Within its first twelve months, Wellington City Mission's Whakamaru hub is now established as a welcoming space for anyone in the Wellington region – a place for those in need of support or seeking connection, and also for the wider community to come together.

To mark the hub's one-year milestone, the Wellington City Mission will host a community street party at Whakamaru, on Saturday 1^st November, with food stalls, live performances and activities for tamariki.

This year Whakamaru has demonstrated the value of its 24/7 community facility that exists to provide stability, offer care, and restore dignity to those who are struggling. It brings together housing, food support, social connection, and community support services, all under one roof.

Whakamaru is home to 35 transitional housing apartments, and since opening 43 rangatahi have lived there, with 10 of them now moving into permanent housing.

Craig & Gail’s Café with its "pay as you can" approach has provided over 28,000 lunch meals since opening, while more than 6,000 shoppers have used the Whakamaru Social Supermarket in the past year.

Since opening, more than 62,000 manuhiri have walked through the doors at Whakamaru – each one finding a place of welcome, care, and community. More than 4,500 individuals and families have been supported through the Whakamaru Community Support and Financial Mentoring services since November 2024 and the 'Crisis Recovery Cafe' service has supported 545 people since its launch earlier this year.

Alongside the Ora Toa health centre which improves access to healthcare for Whakamaru visitors, the centre offers free shower, laundry, and toilet facilities that have been used over 5,500 times since opening, including a 24/7 shower facility.

Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge is pleased to see the vision taking shape.

“Whakamaru has been everything that we hoped it would be and more. Over the last twelve months, we have seen the Wellington community come together in extraordinary ways as we seek to create a community where there is no judgement of each other, where there is no "us and them”. 

“Wellington has embraced Whakamaru and in doing so, we start the journey towards a community where everyone belongs, everyone matters, and everyone is okay!”