When former Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon opened the Parakai Tavern, near Helensville, in 1972 he may have had a different idea about what constituted a House of Wellbeing.
But that is what the tavern will become in March next year. Te Whare Oranga o Parakai, (House of Wellbeing, to give it its full name) will be a community centre with a real difference, partially funded by Sky City as part of more than $1.6 million allocated to 57 community organisations through the Sky City Auckland Community Trust this year - providing support to improve family/whanau, social health and wellbeing.
The 'No Alcohol' sign greets you as you arrive at the old tavern, next to the Parakai Springs hot pools. The sign seems a contradiction when, as you gaze past it, the pub's old bar is still much in evidence.
But the manager of the Helensville District Health Trust, Charm Torrance, has helped to mastermind a community centre centering on locally grown produce, children, health and support for local businesses.
"I don't think there is anywhere else quite like it," says Charm, who has worked for the Helensville trust for the past 25 years, "though we have got a lot of work to do to turn this from an old pub into what we want it to be."
The tavern ceased business a couple of years ago - hit by lack of clientele and the drink-drive laws. As it was a community asset run by a licensing trust, it could only be disposed of by giving it back to the community - and the Helensville District Health Trust stepped up.
So did Sky City, one of many donors who have helped Charm and her colleagues raise over $600,000 for the transformation of the tavern into a community centre that should enliven Parakai's quiet backwater and even act as a focus for the South Kaipara region.
"I think it is quite unique what they are doing," says Nicola Keen-Biggelaar, Sky City's Community Trust & GSR Manager. "There is some poverty in the area, little public transport and few ways for families to get out and they are bringing a hub together for that community. We like encouraging collaboration like this - supporting people supporting the community."
Sky City's donation has gone towards setting up a 'kitchen classroom' - part of the centre's focus on food and education - and to the salary of a 'food revolution manager'. The company provides 2.5 per cent of its net profit to community causes each year, the last totalling $1.6m.
The Parakai food revolution is loosely based on TV chef Jamie Oliver's garden-to-plate philosophy. Charm says: "We will have a big focus on cooking and learning here. The idea is for the food revolution manager to network with local growers and producers and arrange for them to bring their produce here for a market every Sunday.
"The local iwi say they will turn a big paddock behind us into a garden which will also provide produce as well as a fitness track which will go down by the river," says Charm. "After the market, if there is any food left, it will all be boxed up and distributed round the community."
The House of Wellbeing will also offer rentable office space with Wi-Fi to local businesses seeking fame and fortune but needing a local base from which to begin their operations; Charm says two have already signed up to be based there.
Doctors from the trust's medical centre in Helensville - and others - are planned to hold community health clinics there during the week and the renovation of the old pub also includes a classroom where adults and early school leavers can take advantage of the centre's partnership with Unitec and their Foundation courses which readies students for higher education and jobs.
There will be children's play areas for those with kids; served by libraries with books and other distractions and, aside from the 'food revolution' kitchen, there will also be kitchen space dedicated to cooking classes and will even allow those with a hygiene certificate to cook there to prepare foodstuffs for the Sunday market.
"We thought it was pointless demolishing the pub's kitchen," said Charm. "So we decided to put it to use instead. The whole idea is wellbeing - eating healthy, fitness and medical health and the health you gain from continued education too."
Some activities and space there will attract rental and Charm says the biggest challenge facing the centre is paying for itself on an ongoing basis: "I think that is the most difficult thing we face."
However, the area and Charm herself has 'form' in establishing unique community facilities. Women in the Helensville area in 1989s fought hard to keep their beloved birthing centre when the government of the day began shutting down rural obstetric hospitals.
"We completely transformed the old hospital into offices for the then Waitakere District health Board at one end and a birthing centre at the other end. It is rated by us and those who saw it as the best birthing centre in the country."
Maybe Charm and her trust colleagues, volunteers and friends can do the same with the House Of Wellbeing.
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