Tauawhi to build on ‘vision of creating a community of caring men in Tairāwhiti’

The gifting agreement from Presbyterian Support East Coast to Tauawhi Charitable Trust is signed by trust chair Jeremy Muir, left, and PSEC board member and audit and risk committee chair Tobias Taylor. Picture supplied

Tauawhi Men’s Centre is transferring to local governance as an independent entity at the end of this month.

Tauawhi has been a service of Presbyterian Support East Coast (PSEC) since it opened in July 2010 to provide a “one-stop shop” specifically for men to access help and contribute to positive change for men and their whānau.

PSEC is gifting Tauawhi Men’s Centre to Tauawhi Charitable Trust on June 30, 2023 after it was jointly agreed that the centre would be best placed for the future, and to continue to grow community services, as an independent entity.

PSEC chief executive Sanja Majstorović said they were proud of what Tauawhi Men’s Centre had achieved as a service of PSEC and shared her best wishes for the growth ahead.

“PSEC reflects on the positive changes that Tauawhi Men’s Centre has brought to men and their whānau. We support the team fully as they continue their journey to do meaningful work in the community.”

Tauawhi Men’s Centre coordinator Tim Marshall said this development had been part of the vision for Tauawhi from the beginning.

“We are hugely grateful for the faith that PSEC showed in the establishment of Tauawhi and the organisational support they have provided since.

“It was always the plan for us to become independent and now that we are in a position to see this become a reality, we are looking forward to the opportunity to build on our vision of creating a community of caring men in Tairāwhiti.”

Sanja Majstorović said Tauawhi Charitable Trust was well positioned to build further capacity and receive support from the community and funders.

Operating as a service of PSEC, Tauawhi Men’s Centre had built management capabilities and acquired revenue from government agencies and other local funders.

PSEC was grateful for its supporters, including government funders and donors, she  said.

“For the past 13 years, PSEC has proudly financially supported the vital work of Tauawhi Men’s Centre over and above the partial funding received.

“PSEC has a history and ethos of developing services to set them up for the best future performance, with many legacy examples over the years — Nikau Centre, Residential Elder Care, and Cranford Hospice.”

PSEC would continue to invest its resources to support Tairāwhiti communities through its Family Works service.

“Family Works supports and empowers families and whānau in the Tairāwhiti area to be safe, secure and well, and live to their potential. Services include social work, counselling, safety programmes and youth work to help build strong, independent, resilient whānau.”

A morning tea will be held at Tauawhi Men’s Centre, 73 Peel Street, from 10am on July 3 to acknowledge the changeover.