

1. St Chads 2. The Meadowbank Community Centre and 3. Meadowbank School Hall.

7.4 Community Feedback

Community feedback regarding Tahapa Crescent Hall and the provision of community facilities in the Meadowbank area was invited via participation in the community survey, in-depth interviews with residents (users and non- users of community facilities) and key stakeholder interviews.

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7.4.1 Key findings

Just under 50% of current users of Tahapa Crescent Hall are satisfied with Tahapa Crescent Hall as a community facility. Please see Appendix D, Chart 3.

Most of the open ended feedback from users of Tahapa Crescent Hall reinforces that there are problems with Tahapa Hall, including it being run-down and in need of refurbishment. Please see Appendix D, Table 13 for a full list of comments.

Participant feedback suggests that the extent of use of Tahapa Crescent Hall in the future is unlikely to change although a high proportion of people were unsure. Please see Appendix D, Chart 4.

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8: 4 Victoria Avenue, Remuera

8.1 Summary of key findings, and considerations

1. The current tenants at 4 Victoria Avenue have expressed dissatisfaction with this facility – including concerns regarding the structure of the building. Users of this facility have also provided negative feedback regarding room size, privacy and the general state of the building.

2. Both tenants have expressed a willingness to consider an alternative site (despite a preference to remain in Remuera) – CAB has considered Ōrākei and Plunket are open to the concept of a shared (pack in pack out) space or a superclinic at a redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre.

3. 4 Victoria Avenue, like Tahapa Crescent Hall could be considered to be underperforming in terms of its availability for wider community use. At present half of the site is not used on a Monday or Friday or on weekends, and the site is not used significantly in the evenings (other than for CAB clinics – one once a week and one once a fortnight).

4. While there is no community centre in the Remuera area, there is a library, which is (at present) available for community use. The library has some limitations in terms of it being a community venue – it does not offer private rooms but is available as a community space for those who want to use it (i.e. for meetings, events, as a drop in space etc.). The other areas explored as part of this project (Meadowbank and Ōrākei) both have community centres, but neither has a library available for community use.

5. Remuera has more spaces available for use by the community than the other two areas (Meadowbank and Ōrākei) – and significantly more so than Meadowbank. Room spaces vary in size from small meeting rooms through to large halls with the capacity for more than 200 people. We do note however, that many of these spaces (including school and church facilities) are extremely well used.

6. There is a range of community activities available in Remuera (just as there are in the other two areas – Meadowbank and Ōrākei). The key difference in Remuera is that they are spread over many sites and may be more difficult for the local community to find out about.

7. The Remuera Residents Association expressed a desire for a community centre or hub in Remuera (via an in- depth interview, some of the community survey feedback and in person at their February Committee meeting). Expectations have been outlined in this report – however, testing of the viability of a community centre in Remuera was not part of the scope of this project.

8. One of the key needs identified by the Remuera Residents Association is for a community notice board. There is in fact one at the Remuera Library although it is often full. Consideration could be given to a redesigned noticeboard at this site (at least in the short-term).

Please see Appendix E, Table 14 for a description of the functional requirements of Plunket, and Appendix E, Table 15 for a description of the functional requirements of CAB.

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8.2 Overview and site description

The property at 4 Victoria Avenue is a single level property currently housing Remuera Plunket and the Remuera Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

Plunket currently utilise two rooms – one clinic and one waiting room, separated by a hallway. Off the waiting room there is also a small wooden deck for families waiting for the clinic.

The CAB has a small waiting area, partially partitioned off for the Justice of the Peace service, as well as three offices. One of the offices is used by two CAB staff, to answer phone calls, and to conduct non-private interviews with clients. One office is for the CAB Manager, and the third office is currently used by CABAC staff (there are up to three staff members using this office). The Manager’s office can only be accessed through either of the other two offices. The CABAC staff onsite are not a part of the Remuera CAB’s service offer (i.e. they have no client service function at this site).

CAB and Plunket share a kitchen and toilet facilities. There is also a small storage room adjacent to the kitchen, which is mainly used for pram parking. Feedback regarding this facility from each of the current tenants is outlined below. Both CAB and Plunket are happy with the toilet facilities available but neither make much use of the kitchen. Both CAB and Plunket have set up tea and coffee making stations in their own areas (CAB in the Manager’s office and Plunket in the waiting room).

8.3 The facility - overall feedback

Feedback from both tenants is that the building is run-down and (as with the other facilities discussed in this report) in need of refurbishment. Both tenants reported that the building has a problem with damp and for this reason smells musty. Both tenants also raised concerns regarding the structural integrity of the building, for example, that it is not earthquake safe and CAB in particular noted that the building can shake when a bus idles outside.

Plunket said that their minimum requirement from a safe structure perspective is an Initial Evaluation Process (IEP) rating of over 70%. There are some concerns that the current building does not meet this standard and that there are some severe signs of the foundation having issues.

CAB reported that they have explored (in a minor way) Ōrākei Community Centre as an alternative location. They raised concerns however with the current state of the Ōrākei Community Centre in that it is ‘tired’ and in need of refurbishment. Another key concern raised with respect to the Ōrākei Community Centre was to do with possible security concerns given that the CAB needs to be open and accessible for its clients all day. The Remuera CAB (as with other CABs) also run evening clinics/workshops (for which a facility would need to be open/accessible). Remuera CAB reported (unprompted) that their preference would be to be located within Eastridge Mall (if they were to move to Ōrākei) because of the foot traffic, which they would not have at the Ōrākei Community Centre location. They raised concerns about a relocation to Meadowbank (i.e. to a possibly refurbished/redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre) because of the proximity of other CABs (at Glen Innes, and Panmure-Ellerslie).

Plunket said that they have not explored any alternative spaces but were under the impression they would need to relocate within the next two years.

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8.4 Remuera Plunket - overview

Other than their concerns about the building itself, Plunket are happy overall with the current layout and room sizes they have available to them at 4 Victoria Avenue – one waiting room and one clinic. The size of the waiting room means that they are able to cater comfortably for families waiting for clinics, which increasingly includes new migrant extended families.

Plunket clinics currently run at Remuera on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – with some infrequent overflow on Fridays. Plunket rarely uses this facility on a Monday and never after 4.30pm weekdays or on the weekend. These rooms are not sublet at these times other than occasionally to CAB (at no charge) for after-hours clinics/workshops. At present it is not possible for the clinic room to be sublet because of the personal client files and equipment that is stored there (there are not enough lockable storage spaces available for these items).

Remuera Plunket also used to run playgroups and coffee groups at 4 Victoria Avenue but these are now held at St Pauls in St Vincent Avenue. Plunket reported that the venue was changed for these groups because they were having difficulty organising volunteers for 4 Victoria Avenue, and not because of any site-specific issues. Plunket appear to be satisfied with the St Pauls venue for these.

8.4.1 Remuera Plunket - facility preferences

Plunket’s preference is for a dedicated space within a facility, which includes a waiting room and a clinic. They report that their minimum size requirement for a clinic would be 15 square metres (in addition to the waiting room space). Their preference for a dedicated space is for privacy and security reasons (but this is in the context that the current facility provides no safe storage for clients’ private files or for the valuable equipment used during the clinics). Plunket report that their ‘ideal’ facility scenario would be to be part of a mixed-use ‘health’ space, which would include other medical professionals such as a doctor’s surgery, labtests and so forth.

However, they are open to a range of different other scenarios including:

1. A pack in, pack out space

Plunket are open to the concept of a non-dedicated space - what they refer to as a “pack in, pack out” space (i.e. a space used by other groups/organisations at other times). Plunket report that a number of their other services are already run as “pack in, pack out” services. A key requirement here however would be that:

• There are safe, secure storage areas available

• Other users of the space are respectful about they way they leave the rooms after use. Plunket raised a concern about their nurses having to clean up after other users as well as having to set up for their own clinics.

2. Superclinics

Plunket also report being “absolutely” open to combining existing Plunket services (they refer to these as ‘Superclinics’) – in this case Meadowbank and Remuera as part of a larger facility such as at a redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre. Note that the current Plunket Meadowbank site would not be large enough. Plunket indicated that the concept of super clinics of this nature are a distinct possibility moving forward. Plunket

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also reported that the number of young families in Remuera has “not grown as much as they had expected”, and that many of the young families they see are renting and can be transient.

3. Remaining within a ‘community component’ space at a re-developed 4 Victoria Avenue

Plunket were unsure regarding any future development plans for 4 Victoria Avenue but said (unprompted) that if the site was sold and redeveloped with community rooms included, that they would be prepared to move out on a temporary basis while the redevelopment took place provided they had some certainly about being able to move back in. Plunket’s key concern at present is a lack of certainty about their future location. With more certainty, in the short to medium term they are prepared to be highly flexible.

Plunket reported that their model of delivery has been and is changing – with more mobile hubs, mobile home visits and spaces in commercial buildings such as shopping malls (Plunket currently operate a clinic within the Sylvia Park shopping centre).

Other key facility preferences are to have:

• A sound proof clinic room for private conversations (if the clinic was adjoined to other rooms)

• A larger outdoor space than the deck space currently available at 4 Victoria Avenue – which could include a larger play area for waiting children and a sandpit

• A lighter, airier space than the space they currently have at 4 Victoria Avenue – with natural sunlight. The current clinic room does not get any sun (at any time of the year) and Plunket have had to install a heat-pump for drying the air and for heating in the winter

• Five dedicated carparks available - two for staff and three for clients. The parking at 4 Victoria Avenue is problematic and clients often have to look for an on-street park (which are hard to find) or to park in the shoppers carpark next door. Parking is considered extremely important for parents who often have more than one child with them, as well as prams and other items.

8.5 Remuera CAB – overview

The current facility is not considered optimal by the Remuera CAB. CAB has been in Remuera since 1977 and at the 4 Victoria Avenue site since 1997. The other closest CABs are in Glen Innes and Panmure-Ellerslie. As discussed above, the CAB Manager feels that a move to Meadowbank would mean there would be too many CABs clustered together, but that they have (at least) considered a relocation to Ōrākei. Their preference would be to stay in Remuera because they are well known at this site and it is relatively easy for them to get local volunteers. However, the Remuera CAB also reports that their clients travel from Epsom, Newmarket and Greenlane. Every CAB can also get phone enquiries from all over New Zealand – with the 0800 diverting to the next available CAB. The Remuera CAB is open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

The Remuera CAB also runs legal clinics (once a week) in the evenings, which are usually attended by local people (across the Local Board area) and a family support clinic (once every two weeks). The family support clinic also caters to people from Glen Innes because no family support clinics are offered in that area. They have offered a budgeting clinic in the past but this was not considered core for Remuera because Glen Innes CAB and Tumanako House at the Ōrākei Marae also run these. They are however considering offering tenancy clinics in the future because tenancy-related issues are becoming an increasing issue in the wider area (with increasing intensification, shared driveways and so forth).

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Remuera CAB has three types of services: (1) a core service with interviewers on site, offering one-on-one advice, (2) clinics (as described above) and (3) a quick referral service. The quick referral service includes the Justice of the Peace service and answering simple queries such as “where’s the nearest bus stop”. In an average quarter there are around 1200 walk-ins including quick referrals out of a total of 2300 enquiries (walk-in and telephone). In the last quarter (October to December 2016) there were 900 core service (longer) enquiries.

Overview of average CAB usage

Total: 2300 enquiries in an average quarter

1200 walk-in enquiries 1100 phone enquiries

Of these (across walk-in and phone):

• 900 are core enquiries • 1400 are non-core (quick referral, JP service etc.)

Other than the general building issues discussed earlier, the main issue for the Remuera CAB is that the site lacks any private meeting space if a client has a sensitive issue to discuss. The CAB Manager estimates that this is critical several times a week but that a dedicated private space available every day would be ideal. At present if a private space is required, the Manager has to vacate her office.

8.5.1 Remuera CAB - facility preferences

Remuera CAB would prefer to remain in Remuera but they have indicated a willingness to consider an alternative location such as Ōrākei. Their preferences would be for:

• A suite of rooms including a dedicated private meeting space – preferably with a hallway for office access, rather than adjoining rooms

• Street frontage for walk-in visibility (or a location in a high traffic area – they provided Eastridge Mall as an example here)

• Their own entrance for after-hours clinics (although this may prove problematic in a mall context)

The Remuera CAB has previously prepared indicative requirements for facilities which they provided to us as part of this project.

8.6 Alternative facilities in the Remuera area for community use

There is a range of other facilities in the Remuera area available for community use – these include schools and churches, as well as the Remuera Library. Two years ago the Remuera Residents Association undertook an assessment of the facilities available in the area and provided a list of these as part of this project.

In summary there are facilities available to be used by the community at:

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• Six local schools • Six local churches • Three local clubs and associations • The Remuera Library.

There is no Council-owned community centre in Remuera. The nearest community centre is the Meadowbank Community Centre (at a distance of 2.9km from the top of Victoria Avenue). The community facilities available in Remuera are the Remuera Library and 4 Victoria Avenue (although only two services are offered here rather than it being a community facility per se).

The following table provides an (updated) summary of the list of facilities provided by the Remuera Residents Association.

Table 5: List of facilities available for hire/use in Remuera

Facility Venue options

Council-owned

Remuera Library Can cater for up to 120 people comfortably (but they only have chairs available for 80-90 people). Please see below. 4 Victoria Avenue Only available to be used by clients of Remuera Plunket and the Plunket CAB (other than toilet facilities which are available to the wider Remuera community). There are no community spaces available for hire here Schools

Victoria Primary They have a school hall and a selection of classrooms available for community use. The School hall can seat up to 300 people and the classrooms approximately 40. They have a number of standing bookings, which can mean that weekday nights are fully booked – there is availability on weekends for one-off bookings. Standing bookings include activities such as yoga, tai chi etc. Remuera Primary They have a school hall that can accommodate up to around 200 people. The hall has School recently had a new floor so they are more selective about who they will rent it out to. Most community activities are OK (yoga, tai chi etc.) but private functions are not. Weekday evenings and school holiday days are busy – but school holiday evenings and weekends are generally available. Some weekday evenings have gaps. Remuera Hall with stage 200+ Intermediate Kings School Hall with stage 200+ St Kentigern School Hall with stage 200+ (Shore Road) Baradene Hall with stage 200+ Churches

St Pauls Meeting Hall (100-200), Meeting room (50-80), Meeting room (10-30) St Lukes Meeting Hall (100-200), Meeting room (10-30) Please see below St Aidens Hall with stage 200+, Meeting room (50-80), Meeting room (10-30). Includes a sprung wooden floor. Offers: Association of Anglican Women, Ace Tae Kwondo, AA, Auckland

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Dancing Fans Group, Beau Regard Social Club, Fitness League, Kiai Do Ryu Martial Arts Remuera, Mainly Music, NZ Wushu, Rhododendron Auckland, Rugby Tots, Weight Watchers Somervell Meeting Hall (100-200), Meeting room (50-80), Meeting room (10-30) St Marks Hall with stage 200+ (seated 100), Meeting room (10-30), music room Remuera Baptist Meeting room (10-30) Clubs and Associations

Remuera Bridge Club Hall with stage 200+, Meeting room x 2 (50-80), Remuera Bowling Two independent function areas seating 130-150 at tables upstairs (200 theatre style) and Club 120 at tables downstairs Commercial Hall with stage 200+, Meeting room (10-30) Travellers Club

Specific Facilities – additional discussion:

Remuera Library

The Remuera Library has no specific policy of renting out space to the community although they do describe themselves as a “space that is available for the Remuera Community”. They are very open to allowing the Remuera Community to use this space for community events and for community meetings (including the Remuera Residents Association meetings should this be of interest).

They have worked collaboratively on events for the Remuera Business Association, which have catered for up to 300 people. Note however that the Library Manager reported that 300 people was too many for the space but that the Library could cater comfortably for up to 120. They only have chairs available for 80-90 people however. The library space is always available for smaller groups during library hours and would be available for appropriate larger groups after hours. The space lends itself to meetings and talks but not physical activity. There are however no private spaces available for use at this library (any meetings or smaller events during the day, such as talks, need to be held in the main library space). The library already runs a range of activities for the local community including: a number of children’s activities, music and craft clubs, author’s talks, Remuera Heritage Group committee meetings and events, computer classes and book groups. The space is also used for private tutoring lessons and as a general drop in space.

If the space is required for a community event or function, a library staff member needs to be present to lock up afterwards.

The Library Manager suggested that the space could very easily (temporarily) accommodate a Justice of the Peace service if this service was required to move from the site at 4 Victoria Avenue. The Manager reported that they get daily enquiries at the library about the location of the Remuera JP service. The Manager sees the library as playing a role as a community centre/facility (beyond that of a library).

Community of St Luke

St Lukes is closer to the Newmarket end of Remuera Road but considers itself to have a catchment area which includes Remuera. They also cater to residents within the wider Ōrākei Local Board area (they estimate that approximately one third of their users come from Ōrākei and two thirds from other areas, including Ellerslie and Newmarket. They have a range of rooms available for hire:

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• The lounge, seating approximately 50-60 people • The activities room, approximately 15-20 • The courtyard room, approximately 50-60

The lounge and activities rooms can be opened up to form a large room accommodating approximately 90 people. The church, seating 250-300, can be used for such activities as drama and movement classes or large gatherings with a speaker, or for concerts and recitals. Three smaller counselling rooms could be available for client consultations or small meetings from 2 to 8 people.

The Centre is described as ‘pretty busy’ but with gaps between 4pm and 7pm most days. We note that most of the facilities explored as part of this project have similar usage timeframe gaps.

St Lukes report that while general venue hire will continue for the wider community, their own programme of events will be changing to focus on four core themes: (1) Progressive theology, (2) Interfaith understanding/getting to know other faiths, (3) Social justice (anti-violence, anti family violence) and (4) Music. This means that the following types of activities will no longer be part of the regular programme of activities at this site: lifestyle related (including: mother and baby for Mandarin speakers, special needs children’s playgroup, cooking) and heritage and environment (including: speakers on different subjects). St Lukes report however that venue hire will continue for those individuals/groups wanting to use this facility.

8.7 Community feedback

Community feedback regarding 4 Victoria Avenue and the provision of community facilities in the Remuera area was invited via participation in a community survey, in-depth interviews with residents (users and non-users of community facilities) and key stakeholder interviews.

8.7.1 Community feedback - the Remuera Residents Association

The Remuera Residents Association was invited to provide feedback as part of an in-depth interview with the Chair and via the community survey. All members of the Remuera Residents Association were emailed the community survey directly by the Association’s chair and actively encouraged to participate. There was also an invitation extended to Mobius to attend a meeting of the Remuera Residents Association Committee in order to further explore the Association’s views regarding community facility needs in the area. This offer was accepted. Key feedback from the Remuera Residents Association was as follows:

• The publicly owned community facilities in the Remuera area are: The Remuera Library and 4 Victoria Avenue (currently housing Remuera Plunket and the Remuera CAB)

• Other facilities available to the Remuera community (for meetings, events, functions etc.) are not Council- owned and include schools, churches and clubs and associations (please see the list of other venues above)

• There is no Council-owned community centre in Remuera

• A key need for Remuera identified by the Association is for a community ‘hub’ (in the form of a community centre) which would have meeting rooms able to be hired by the local community, spaces for the community to gather, spaces able to be used for art displays, and other events, a community noticeboard etc.

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• The Association also said that the area lacks open space/green space near the main shopping area – for use by workers and shoppers

• The key concern is that if the site at 4 Victoria Avenue is sold by Council, then that will mean that the only publicly owned community facility in Remuera will be the Remuera Library. However, it would appear that the 4 Victoria Avenue site (even if redeveloped) would not have the spatial capacity to cater for a community centre (as described here).

The Association does not consider the Meadowbank Community Centre or St Chads to be within the broad Remuera catchment area. While there are a range of other facilities available for hire in the Remuera area, the Association noted that these are mainly either school or church facilities and do not address the issue they raised regarding the need for a community ‘hub’.

At the committee meeting of the Remuera Residents Association, the following community needs were identified (as part of a possible community hub): Labtests, meeting rooms, display spaces/an art gallery, Plunket, public toilets, a central open space, kitchen facilities, CAB and JP services, parking, a playground, a toy library and a Community Constable.

8.7.2 Community survey feedback

The wider Remuera community were invited to provide feedback on community needs as part of the community survey. All feedback provided is reported below. The scope of this project did not include testing the viability of a community centre in Remuera.

Just over 50% of current users are satisfied with the 4 Victoria Avenue facility. Please see Appendix E, Chart 5.

As with the other facilities explored as part of this project, a relatively high proportion of people are unsure about their future use. Please see Appendix E, Chart 6.

All residents who provided feedback via the community survey were asked for any comments about the 4 Victoria Avenue. Most users are negative regarding this facility. Please see Appendix E, Table 16.

Residents were also asked for suggestions regarding the site. There were two types of feedback (1) upgrades to current site and service offerings and (2) incorporating additional community facilities. Please see Appendix E, Table 17.

People providing feedback via the community survey were asked how important community facilities (such as the four explored as part of this project) are to the community (whether they use community facilities or not). Results were generally consistent between users and non-users of 4 Victoria Avenue – with most people of the view that community facilities such as these are important. Please see Appendix E, Table 18.

Just over 50% of residents agree that there is a good range of community facilities, activities, service and programmes in the area. 20% disagree. Please see Appendix E, Table 19.

8.7.3 Other activities of interest and the spatial/venue implications

All local residents who opted to provide feedback via the community survey were asked if there were specific types of activities, programmes and services they would like to have available in their local area, that are not currently available. Many of these are already offered at a range of facilities within the Remuera area. This

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suggests that there may be an opportunity for better communication of the activities that are available to the local community – for example, one coordinated site to access information about activities at the range of community facilities in Remuera. Please see Appendix E, Table 20.

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9: Ōrākei Community Centre

9.1 Summary of key findings, and considerations

5. The Ōrākei Community Centre was described by the Manager as a busy, well-utilised Centre. However, this project has found limited evidence to suggest that groups/individuals are being turned away from the Centre because of a lack of capacity on a regular basis, and there is evidence to suggest that usage has decreased over the last two years. The most up-to-date statistics provided by the Ōrākei Community Centre show that for the 2015-16 year, the average booked usage hours was 360 per month and for the 2016-17 year the average booked usage hours was 281 per month. As we have already stated however, the population for the wider Ōrākei Local Board area is forecast to steadily increase in the future (see Population estimates and projections for the Ōrākei Local Board Area, Auckland, New Zealand 1998-2043, Figure.NZ) which suggests that demand for community facilities will increase. It seems likely that demand for the Ōrākei Community Centre will increase (or at least remain steady).

6. The refurbishment needs at the Ōrākei Community Centre are less urgent than those at the Meadowbank Community Centre and this should be taken into account in terms of timing and resource allocation decisions.

7. Installing a temporary moveable partition into the Main Hall so that this space can be used by more than one smaller group at the same time although, while increasing the flexibility of the Centre’s current offer, may prove difficult given the soundproofing that would be required. While there are other options available in the local area, current community spaces are limited.

8. In the medium term it seems likely that an additional room the size of the Community Room would be beneficial and it has been suggested that replacing the community garden could be a viable option (especially given the hygiene issues associated with this garden).

9. Ōrākei residents are less satisfied overall with the range of community facilities, activities, services and programmes in their area.

Please see Appendix F, Table 21 for a description of the functional requirements of a redeveloped Ōrākei Community Centre if pursued in the future.

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9.2 Background

The Ōrākei Community Centre is a single level building on Kepa Road, but set well back from the road with a reasonably large car parking area in front. The facility has a Manager’s office, a foyer area (which is also used for meetings), a main hall, a second room (the Community Room) and a small meeting room at the back (the Whanau Room). The small meeting room is used by some groups (including Selwyn College) but they are not charged for this. There is a community garden and an outside courtyard area as well as a full commercial kitchen. For fee- based hiring purposes, there are only two bookable spaces (the Main Hall and the Community Room). The groups that sometimes use the foyer area for meetings report that this is acceptable even though it does not offer a private space and is used as a thoroughfare to other parts of the centre. The Centre has ample bathroom facilities and a separate storage room able to be used by facility hirers.

There have been some security issues at the Ōrākei Community Centre, which have included thefts and menacing behaviour.

9.2.1 Services, activities, programmes and venue hire

The Ōrākei Community Centre is well used for a range of community education activities. The current range of activities and programmes undertaken at the Ōrākei Community Centre includes:

General Activities: Physical Activities: Drama Queens (for children) Move Smarter, Move Easier Pop Up Art Studio Fundamental Pilates Arts 4 Us Tagamalie Line Dance Patchwork and Quilting Mums and Bubs Boot Camp Young at Art Capoeira (Brazilian Martial Art) Meet ups to share spiritual interest Body Sculpt Pilates Ōrākei Community Garden Yoga: Stretch, Breath, Relax Cake Decorating Hatha Yoga Cooking and Friendship Dance 4 Everyone St Johns Youth Ōrākei Market

There are four spaces that can be used (with two of these being fee-earning bookable spaces):

• The foyer area – there are two couches here than can fit up to three people each and additional chairs can be added. People using this area for meetings do not appear to have any problems with it. It is also used for general social gatherings (including morning teas) and is in close proximity to the kitchen • A small meeting room at the back – used but not ‘rented’ – this space can accommodate around 10-15 people • The Main Hall – this space can accommodate 80 (dining layout) and 100 (standing or sitting) • The Community Room – this space can accommodate 25 (dining layout) and 40 (standing or sitting).

The facility is mainly used in the mornings and evenings. The Centre Manager reported that they have the capacity to take more bookings on weekday afternoons (between 1pm and 3.30pm) and on weekends. This is consistent with other community facilities explored as part of this project.

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9.2.2 Facility weaknesses

Based on interviews with the Ōrākei Community Centre Manager and facility users as part of this study, the key issues are as follows:

• As with the other facilities explored as part of this project, the Ōrākei Community Centre is described as ‘tired and in need of refurbishment”. Overall however, the Ōrākei Community Centre is in better condition than the Meadowbank Community Centre and does not have the structural issues of 4 Victoria Avenue.

• The key feedback regarding room size here is that the facility would benefit from another room the same size as the Community Room. Other than this room (which is well used) there are only small rooms (the foyer and the small meeting room) and one very large room (the Main Hall). When groups grow and become too large for the small meeting room, their options to switch rooms are very limited because of standing bookings in the other rooms. The Centre Manager reported that most groups are seeking a room the size of the Community Room. Smaller groups are using the Main Hall but this room can only accommodate one group at a time because there is no flexibility possible with this space e.g. it cannot be separated into two smaller rooms when required. A current user reported that this used to be possible but that the partition was removed (we have been unable to determine why this was the case). One ESL group left the Centre because of room size – they were initially in the small meeting room (the Whanau Room) and then the Community Room. When they grew larger the Centre did not have any available space for them.

• This facility cannot cater to dance groups because there is no wooden floor. The Manager reported that they do sometimes receive dance-related enquiries. We not however that dance groups are making use of the nearby St James Church and this space has further rental capacity.

• The community garden is reported as being problematic because it attracts rats and flies. The Manager suggested that a new room (the size of the Community Room) could replace the garden site. The Manager suggested that the community garden could be moved to Kepa Reserve once it is redeveloped.

• The Centre is set back off Kepa Road and has poor visibility and signage. There is also very limited foot traffic in the area.

• There was some feedback regarding opening up the space between the Community Centre and the Ōrākei Tennis Club, but the Tennis Club have expressed strong resistance to this because of ongoing security issues.

9.3 Alternative facilities in the Ōrākei area for community use

The following other facilities are available in Ōrākei for community use. This is more than is available in Meadowbank, but fewer than are available in Remuera.

1. Ōrākei Tennis Club 2. Selwyn College 3. St James Church 4. Ōrākei School 5. Ōrākei Marae

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St Josephs School in Ōrākei does not have space available to be used by the community. St Josephs Church did not participate in this project because of a change in leadership at the Church (the current Minister was about to retire).

The Ōrākei Tennis Club

The upstairs room at the Ōrākei Tennis Club is able to be hired by the community, but the Tennis Club report that this does not happen often. It is currently used for pilates classes (which they report moved from the Ōrākei Community Centre because of room hire price increases). The Ōrākei Tennis Club have no particular concerns regarding any future development of the Ōrākei Community Centre other than a strong desire to retain their fencing.

Selwyn College

Selwyn College is both a user of the Ōrākei Community Centre as well as being another local community facility. In terms of being a user of the Ōrākei Community Centre, Selwyn College currently use the Main Hall for yoga once a week, the Community Room once a week for art classes and the Whanau Room for ESL. They have also run ad hoc one-off courses there e.g. first aid. Selwyn College said that they would use the Ōrākei Community Centre if they were to introduce a new daytime class. Key issues they identified with respect to the Centre is that the Main Hall is too large for most of their activities. The Community Room offers the best size option for them.

They report never having had any difficulty booking this facility and have not had to use any other facility in the area other than St Chads once for a large community hui. Selwyn say that they like to be spontaneous and respond to community needs and that they are always able to “slot into” the Ōrākei Community Centre.

They did raise some concerns however regarding having to find alternative space if the Ōrākei Community Centre was closed for refurbishment.

From a community facility perspective, Selwyn College is at capacity during weekdays but has rooms available for rent in the evenings and on the weekends. Rooms include classrooms, studios and a theatre.

St James Church

The main hall at St James Church is available for community hire. The hall is rented out for activities such as ballroom dancing, toastmasters, pilates, yoga and meditation dance. The hall is used every morning and most evenings. As with the other facilities, it is rarely used in the afternoons. The church is actively seeking new bookings and had hoped to work with the Ōrākei Community Centre in this respect.

Ōrākei School

There is a hall available for hire at Ōrākei School, which has the capacity for approximately 200 children and 50 parents (so possibly 100 or more adults). Current activities in the hall include: a symphony orchestra, yoga, pilates, karate and afterschool care. The hall is fully booked most nights. The school has tennis courts, which are not open to the public and basketball courts. The basketball courts used to be open in the evening for local youth to use but after complaints from neighbours these are no longer available. There are soccer and rugby fields, which are used by local families after hours (for general outdoor recreation). The Principal of the school suggested that a skatepark would be a good idea for the Ōrākei area (but that this would need to be policed appropriately). The Principal reports that the role growth at the school has been significant and will increase further.

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The Ōrākei Marae

The Ōrākei Marae caters predominately for local Maori although is open for use by the wider Ōrākei community. Tumanako House at the Marae offers a range of community services (including social and health services and health promotion services such as growing your own food and using local species). The Marae also offers a range of other activities including Tai Chi, Tai Kwon Do, Kapa Haka and other cultural activities. There are also rooms available for hire by the community. The Marae reported that the main reason why local Maori are less frequent users of the Ōrākei Community Centre is because they use the Marae. Both the Marae and the Ōrākei Community Centre Manager reported that significant attempts have been made to increase usage of the Centre by local Maori over the last several years.

9.4 Community feedback

Community feedback regarding the Ōrākei Community Centre and the provision of community facilities in the Ōrākei area was invited via participation in the community survey, in-depth interviews with residents (users and non-users of community facilities) and key community stakeholder interviews.

9.4.1 Key findings

As with all of the sites explored as part of this project, there is also cross-boundary patronage of the Ōrākei Community Centre (outside of the 15 minute walking catchment) although to a lesser degree than with the Meadowbank Community Centre. Please see Appendix F, Table 22.

There have been significant efforts made by the staff at the Ōrākei Community Centre and by other key people (such as the Minister at St James Church) to engage with the local community and encourage greater participation in the community activities available (this has included encouraging community ‘meet and greets’ at the Community Centre). Ōrākei is an extremely diverse community, but despite efforts, key users of the community facilities in the local area (other than the Marae) tend to be young families (activities for children) and older (50+ residents). Most community centre users are reported to be New Zealand European/Pakeha. There has been some successful engagement with local Pacifica families (mainly because of the efforts of a key Community Centre staff member) and with the local Asian community. As discussed above, the Ōrākei Marae reports that the Marae is a community facility for Maori and its existence is the main reason why local Maori families do not use the Ōrākei Community Centre.

Users of the Ōrākei Community Centre are more satisfied overall with room sizes and design than users of the Meadowbank Community Centre. Please see Appendix F, Table 23.

59% of current users would recommend the Ōrākei Community Centre. Please see Appendix F, Chart 7.

39% of residents were unsure about their future use of the Ōrākei Community Centre. Please see Appendix F, Chart 8.

People providing feedback via the community survey were asked how important community facilities (such as the four explored as part of this project) are to the community (whether they use community facilities or not). Results were generally consistent between users and non-users of the Ōrākei Community Centre – with most people of the view that community facilities such as these are important. Please see Appendix F, Table 24.

Ōrākei residents are the least satisfied overall with the range of community facilities, activities, services and programmes in their area. Please see Appendix F, Table 25.

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9.4.2 Other activities of interest and the spatial/venue implications

All local residents who opted to provide feedback via the community survey were asked if there were specific types of activities, programmes and services they would like to have available in their local area, that are not currently available. Many of the suggestions here are outside the scope of a community centre e.g. walking paths, swimming pool, gyms, greenspace etc. Please see Appendix F, Table 26.

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10 Conclusions

10.1 Ōrākei Local Board – the Communities Facilities Network

While the scope of this study was to explore community facilities and community needs in the Meadowbank, Remuera and Ōrākei areas specifically, it is apparent that there is also some cross-boundary use of facilities (between these areas and across the wider Ōrākei Local Board area). This cross-boundary use is more apparent between the suburbs of Meadowbank and Remuera however, than it is for Ōrākei (i.e. between Ōrākei and the other two areas). Feedback from Centre Managers, programme providers and from the community survey indicates that there is at least some existing use of the Meadowbank Community Centre by Remuera residents (and also some interest in potential future use). There is very limited use at present of the Ōrākei Community Centre by residents of either Meadowbank or Remuera (although this facility is not currently being used to capacity even by Ōrākei residents).

Managers of the Community of St Luke and the St Heliers Church and Community Centre have also reported that users of these facilities come from right across (and also outside) the Ōrākei Local Board area.

From a facilities network perspective, Tahapa Crescent Hall currently serves as an overflow facility for the Meadowbank Community Centre and is also used by programme providers requiring a dance facility. Other dance facilities in the area include St Heliers Church and Community Centre and school and church halls.

There is limited existing relationship between the Meadowbank and Ōrākei Community Centres. These are essentially stand-alone facilities serving their own local (and in the case of Meadowbank) nearby areas. Even though Meadowbank is better utilised, there is no evidence to suggest that Ōrākei Community Centre is being used as an overflow facility for Meadowbank. The distance between these two centres appears to preclude that (i.e. there was limited evidence to suggest that residents of Meadowbank and Remuera were willing to travel to Ōrākei and vice versa).

Remuera does not have a community centre, but does have a community library and direct access to the services offered at the Council-owned facility of 4 Victoria Avenue. While both Meadowbank and Ōrākei have access to their own local Plunket service, neither have a CAB. Feedback from the CAB suggests that (face-to-face) clients travel from other parts of the Ōrākei Local Board area – but less so from Ōrākei and more so from the local Remuera area.

In summary, Meadowbank Community Centre and Tahapa Crescent Hall complement one another but mainly in terms of Tahapa Crescent Hall as an overflow facility and because Tahapa Crescent Hall can cater for dance groups, which Meadowbank Community Centre cannot. Ōrākei is a stand-alone facility, which offers very similar types of activities to other facilities in the wider Ōrākei Local Board area predominantly for residents of the Ōrākei area. 4 Victoria Avenue is not a community facility per se – rather it is a site offering two very specific services (one of which is also available across the local board area).

The other community facilities in the Ōrākei Local Board area offer similar activities to those offered by the facilities in Meadowbank and Ōrākei – they do not ‘specialise’ in a particular type of activity (not offered elsewhere) – other than the Marae, which is mainly used by local Maori. The other facilities do however have a good range of, and more flexible room options that either of the other two community centres – but neither St Heliers or the Community of St Luke appear to be as well utilised as the Meadowbank Community Centre (although both are busy). Feedback from the community survey indicates that residents of Remuera and

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Meadowbank also utilise the Community of St Luke and the St Heliers Church and Community Centre (and St Chads).

There is a range of other non-Council owned community facilities in these three areas. Most are in Remuera, a smaller number are in Ōrākei and very few are in Meadowbank.

10.2 The four facilities – key conclusions

1. Community venues (including halls and meeting rooms) are highly valued (and utilised) across all three areas explored as part of this study. Of the three areas, Meadowbank has the fewest facilities available for community use and Remuera has the most (in the form of non-Council owned facilities such as schools and church halls). Meadowbank residents are however the most satisfied with the range of community facilities, activities, services and programmes in their area. Ōrākei residents are the least satisfied and have the second fewest number of facilities (Council and non-Council owned) – although the Ōrākei Community Centre is not operating to capacity at present.

2. All four facilities explored are described as run-down and in need of refurbishment. From a priority perspective however, the most significant issues are to do with the Meadowbank Community Centre and 4 Victoria Avenue. The Meadowbank Community Centre has been the subject of a number of reports, all of which have provided consistent feedback as to its current condition and the fact that it is well utilised. The tenants at 4 Victoria Avenue have both also raised concerns about the building, which suggest that it is not fit for purpose (including structurally). Feedback from people who have used 4 Victoria Avenue is also negative.

3. Both Tahapa Crescent Hall and 4 Victoria Avenue are not as well utilised as they could be. Plunket rarely use the property on Mondays and Fridays, or after 4.30pm other weekdays or on weekends. The CAB mainly uses the property during the day and only once or twice a week for evening clinics. Tahapa Crescent Hall has two spaces, only one of which can be used at one time. For this reason, neither site (given the venue constraints in these two areas) are maximising their community usage opportunities.

4. Many of the desired activities, programmes and services identified by the community as part of this project are already offered at various venues (Council-owned as well as non-Council owned), which suggests that there is an opportunity for better communication around the community activities that are available.

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Appendix A: List of stakeholders who were unable to take part or did not respond to a request for an interview

The following stakeholders were identified by Auckland Council as potential interviewees. These people were unable to take part in the timeframe or did not respond to a request for an interview.

St Josephs Church – Monsignor Pat Monisgnor Ward was retiring in a week (from the date of contact) and Ward was unable to take part

Ōrākei Market – Sheila Fernyhough The meeting was rescheduled twice but did not ever take part

Glendowie Hall – Lulu Vee Samuel Lulu was spoken to by telephone and a follow up email was sent to arrange a meeting (along with another further follow up) but no meeting was ever arranged

Meadowbank and St Johns Residents An email request was sent but no response was received. However, the Association – John Duiguid community feedback survey was sent out via this organisation

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Appendix B: Community survey demographics

Please note that these percentages should be seen as key trends only, given the total sample size for this community feedback survey (N=218).

Gender

• Women were over-represented in the community survey • Men are more likely to be non-users of these three facilities

Total Meadowbank Meadowbank Remuera Remuera Ōrākei Ōrākei % User Non-User User Non-User User Non-User % % % % % % Male 27.6 15.9 36.8 15.9 35.5 24.1 29.6 Female 70.5 82.6 60.9 84.1 61.3 72.4 69.4 I would 1.9 1.4 2.3 0 3.2 3.4 1.0 rather not say

Age

• Youth did not take part in the survey – but their parents did (there is a youth survey being conducted by the St Heliers Church and Community Centre which we are able to access once it is available) • The median age for Ōrākei Local Board is 40.2 (2013 Census) • Comparing user to non-users: o Meadowbank users are more likely to be 30-49 and less likely to be 50-59 o Remuera users are more likely to be 60-69 and less likely to be 30-49 o Ōrākei users are more likely to be 40-49

Total Meadowbank Meadowbank Remuera Remuera Ōrākei Ōrākei % User Non-User User Non-User User Non- % % % % % User % Under 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18-19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20-29 1.9 2.9 1.1 0 3.2 0 3.1 30-39 19.9 26.1 14.9 9.5 26.9 17.2 21.4 40-49 21.8 27.5 17.2 15.9 25.8 27.6 18.4 50-59 9.6 2.9 14.9 15.9 5.4 6.9 11.2 60-69 20.5 17.4 23.0 28.6 15.1 20.7 20.4 70-79 17.3 14.5 19.5 19.0 16.1 17.2 17.3 80 or 5.8 6.9 11.1 3.2 5.2 7.1 6.4 above I would 2.9 2.3 0 4.3 5.2 1.0 rather not 2.6 say

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Household structure

• More single people/couples and families with one or two children took part in this community survey • Meadowbank users are more likely to be families with 1-2 children at home • Remuera users are more likely to be single/couples • Ōrākei users are more likely to be families with 1-2 children at home

Total Meadowbank Meadowbank Remuera Remuera Ōrākei Ōrākei % User Non-User User Non-User User Non- % % % % % User % One person 44.5 29.0 57.0 52.4 39.1 39.7 47.4 or couple Family - 1 or 41.3 53.6 31.4 38.1 43.5 44.8 39.2 2 children living at home Family - 3 or 5.2 8.7 2.3 3.2 6.5 6.9 4.1 more children living at home Non family 0.6 0 1.2 0 1.1 0 1.0 household e.g. flatting Extended 3.2 4.3 2.3 3.2 3.3 0 5.2 family arrangement Other 1.9 1.4 2.3 0 3.3 3.4 1.0 I would 3.2 2.9 3.5 3.2 3.3 5.2 2.1 rather not say

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Household income

• Ōrākei Local Board has a higher household income compared to Auckland overall (2013 Census) and this is reflected here • Meadowbank users have a higher household income than non-users • Remuera users have a lower household income than non-users • Ōrākei users and non-uses have similar household incomes

Total Meadowbank Meadowbank Remuera Remuera Ōrākei Ōrākei % User Non-User User Non-User User Non- % % % % % User % Less than 0.6 0 1.2 0 1.1 0 1.0 $20,000/year per year Between 3.9 4.3 3.5 6.5 2.2 1.8 5.2 $20,000 and $29,000 Between 5.8 8.7 3.5 9.7 3.3 8.8 4.1 $30,000 and $39,000 Between 10.4 7.2 12.9 14.5 7.6 14.0 8.2 $40,000 and $59,000 Between 11.7 8.7 14.1 14.5 9.8 12.3 11.3 $60,000 and $79,000 Between 5.2 5.8 4.7 6.5 4.3 0. 8.2 $80,000 and $100,000 More than 34.4 42.0 28.2 21.0 43.5 36.8 33.0 $100,000 I am unsure 2.6 4.3 1.2 3.2 2.2 0 4.1 I would 25.3 18.8 30.6 24.2 26.1 26.3 24.7 rather not say

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Ethnicity

• European, Maori and Pacific Peoples participants are reflective of the 2013 Census results • Asian are under-represented

2013 Total Meadowbank Meadowbank Remuera Remuera Ōrākei Ōrākei Census % User Non-User User Non-User User Non- % % % % % % User %

NZ 77.4 83.1 80.9 84.9 85.5 81.5 86.2 81.3 European Maori 4.7 4.5 5.9 3.5 3.2 5.4 6.9 3.1 Pacific 2.9 2.6 4.4 1.2 1.6 3.3 3.4 2.1 Peoples Indian 18.1 1.9 4.4 0 1.6 2.2 1.7 2.1 Chinese 3.2 2.9 3.5 3.2 3.3 0 5.2 Other 2.6 2.9 2.3 1.6 3.3 1.7 3.1 Asian MELAA 1.8 7.1 8.8 5.8 4.6 8.7 6.9 7.3 Other 1.4 I would 0 2.6 2.9 2.3 1.6 3.3 0 4.2 rather not say

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Appendix C: Meadowbank Community Centre – supplemental information

Meadowbank Community Centre: Functional requirements

The following table sets out the functional requirements for a redeveloped Meadowbank Community Centre. Please note that these are ‘ideal scenario’ functional requirements and have been developed to take into account the future needs of an increased Meadowbank population. These requirements also reflect the fact that:

• The Meadowbank Community Centre is currently well utilised • There are few community facilities in the Meadowbank areas (Council and non-Council owned) • Those other facilities that do exist are already also very well utilised, and • The Community Facilities Network Plan gives clear direction for co-located and integrated facilities and as such all spaces are to be ‘pack in/pack out’ and available for multiple uses and groups.

The specific requirements may also vary depending on the future development (or otherwise) of Tahapa Crescent Hall.

Table 6: Functional requirements – Meadowbank Community Centre

Room/space Capacity Requirements Notes

Meeting Room 1 100 (seated) Sprung floor, mirrors, The number of these larger ballet bars meeting rooms are dependent on Operable wall the redevelopment or otherwise Meeting Room 2 (if 100 (seated) No sprung floor/dance of Tahapa Crescent Hall. If Tahapa Crescent studio requirements Tahapa Crescent Hall is not part Hall is incorporated) Operable wall of Auckland Council’s community facilities portfolio moving forward, then 2 large rooms would be required Meeting Room 3 40 (seated) Storage space (ideal) Meeting Room 4 20 (seated) Storage space (ideal) Meeting Room 5 20 (seated) Storage space (ideal) (not required if 2 large meeting rooms with operable walls are provided) Kitchen Non-commercial Coffee and tea facilities There is no commercial kitchen at Oven for reheating present and the commercial Microwave, Fridge etc. kitchen at Ōrākei Community Centre is rarely used Toilets 6 pans To meet building code requirements Storage Area(s) Refer St Chads basement One large storage area with storage as ‘ideal’ additional storage areas for each room has been identified as ‘ideal’. However, one large

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storage area with separate areas for programme providers and Centre staff may be acceptable Foyer area Described as ‘ideal’ but not essential by Centre staff. A waiting area is not considered essential Reception/office 3 people Desk, chair, visitor chair(s), shelving/file space, utilities (photocopiers etc.) Please note that these requirements are indicative only and subject to change depending on the services that are delivered from the Meadowbank Community Centre.

Table 6a: Plunket Superclinic – at the Meadowbank Community Centre (pack in/pack out)

Room/space Capacity Requirements Notes

Waiting Shared as part of Meadowbank area/reception Community Centre Office/clinic Minimum 15 square Sound proofing (for This room needs to also be able metre capacity privacy) to accommodate other siblings – Hand basin (required) so 15 square meter minimum Space for scales, measuring table, nurses desk Office/clinic Minimum 15 square Sound proofing (for This room needs to also be able metre capacity privacy) to accommodate other siblings – Hand basin (required) so 15 square meter minimum Space for scales, measuring table, nurses desk Toilets, kitchen, As above (as part of storage Meadowbank Community Centre)

Plunket also require a room for ad hoc group meetings (we have assumed that they would be able to use/hire one if they are in a multi-purpose facility). Plunket would also require signage visible from the road.

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Table 7: Use of the Meadowbank Community Centre

Current use of the Meadowbank Community Centre %

I currently use the Meadowbank Community Centre 6.7% I have used this facility in the last 2 years (but not currently) 10.0% I have used this facility - but not in the last 2 years 21.0% I haven't used this facility - but children in my household have (e.g. a child 5.7% specific activity such as art classes, music etc.) Other adults in my household have used this facility (e.g. partner, flatmate, 0.5% parent etc.) I run an activity, programme or service at the Meadowbank Community 0.5% Centre I have never used this facility 55.7%

Table 8: Users: Satisfaction with the Meadowbank Community Centre

Facility attribute % Satisfied or Very Satisfied

I feel safe at this facility 75 There is a good range of activities, programmes and events on offer there 56 The facility is clean and well maintained 56 The rooms are the right size for the programmes/classes/events I take part in 52 Overall satisfaction 51 There are enough toilet facilities 51 The heating and ventilation works well 50 The outside areas are of a high standard 47 There is enough parking 42 The rooms are well designed for the programmes/classes/events I take part 39 in (e.g. flooring, lighting, access etc.) Activities and programmes run at times that suit me 38 I am usually able to get myself/children into programmes, events and classes 38 at this facility (i.e. there is enough space)

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Table 9: Users: Meadowbank Community Centre Comments

General condition/general • General feel of the place is very run down and in need of care. Kitchen area is often dirty, with dishes left in sink and bin too full • It is a great centre and very well run with a variety of activities. However, the building itself is dated and is in dire need of a facelift • The centre could do with a refurbish • The facility is old. Floorboards are loose, there is not enough storage and the kitchen is inadequate and ill cared for • The ladies that run the facility are lovely but the facility is not!! The gardens are overgrown. The centre until recently smelt musty. • The place could be better. So old • The facilities need to be upgraded • Centre improvements to the building A modern purpose built building. Larger. Childcare has fantastic teachers but poor facilities • A refurbish. More publication of events/ activities available • Centre upgrade • Better use of the outdoor area, bigger venue and bathroom facilities. Upgrade preschool • Newer look • I understand from others that a major upgrade is required if the centre is to continue to service an expanding population which may include overflow facilities currently being provided for in Remuera • Improved facilities • Freshen up building outside and inside. • Integrate better to town centre and possibly to mall carpark • New building, more toilets, new kitchen

Capacity/rooms • It's clean but quite crowded and dingy-looking • The rooms often have 20+ people in it, they are cramped which offers little room for new attendees • Bigger Room. More Rooms • Ease of layout • It needs a makeover and a revamp. The rooms are like add-ons and it is tired inside and out • Make it more open, less crowded. Have an open porch/verandah. Model it after the Saint Heliers Church & Community Centre. • Make the rooms modern. Make them bigger. Increase car parking. • More rooms available - greater variety of sizes or more flexible spaces • Parking and room facilities, all round the community center has been running efficiently but there is such a high demand for room hire and the rooms are not suited to cater for large numbers. Also more toilets would be great! Two single toilets for what is sometimes 60 people is not fun • Would be great if it was larger and could offer more options • The site can be very busy, perhaps there needs to expand or other facilities available • More rooms available • Bigger preschool room, change furniture and update the playground garden • More spacious, more outdoor friendly area • Be nice if it was larger more modern facility that could cope with more/larger groups I suspect • Rebuild it. It is tired looking with a confusing layout. Need bigger rooms. Less clutter everywhere. Staff seem down and unmotivated

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• Rebuild the centre to cater more adequately for the activities and to enable more than one activity to occur

Parking • The parking needs to be improved and difficult entrance into the facility • Think it is a little tired and needs a bit more TLC • The car park is often cramped with cars parking other cars in which leads to chaos! • Parking. Entrance into the Meadowbank Community Centre • Car parking is terrible. It's not safe for dropping kids at the community centre. At peak times you can't find a park. • The parking area is small and there doesn't seem to be quite enough space to drive in, drop off, and get out again easily when there are small children around and it’s on a busy road.

Promotion/activities • Better advertising of what is run • Consider more one of special interest activities • Consider having neighborly drop in sessions i.e. Sunday morning open days / meet your neighbour • More evening activities should be run particularly in conjunction with the local board and residents association • Better advertising of activities/services, get community buy-in • Reach out to the community more. The website is terrible and shows out of date information. There is little social media presence (Facebook, Neighbourly) • Greater range of outdoor activities for different age groups. Greater advertising of events. • I know this would be hard. But a program of things for older people in the day time • Better advertising • Better advertising / social media presence • More evening classes, e.g. Yoga at better times. Consider some commercial use of space

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Chart 1: Likelihood to recommend the Meadowbank Community Centre

Likelihood to recommend Meadowbank Community Centre

Likelihood to recommend the Meadowbank Community 66 16 18 Centre

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

% PosiCve (7-10) % Neutral (5-6) % NegaCve (1-4)

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Chart 2: Anticipated future use of the Meadowbank Community Centre

100% An#cipated future use of Meadowbank Community Centre 90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40% 36%

29% 30%

20% 20% 15%

10%

0% More o1en About the same Less o1en I am unsure

Table 10: Importance of community facilities

Area currently living in Important/very Neutral Not important important (7-10) (5-6) (1-4) % % % Meadowbank 87 7 6 Remuera 86 9 5 Ōrākei 86 11 3 Other 85 8 7

Table 11: Extent to which there are a good range of community facilities, activities, services and programmes in your local area

Area currently living in Agree/strongly Neutral Disagree agree (7-10) 5-6) (1-4) % % % Meadowbank 63 18 19 Remuera 52 28 20 Ōrākei 43 35 22 Other 37 52 11

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Table 12: Meadowbank - other activities of interest

Services/other: General activities: Physical activities: • Community parties • Music classes (low cost) e.g. like • Yoga, Tai Chi and walking • A community facility that those at Tamaki Primary activities has indoor/outdoor • Craft classes/groups • Vegetable gardening, options. Currently the only • Art, cooking, genealogy, talks by composting facility is St Chads Scout interesting people, yoga, craft for • More family and fitness Hall - you can use the kids activities reserve if you want to go • U3A • For children – local gymnastic outside, but that is down • Music classes (school age) and ball stairs and not very safe for • Knitting, crocheting sport classes (pre-school) younger kids • Art classes for kids, drama and • Swimming pools • Local market in dance for boys • Yoga Meadowbank • Street dancing • Justice of the Peace service • Perhaps more indoor sporting • CAB facilities • BBQ facilities, picnic tables, • 10 pin bowling park benches • Yoga classes at Tahapa Crescent • Monthly drop in groups, Hall gardeners plant swaps, • Family yoga crafters morning tea, could • Indian classical dancing learn / share crochet / • Bike track in a park knitting / other crafts, encourage a sense of community and neighbourhood • Library • Community garden in Meadowbank • Our community needs a hub. Places don’t feel connected. Community resources feel hidden and need searching to find

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Appendix D: Tahapa Crescent Hall - supplemental information

Chart 3: Overall satisfaction with Tahapa Crescent Hall

Overall sa)sfac)on with Tahapa Cresent Hall

Overall sa4sfac4on with Tahapa Cresent Hall 48 26 26

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

% Posi4ve (7-10) % Neutral (5-6) % Nega4ve (1-4)

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Table 13: Tahapa Crescent Hall user comments

General condition/general • Was fine for a one off meeting, but a bit run-down - not sure I would attend events regularly there. Nice and local and convenient though • The place was suitable for the class I went to - although felt a little run down • Old building needs upgrading • No indoor outdoor flow. Very old. Noisy • It's handy, which is great, but it's pretty under-utilised • It's a pretty old run down hall. Not too inspiring • It was a long time ago and I found it a little dark and uncomfortable. It may have changed a lot since then • Have been attending at this hall for many years. Its quiet (or it was!) Very restful. Good location • Decent community facility. Nothing flash, but serviceable • Horrible place. Grotty old and generally unpleasant. What a waste of a Community Centre • Just smarten it up a bit - fresh coat of paint, new curtains, just make it a bit nicer. • Make it lighter, brighter and more modern. • Parking, upgrade facilities • Probably could do with a clean of the walls and a repaint. Overall pretty good. The gate needs a bit of attention

Capacity-related • Very small facility • Could be bigger as community is growing

Other • Better outdoor area • Build a new one! • Difficult to change the size • Sell it and rebuild a better brand new centre on site of Meadowbank community centre. • Signage at the street to alert community to its existence

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Chart 4: Anticipated future use of Tahapa Crescent Hall

An#cipated future use of Tahapa Crescent Hall 100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

48% 50%

40% 33%

30%

20% 11% 10% 7%

0% More o1en About the same Less o1en I am unsure

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Appendix E: 4 Victoria Avenue – supplemental information

4 Victoria Avenue: Functional requirements

The following table sets out the functional requirements for a redeveloped 4 Victoria Avenue site. The spatial requirements will differ depending on other uses for the facility and the ability to share and optimise space. CAB’s preference is to remain at this site or to be located at a site that has high foot traffic (such as Eastridge Mall).

Table 14: Functional requirements Plunket

Room/space Capacity Requirements Notes

Clinic Minimum 15 square Sound proofing (for This room needs to also be able metre capacity privacy) to accommodate other siblings – Hand basin (required) so 15 square meter minimum Space for scales, Plunket are attempting to reduce measuring table, nurses their storage space requirements desk (for private files) but would need Storage space (lockable) lockable space for equipment Waiting Ideal 20 square meter Needs room for prams Families are waiting for room/meeting room capacity Direct access to outdoor appointments at 15 minute play area intervals Access to this room for ad hoc meetings after hours Toilets As per building code requirements Kitchenette Non-commercial Tea and coffee making facilities Microwave

Plunket also require room for ad hoc group meetings – they could use the waiting room after hours.

Table 15: Functional requirements CAB

Room/space Capacity Requirements Notes

Foyer/reception/ 20m2 after-hours meeting room Shared office space 30m2 Desks, chairs Interview room 12m2 Interview room 12m2 Meeting room 10-12 people (seated) Toilets As per building code requirements Kitchenette Non-commercial Tea and coffee making facilities Microwave

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CABAC (Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland City) also currently has an office (seating 3 people) at 4 Victoria Road. There does not appear to be a specific requirement for CABAC to be located here as they do not see clients

Chart 5: Overall satisfaction with 4 Victoria Avenue

Overall sa)sfac)on with 4 Victoria Avenue

Overall sa4sfac4on with 4 Victoria Avenue 56 12 32

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

% Posi4ve (7-10) % Neutral (5-6) % Nega4ve (1-4)

Chart 6: Anticipated future use of 4 Victoria Avenue

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100% An#cipated future use of 4 Victoria Avenue 90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40% 34% 33%

30%

20% 16% 16%

10%

0% More o1en About the same Less o1en I am unsure

Table 16: 4 Victoria Avenue User Comments

The facility overall • It was cold inside. The place just seems a bit grotty and run down. The room wasn't really the right size. The building doesn't really seem fit for purpose - the space is used as it is because that's all there is. • We should have a new facility. It was fairly awful when our children went there for Plunket. Goodness knows what it's like now! • Very run down, though I only went in long enough to get a JP to sign a document • Very good community services on offer, but most likely needs more space. • Very cramped • Too small and poky • There wasn't appropriate space for a private discussion. • The location is brilliant, so convenient and accessible. This Auckland Council owned building needs an upgrade. CAB interviewers do a wonderful job within the limitation of the building • The facility is in a sad state of repair and the Council should be ashamed that they have allowed this to happen. It should be kept up to a better standard so that it could be more widely used by the community. The people of Remuera deserve a Community facility in the heart of the shopping centre that can be used for a variety of activities • The building is in a shocking state of repair, unsafe for workers using it, has a shared driveway past the Plunket rooms to a development site at the back (dangerous for mothers and children) and urgently needs replacement. • Pretty old and cramped, but suffices • Old, tatty, no space - not conducive to private conversation, intrusive coordinator (reception). Old and dingy. Brick building looks to be an earthquake risk. No privacy in CAB when discussing private matters e.g. JP. CAB cramped and crowded • Facility is old and doesn't seem to be purpose built • My score comprises the mean of two components, 1. Location (score: 10), 2. Building (score 4). Total = 14.

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Mean score and response to this question: 7 • The location is excellent. What we need is a functional building suited to meeting current needs and providing a wider range of community services - on the same site! • Lack of available personnel/time open. Not private. Facilities substandard • It’s an old stucco house. The drive access is difficult. Particularly as the occupant at the back uses the driveway more frequently and if a shift is changing over parking and moving of cars can be difficult. The building is neglected. It is not purpose built and there are maintenance and structural issues. • It's pretty old and could do with a spruce up-that's all • It is very shabby and cold • It is a tired building, damp and cold especially in winter months. • I had to change my baby and the bathroom and changing facilities were very basic. The change table was very unsatisfactory and was difficult to change my baby! • Grubby, dark, smelly • Good, but I think CAB could make better use of a larger space. They have so much worthwhile care to offer, very informative, and needed! Let them have more rooms if they want, please. Or, let them stay where they are, just please DON'T downsize or downgrade them! • Damp in winter and hard to keep warm. Rooms for CAB are crowded and there is no easy way to allow privacy. Building is old and shabby and probably not earthquake sound. Time for a complete rebuild. Maybe to use the land better go to a multi-story structure with Plunket on ground floor with CAB and offices or apartments above to provide income for running these community facilities • Cramped facilities in an inadequate building • Building rather run down

Parking • When I went to Plunket with my baby it was really hard to find parking nearby. I don't mind walking places, but back then with a newborn it was harder to get to places on time when on foot, plus it was too far to walk from home - I had to drive. • Not easy parking • Awkward to get to. Parking hopeless

Table 17: 4 Victoria Avenue Suggestions

General changes (layout, size of rooms/existing services). • Definitely need a bigger waiting room, more privacy where people have to discuss private issues with, parking is an issue • Much better office spaces for CAB. Some parking spaces for clients. A dedicated office for the JP service • The whole place needs to be updated with new paint and some decoration work. It is a little run down • Access. State of the building. Should be more visible and widely advertised • Bright modern facilities, more space • CAB service is excellent but they don't have enough space and should have more modern facilities. They need more room for private rooms for interviewing • Better parking • Better heating and ventilation • A refreshed interior - it felt a bit old and crusty • Building fit for purpose. Rooms for interviews, meetings etc., Parking • Could do with update - purpose built; modernisation • Enlarge it at its present location. It’s too small.

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• It could be more spacious. And more parking outside would be perfect but not reasonable. It needs to be central and that means limited parking or a walk from parking. • It is old and run down, so could do with upgrading. • There is limited privacy if you are visiting the CAB, so maybe a better layout of rooms. • It would be good to see the building in a better state of repair • JoP cubicle needs to be more private, waiting room wider, drinking water for public who may have walked going there • JP could be in a separate private interview-room, rather than as I saw it, open to the waiting-room area. Even more important for their free lawyer service or budgeting, counselors, whatever other discussions which need to be more private. Office staff should be paid well and get whatever training they need, such as use of computers and up-to-date search engines, etc. I don't mean they aren't good at it, I just mean put more budget into keeping them up-to-scratch and upskilling if needed. Also budget for getting back-up staff or more new team-members when needed. It would be a good idea to check their office-equipment plus desk- and storage- arrangements too: if I was a decision-maker, I'd go all out to check their office needs and their working conditions, in relation to providing a (continued) smooth and efficient service. The community should find ways to show how much we value the Remuera CAB people and their services. Thank you for letting me have my say, here :) • Just give it a fresh coat of paint • Better parking • Public toilet • Maybe redecorate and get new heaters. It is very cold in winter if you have to wait • Maybe the parking, which is not good and appears to be shared with the Plunket Group and turning into Victoria Avenue, which is a busy street, you have to try and watch traffic and work out where to park the vehicle. • Modernise • More parking - that's all. • More private space so personal matters can be discussed without being overheard by complete strangers • Earthquake strengthen building • Dingy old building and surroundings make the services there look old fashioned • More space • Needs an upgrade, outdated decor • Probably bulldoze and rebuild a clean modern facility which people will want to use covers it • The building needs an upgrade. It is substandard. • Better parking • Air conditioning or heat pumps to dry out the mold

Additional community facilities • I would demolish the existing structure and provide an attractive new building, better suited to the provision of current services, with flexible additional meeting rooms for use as a community hub • Bulldoze it. Attach a decent facility to the public library. Focus on after school services and services to the elderly. You could actually turn a profit in a high decile area full of wealthy older folk and parents who have kids at local schools especially private ones and who already use all the tutoring and after school services around. Off the current services in clean bright friendly rooms that can also be used for classes at other times • Develop the building to offer additional community services • A new building for those services is well justified in the high rating area of Remuera. Something needs to happen soon before a safety issue shows Auckland Council up as the landlord (through Panuku Developments) knowing for a very long time about the problems there and doing nothing about it • I would remodel the building and have it purpose built for CAB and Plunket and have additional meeting space for groups who could do with this. Better meeting space • If there was suitable accommodation elsewhere I would probably shift it. The area is very central and clients

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find it easily. It’s handy to report we are next to the post office. The office/interviewing accommodation could be described as 'rambling' • Improve parking/access. Demolish and rebuild a fit-for-purpose space. Add more services so it is more like the community centres in Ōrākei, Meadowbank, Onehunga, etc. Make it more of a community hub. • Include meeting rooms to enable a better range of community facilities to be offered • Larger rooms so that groups can hire these for meetings Rooms available for community group activities • Outdoor area where children can play and people can sit and eat their lunch during the business week • More Community programmes • More quiet space to talk, read and browse. • If affordable, it would be nice to have an info center to feel relaxed, have a coffee and have time to reflect on • Upgrade internal layout to provide a medium sized meeting room.

Table 18: Importance of community facilities

Area currently living in Important/very Neutral Not important important (7-10) (5-6) (1-4) % % % Meadowbank 87 7 6 Remuera 86 9 5 Ōrākei 86 11 3 Other 85 8 7

Table 19: Extent to which there are a good range of community facilities, activities, services and programmes in your local area

Area currently living in Agree/strongly Neutral Disagree agree (7-10) (5-6) (1-4) % % % Meadowbank 63 18 19 Remuera 52 28 20 Ōrākei 43 35 22 Other 37 52 11

Table 20: Remuera - other activities of interest

General Activities: Physical Activities: Other: • Some less expensive arts • Sporting/dance/fitness/ education • Also an art gallery would be classes e.g. painting would • Senior exercise classes e.g. Zumba. fabulous be helpful • More affordable fitness options For • Public Meetings, small • More programmes for the those of us who can't afford gym Meetings, noticeboard, elderly and or yoga class fees Congregation point for • More music lessons, drama • More activities for adults to keep residents, Art & exhibition classes, dancing classes for healthy and well and learn space, After hours education, primary school age • Exercise classes for older people, Playground (especially in

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children. All indoor walking groups, informal groups, Remuera Shopping centre)" activities. such as gardening • Parks and open areas • More garden/horticulture • Dance classes for toddler, preschool • I would just like the problems type activities would be • Basketball leagues with 4 Victoria Avenue great. • Another sports centre addressed so we are not worse • More activities in the off than before. Remuera area that would • Farmers Market interest older adults (but • Community meeting space and not retirees). local board member interview • Children's art and music space programmes • Community meeting rooms • Children’s parties • Not a problem now as my children have grown but when they were little the lack of a play area for little children in Remuera shops meant I went elsewhere. Why don't we have a community noticeboard? Only ones are inside the community buildings and not very visible • A weekly market in Remuera would be great! • Remuera Heritage has a good program that has good support and is of interest to members and more general public. • As senior citizens we are pretty well catered for in Remuera. If we were younger, bringing up school children, more after school facilities would be useful. • As retirees we feel well catered for • Accessible meeting & exhibition space so community "placemaking" activities have a venue • A playground area in the shopping centre and an area where business people can eat their lunch other than in a cafe or at their office desk, Better Public toilets, Meeting rooms, Toy Library, Public Notice Board, Better car park facilities

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Appendix F: Ōrākei Community Centre Community – supplemental information

Ōrākei Community Centre: Functional requirements

The following table sets out the spatial requirements for a redeveloped Ōrākei Community Centre. Note however, that these requirements have been developed to reflect potential future (long-term) changes in the Ōrākei area. At present however, the Centre is not being utilised to capacity. It seems likely that a full-time Centre manager and better promotion of this Community Centre may improve usage opportunities in the future.

Table 21: Functional requirements for a redeveloped Ōrākei Community Centre if pursued in the future

Room/space Capacity Requirements Notes

Meeting Room 1 100 (seated capacity) Sprung floor, mirrors, A sprung floor has been (Current Main Hall ballet bars suggested here to take into Size) account potential future requirements and the fact that there is no Council-owned sprung floor facility in this area Meeting Room 2 40 (seated) Room size the same as (Current Community Community Room but Room Size) preference is for a different shape (not long and narrow) – wider and shorter Meeting Room 3 40 (seated) As above (Current Community Room Size) Meeting Room 4 20 (seated) Kitchen Non-commercial Coffee and tea facilities The current commercial kitchen kitchen Oven for reheating at Ōrākei Community Centre is Microwave, Fridge etc. rarely used Toilets To meet building code requirements Storage Area Separate storage areas for May need to be larger than programme providers and existing storage room with staff increased use Office 1-2 person Desk, chair, visitor chair(s), Depends on the extent to which shelving/file space this will be used by a full-time manager

CABAC also currently has an office (seating 3 people) at 4 Victoria Road. There does not appear to be a specific requirement for CABAC to be located here as they do not see clients.

CAB’s ideal location is visible and accessible from the road and in higher foot traffic areas. CAB Remuera report that in an average quarter there are around 1200 walk-ins including quick referrals out of a total of 2300 enquiries (walk-in and telephone).

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Table 22: Use of the Ōrākei Community Centre

Current use of the Ōrākei Community Centre %

I currently use the Ōrākei Community Centre 11% I have used this facility in the last 2 years (but not 14% currently) I have used this facility - but not in the last 2 years 7% I haven't used this facility - but children in my household have (e.g. a child specific activity such as art 2% classes, music etc.) Other adults in my household have used this facility 2% (e.g. partner, flatmate, parent etc.) I run an activity, programme or service at the Ōrākei 1% Community Centre I have never used this facility 63%

Table 23: Satisfaction with the Ōrākei Community Centre

Facility attribute % Satisfied or Very Satisfied

Overall satisfaction 52 There is a good range of activities, programmes and 37 events on offer there Activities and programmes run at times that suit me 40 I am usually able to get myself/children into 62 programmes, events and classes at this facility (i.e. there is enough space) The rooms are the right size for the 62 programmes/classes/events I take part in The rooms are well designed for the 59 programmes/classes/events I take part in (e.g. flooring, lighting, access etc.) There are enough toilet facilities 68 There is enough parking 58 I feel safe at this facility 71 The heating and ventilation works well 55 The facility is clean and well maintained 64 The outside areas are of a high standard 44

Chart 7: Likelihood to recommend the Ōrākei Community Centre

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Likelihood to recommend the Orakei Community Centre

Likelihood to recommend the Orakei Community Centre 59 23 17

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

% PosiAve (7-10) % Neutral (5-6) % NegaAve (1-4)

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Chart 8: Anticipated future use of the Ōrākei Community Centre

An#cipated future use of the Orakei Community Centre 100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

39% 39% 40%

30%

20% 15%

10% 5%

0% More o1en About the same Less o1en I am unsure

Table 24: Importance of community facilities

Area currently living in Important/very Neutral Not important important (7-10) (5-6) (1-4) % % % Meadowbank 87 7 6 Remuera 86 9 5 Ōrākei 86 11 3 Other 85 8 7

Table 25: Extent to which there are a good range of community facilities, activities, services and programmes in your local area

Area currently living in Agree/strongly Neutral Disagree agree (7-10) (5-6) (1-4) % % % Meadowbank 63 18 19 Remuera 52 28 20 Ōrākei 43 35 22 Other 37 52 11

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Table 26: Ōrākei – other activities of interest

General comments/needs: Activities: • Children's sports • Cooking classes • Decent farmers market!! • More yoga classes at various times • Gym • Anything to do with alternative/holistic health. For • Exercise example workshops or informative lectures. • I'd like a workshop equipped with good tools • Youth programme & somebody to show me how to correctly use the tools available • Improved basketball/ skateboarding/ cycling/walking facilities (grandchildren) - urgent need for Tamaki Drive boardwalk • Indoor programmes during winter • More businesses in the suburbs • Preserve all green space. More seating in some areas. Adult exercise equipment at playgrounds. Better signage of walking tracks • Safely fenced dog playpark with a coffee truck! • Swimming Pool • Swimming. More walking paths • The other facilities are quite close by, Remuera and St Heliers library and Parnell baths for swimming • Want to know what's on offer • We need a facility like Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga and also more gyms. There are lots of gyms in Glen Innes but only one small gym at Eastridge for the entire Ōrākei, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers area. We would like the North Kupe reserve playground to be as good as all the other playgrounds in the area. We suspect we have the cheapest, worst designed playground due to the socioeconomic status of the people immediately surrounding that reserve (i.e. social housing). This is very unfair and noticeable!

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