Community hub gets new tools

Friendship House chief executive Neil Denney says the facility is all about building a place of community and belonging. Photo / Nick Reed

Donation means Manukau’s Friendship House can invest in new equipment to enhance meetings

Having a community space to meet and gather has been a blessing to those in South Auckland for almost 40 years.

The Friendship House He Whare Tangata, in Manukau City, has provided counselling, social services, educational courses, hospitality and advocacy services since it was established in 1976.

The building that stands today was a gift to the community from six church denominations in the region: Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Catholic and the Salvation Army.

Today, it continues to provide the people of South Auckland with a wide range of services as well as a community centre, a cafe and meeting rooms available for hire to local groups, churches and businesses.

The Friendship House has been named as one of 12 charities to receive a portion of $120,000 thanks to the Auckland Airport 12 Days of Christmas holiday giveaway.

The money is collected from the travelling public, who donate unwanted currency into globes throughout the airport during the year.

Friendship House chief executive Neil Denney said the money would buy an electronic whiteboard, a data projector and a retractable screen for larger groups that use the community centre.

"The House is all about building a place of community and belonging in the heart of Manukau. It's exciting to know we can now host larger community meetings and information sessions and that the grant means we will now have 13 rooms to offer other community groups.

"We really want to say a huge thank you to Auckland Airport for approving the grant and making this possible."

This year, the Friendship House hosted more than 450 community groups who hired meeting rooms for various purposes.

The house also runs Living Without Violence courses for people who have been affected by domestic violence.

Auckland Airport spokeswoman Anna Cassels-Brown said: "The Friendship House is a wonderful resource for the people of Manukau. We know the equipment purchased with this gift will help the trust to continue supporting our local community."

• Auckland Airport is giving away $120,000 to Kiwi charities as part of its 12 Days of Christmas initiative. The Herald and Herald on Sunday will profile each recipient.