Strong Communities Start Here

Gate Pa Community Centre is committed to being a cornerstone of the community, fostering a supportive and engaged environment for all. Through strategic action and collaboration, we aim to build a stronger, more connected future.

The Gate Pa Community Centre is being built at 13-15 Anzac Road, Gate Pa. The planned completion date is 15 December 2026.

We will:

• Strengthen connection and belonging across the Gate Pā whānau and community.
• Support and care for our community, creating a place where people feel valued, connected and supported.
• Provide accessible, diverse and community-led programmes and services that respond to local needs and enhance the wellbeing, participation and development of the Gate Pā community.
• Grow leadership, participation and self-determination, supporting the Gate Pā community to shape its own future and lead change.

For 33 years, Katikati Community Centre has been a vital hub at the heart of the local community. Residents come here for practical assistance and genuine, person-to-person support.

The Centre offers a welcoming space where people can gather, connect, work, and play. It also serves as a central access point for health and wellbeing services that might otherwise require travel to Tauranga. The Centre’s doors are open to all residents of Katikati, regardless of race, religion, background, or circumstance.

Services offered include adult education, information and advice, room hire, school holiday programme, youth counselling, podiatrist, chiropractor, budget advice, AA, IRD and much, much more.

Merivale Community Centre is a place where people can find practical support when life gets tough, but also somewhere to connect, learn, contribute and build relationships.

From kai support, clothing, shower and laundry facilities and advocacy to youth programmes, community activities and opportunities to learn new skills, the Centre responds to whatever local whānau need.

Our new facility has become a busy community hub, bringing residents, community groups and partner organisations together every day. Everything we do is guided by manaakitanga and the belief that when people are supported, connected and given opportunities, the whole community benefits.

The Hub Te Puke is a welcoming and safe community space. Run by EmpowermentNZ Charitable Trust since 2016, The Hub provides Te Puke's foodbank, community meals, social work, counselling, financial mentoring, and housing support, free and open to everyone.

Food is usually the front door. Someone comes in because the cupboard is empty, and while they are here they find there is help with the power bill, the tenancy, or the thing they have not told anyone about yet. It all sits under one roof, so nobody has to tell their story twice. In 2025 we worked alongside 663 local households, and nearly three in four of those who came to us in crisis did not need to return for crisis support within the next three months. People tell us they arrive nervous and ashamed about having to ask. They do not leave that way.

Ten years on, The Hub is still built by Te Puke. Volunteers from churches and orchards, local businesses who quietly keep the shelves stocked, funders who have backed this work year after year. We are operating from a temporary site while we prepare our new home, and the mahi has not slowed for a day. If you are in a position to stand alongside us, your support goes straight into kai on tables and social work hours in this town.

At Welcome Bay Community Centre, we believe every person is Taonga – a precious and valuable gift. This belief shapes everything we do and inspires our vision of a community where every resident feels valued, connected, and supported to thrive.

Each week, hundreds of people walk through our doors seeking connection, practical support, and opportunities to improve their wellbeing. Whether it’s accessing kai support, counselling, free clothing, youth activities, or our growing range of health and wellbeing programmes, our goal is to create a place where everyone feels welcomed with dignity, compassion, and respect.

We also provide dedicated spaces for men, mums, and grandparents to come together, build meaningful relationships, and strengthen their support networks. These programmes reflect our commitment to creating connected communities where people know they belong and don’t have to face life’s challenges alone.

Our work is guided by four core values: Sustainability, Supported Communities, Integrity, and Partnerships. These values influence every decision we make; from ensuring our services remain accessible for the future, to working alongside local organisations and volunteers, and delivering support that is honest, respectful, and centred on the needs of our community.

The impact of Welcome Bay Community Centre is made possible by people who share our vision. Every donation helps us continue providing essential services, grow programmes that strengthen wellbeing, and ensure that support remains available for those who need it most.

If our vision resonates with you and you would like to help create a community where every person is recognised as Taonga, we warmly invite you to support our work.