In Our Patch
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington is a small city with a big heart - and the inner city suburbs of Te Aro and Wellington Central are ‘our patch’. With over 17,000 people living here - many in our 125+ apartment buildings - we know that we are a bit different from our leafy suburb neighbours. And we also know that our part of the world is full of people, organisations and initiatives that care about our community.
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The ICW Demystifying Collection
What’s happening with the Civic Square/Te Ngākau??
Lots! There’s work happening right now, and continues in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
What’s happening with the WCC’s Proposed District Plan?
On Thursday 14 March, the Council is meeting to discuss the Proposed District Plan together with the Independent Hearing Panel’s recommentations. It could be a lively meeting.
What is the ‘Reading deal’ all about?
The Reading complex on Courtenay Place is made up of the Reading Cinema building and two associated car parks. It is privately owned by an American company. Since the building was closed in 2019 for earthquake safety reasons, it has been left empty.
What are the different types of housing in the inner-city?
We recently asked the Council to help us unpack the different types of social housing available in the inner-city.
How often is Courtenay Place cleaned?
We recently asked the Team Lead of the Cleansing & Growth team within the Council’s Transport & Infrastructure area to let us know about the cleaning routines.
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Social services and community groups in the city
These are some of the community organisations helping to support vulnerable people in the city.
Community Networks Wellington Inc (CNW)
CNW is a not-for-profit organisation that actively supports Wellington's social services sector organisations and community groups. “We enable our members to connect, empower and support each other - face to face, in real time. We are an incorporated society, and are registered with the Charities Commission (CC10484)
At CNW we provide a vital platform for local non-profit organisations and community groups to gather together. Our monthly meetings allow our members to collaborate, share and explore important issues impacting our sector.Have your issues raised and heard at Wellington City Council through their relationship with CNW. Come for the warmth and shared connection, stay for the knowledge and equipping you'll receive!”
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Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust
”Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust is a charity dedicated to making a difference within our community by providing support and transitional accommodation to homeless women in central Wellington. These women are in vulnerable positions and have nowhere to call home. They come to us needing hands-on support and a safe environment to rebuild their lives. We provide our women with up to three months temporary accommodation while they get back on their feet and navigate the complex systems within our society.”
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DCM
”DCM (formerly known as Inner City Ministry and then Downtown Community Ministry) has been working in the city of Wellington since 1969 to “focus on the needs of, and to help empower, those marginalised in the city” (DCM Constitution). DCM has adopted the byline “together we can end homelessness in Wellington” which reflects our current focus on the needs of one key marginalised group – people experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of homelessness, supporting them on a journey towards sustainable housing and wellbeing.”
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Wellington City Mission
”We’re a charitable trust affiliated to the Anglican Church. We have been helping those most in need in the Wellington region for 118 years having been formed in 1904 from St. Peter’s Church. In 1929, an Act of Parliament established The Mission as a separate entity.”
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Providing advice in the city
Community Law
Community Law provides free legal help. The legal issues with which they can help are wide-ranging and include, for example, issues relating to tenancy, debt disputes, immigration, benefits and consumer law.
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Aratohu Tenant Advocacy
The Aratohu Tenant Advocacy is a comprehensive online resource that provides support and guidance to tenants and their advocates. Aratohu is the te reo Māori word for guideline, and has been used here to identify this resource as a guided pathway to navigate through renting issues so that tenants know their rights, are empowered to act on them, and can achieve positive housing outcomes.
Read more here
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Feeding people in the city
These are some of the organisations helping to share food in inner-city Wellington.
The Free Store
”We freely redistribute quality, fresh surplus food from Wellington's eateries directly to those in need of it. Everyone is welcome…. It is a travesty that people in our neighbourhood go hungry when there is perfectly edible food that is wasted. The Free Store ensures that our inner-city dwelling friends have access to quality food where cost isn't a barrier. No questions asked and no strings attached. Anyone is welcome to partake in the bounty. The Free Store is an inclusive space built on a foundation of mutual respect, generosity and friendship.”
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Kaibosh Food Rescue
”At Kaibosh we supply food to charities and community groups supporting people in need….Operating in Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Kāpiti and Horowhenua, Kaibosh is New Zealand’s first food rescue organisation. We link the food industry with community groups that support people in need ensuring that quality surplus food reaches those who are struggling rather than being needlessly discarded. This benefits both our community and our environment….”
Find out more
What to get involved?
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EKTA NZ - DNA Food Bank
In September 2020, EKTA recognized a need for an ethnic food bank in Wellington. “Every Saturday from 10:30am-12pm, we offer free Indian and Middle Eastern groceries at the St Peter’s undercroft (entrance from basement door in the garden).”
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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Everybody Eats
Everybody Eats is a pay-as-you-feel dining concept for everyone. “We serve delicious, chef-prepared meals that feed bellies, not bins. Every Sun, Mon & Tue we are open at LTD, in Dixton Street.”
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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The Compassion Soup Kitchen - Te Pūaroha
”Anyone can come in for a meal in the Soup Kitchen. We do not ask people why they come – we provide a friendly welcome to all … serving take-away meals Monday to Saturday, 12-1pm.”
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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BGI Community Kitchen
“Healthy food education and skill building, social gatherings, social enterprise, food waste, well being and generosity are keys to its success. On certain afternoons the kitchen will burst into life as kids from various Wellington high schools get chopping and mixing, creating simple, delicious, affordable dishes. The Kitchen Club instills vital life skills for young people on nutrition, budgeting, and well-being while making it fun.
Redistributed food we gather from Kaibosh Food Rescue helps us achieve our vision of sharing, giving, teaching and connecting. Whānau food-sharing, social gatherings, community get-togethers and social events are all on the menu. Each week family groups, volunteers, programme participants and young people all get together to share in our exciting new Community Kitchen project.”
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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Good Bitches Baking
“Good Bitches Baking is a network of people who want to show kindness to those in their communities who are having a tough time. We do this by baking them a delicious treat.
There are too many people out there having a tough time: families with children in hospital; those using food banks and soup kitchens; residents in hospice and their loved ones; women and children fleeing domestic violence. We hope to give them just a moment of sweetness in their time of crisis.”
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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Being healthy in the city
Wellington Acupuncture Community Clinic
This group provides free acupuncture sessions on Thursdays between 1pm and 3pm in the ‘undercroft’ space at St Peter's Church on Willis Street. They advise “no appointment necessary” - this is their story.
“This community clinic offers acupuncture treatment to anyone who seeks treatment in the Wellington region. The inspiration for this community clinic emerged from a strong desire to serve those in need in the Wellington region. Our community clinic is available for anyone who wants to experience acupuncture treatment offered by trained and qualified practitioners.”
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Steady As You Go (Saygo)
”Our ‘Steady as You Go’ exercise classes are available around the Wellington region. These classes are designed to improve strength and balance and help prevent a fall.”
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Orange Sky - in Wellington
This is a charity organisation that you might see around the city in their big orange van.
Orange Sky “provides free laundry, warm showers and genuine conversation to people experiencing homelessness… After growing our laundry and shower service all over Australia, we knew it was time to look across the ditch and start helping the 41,000 New Zealanders who were experiencing homelessness. Now we are proudly operating three services in New Zealand with future expansion plans on the horizon.”
This Stuff story explains more
And this is their website
Want to get involved?
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Seniors in the city
The inner-city is enriched by the diversity of people living here including people with skills and knowledge built up over time. They may be called ‘seniors’ by some, but they are far from being defined by that label. What is available in the city to support their experience, interests and needs?
Age Concern
”At Age Concern, we are committed to promoting the rights, wellbeing and quality of life for older people in our region. Our vision is for our older people to be a thriving, respected and engaged part of our community.”
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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Grey Power Wellington Central
Grey Power lobbies on issues that affect the over 50s, superannuitants and the very elderly. This includes any issues that are likely to impact on New Zealanders in the future, such as the rising cost of power. It works alongside many other organisations that support the same target group in different ways, all supporting the rights and futures of older New Zealanders and the community.
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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Senior Net
SeniorNet and SeniorHangouts are a community learning network that supports and motivates people to confidently use technology in their every day lives.
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Probus Wellington
Friendship, Fellowship and Fun in Retirement. This is the place for active retirees interested not only in monthly meetings but also a diverse range of regular activities and interesting outings.
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Living Streets Aotearoa
Many people move into the inner-city to enjoy its walkability - including seniors. This New Zealand organisation is “for people on foot, promoting walking-friendly communities”. It has local branches and affiliates throughout New Zealand. The Wellington branch organises initiatives such as regular weekly walks to explore the city.
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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U3A Wellington
The University of the Third Age (U3A) was founded to provide continuing learning opportunities for retired people. U3A Wellington City is a very active organisation based in Wellington, with a membership of over 1000. Activities include weekly lectures, a range of interest groups and occasional visits to places of interest.
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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Office for Seniors
New Zealand has an ageing population – we're expected to have 1.2 million people aged over 65 by 2034. This will have implications on housing, employment, health, financial capability and social issues. The Office for Seniors provides information to seniors and is a key advisor to the Government about the issues and concerns of older people.
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Creativity in the city
Inner-city Wellington is full of creatives - students and practictioners in the arts, theatre, architecture, creative industries, the technology and game design sectors, and more. These are some of the examples of what’s happening here.
Welly Collective on Courtenay
When the Underground Market under Frank Kitts Park closed, we lost access to a wonderful community of our local arts and crafts people. But perhaps some of them are popping up again - this time, sharing their wares in the light and bright Welly Collective on Courtenay space in the Reading Centre complex.
See what’s on offer here
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Urban Dream Brokerage Wellington
It’s so depressing to walk passed a closed shop, knowing that it once contributed something to the spirit and heart of our inner city. Urban Dream Brokerage (UBD) aims to change that. It’s working on innovative ways to bring new life to closed spaces - with a focus on providing a space for new ideas from artists, creatives and social practitioners in the city.
Find out what they’ve been doing here
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Dream Girls Art Collective
The work of this Collective is bringing to life some of our inner city streets and walls. Made up of Grace-Smith, Kiel and Xoë Hall, the Dream Girls first collaborated on a mural in November 2020, choosing the name to make their partnership official. Their most recent work has changed a neglected Tory Street fence into a riot of colour.
See more of their work here
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Finding the art on the walls
If you’re walking in the inner city you’ll find the sides of buildings, or fences, or walls may have been brightened up with a bit of art. If you want to find out more about what you are seeing, it’s name and who created it.
Check out this map.
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Contemporary art focus
The City Gallery can be found in the heart of the city - Te Ngākau Civic Square - and is always an intriguing place to explore - and it’s free!
“City Gallery Wellington is a dynamic cultural presence in the capital city of Aotearoa New Zealand, showcasing contemporary art from New Zealand and around the world. It is a venue for the research, display and debate about modern and contemporary visual art.”
Read more here.
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Gardening in the city
If you’re living in an apartment building you might be missing the delight of having a garden where you can dig into the soil, plant a seed and see it thrive. But there is a way to be a gardener in the city.
Te MĀRAmatanga / Terrace Tunnel Community Garden
At BGI, we know that food knowledge starts with a relationship with the whenua (land). This is an indigenous philosophy that Head Chef Michael acknowledges – he’s leading the development of Te MĀRAmatanga (location: 25 MacDonald Crescent, Te Aro) and our orchard, which are both just up the road from BGI!
Our edible green spaces are less about producing mountains of food and more about cultivating care. While community gardening benefits physical health (with nutritious food), it also uplifts mental, spiritual, and social wellbeing. If you're interested in reconnecting with the community and urban whenua through gardening, please get involved! Click the volunteer button and like us on Facebook to hear about regular working bees or follow us on Instagram
Find out more here
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Growers of Wellington
“Whether it’s a workspace, apartment or back yard, the Growers of Wellington project provides creative interventions and events that help get everyone growing. Building up our soil sovereignty, food resilience skills and seasonal connectivity within this urban context is needed more than ever in 2021. Come along to a workshop, popup nursery or working bee. Get inspired by amazing local growers and find out how to get involved in urban farming and native restoration projects. We’re offering 12 Lunch time Workshops, Monthly Working bees on Bond Street, Demonstration gardens and fun creative antics.”
And read their amazing summary of what’s happening in the city featuring:
KaiCycle Urban Farm, Kōkihi, Houghton Bay Farm, Papa Taiao Earthcare, Nikau Cafe’s rooftop garden, Chews Lane Apartments composting endeavours, The Urban Farmers’ Alliance, For The Love of Bees, ‘Farmers In The Field’, The Edmund Hilary Fellowship, Pure Advantage’s Regenerative Agriculture webisode series, GrowSpace Wellington, The Sustainability Trust’s two food related initiatives: Food Is Free and Fruit Tree Guardians. Toru Education, The Sustainable Business Network, Innermost Gardens and Seeds To Feeds.
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Sustainability Trust - Food is Free
We believe in connecting communities through sustainable agriculture. We support anyone in Wellington to learn how to garden and help communities to set up shared gardens. If you’re interested in growing food, we’d love for you to be a part of Food is Free.
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Sustainability Trust - Fruit Tree Guardians
We support a network of gardeners who take care of fruit trees in community spaces.
Strong fruit trees need a great guardian. The Fruit Tree Guardian volunteer programme gets communities working together to bring healthy fruit trees to local neighbourhoods. Each year we give free fruit trees to neighbourhood groups who have a good spot of shared land for a fruit tree in Wellington.
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Youth in the city
Growing up in a city is very different from living in a small town or rural Aotearoa where everyone knows your name. These are some of the organisations in our inner city helping young people to make connections with their peers.
Zeal
”Welcome to our safe, local and online spaces in Wellington where young people like you can hang, meet people, learn skills, and overcome the tough stuff. Surrounded by a team that walks alongside you with realness, compassion, and aroha – no matter what. Zeal Wellington is like a whānau, where you’re seen, heard, valued and accepted, and have a real shot to thrive on your terms. Drop into hangs or enquire through our website.”
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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BGI (Boys and Girls Institute)
“BGI is a youth development organization based in Wellington city. We offer a range of youth programmes including mentoring, youth groups, youth leadership and family support. Our heart is in developing young people holistically and relationally (physical, psychological, spiritual and social). We engage and collaborate with young people and families, so they achieve their dreams and improve the wellbeing of themselves and others”
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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Cycling in the city
Bikespace
Bikespace is a free community bike workshop on Cable St, by Te Papa. It’s open to anyone who wants to learn how to maintain their bike, or investigate a bike issue alongside a more experienced mechanic. While the container has regular opening hours (seasonal), we also offer a Mobile Service which can come out to work with community groups or workplaces (or apartment buildings with a communal space!).
Find out more
Facebook
To book the Mobile Service groups, email bikespace@wcc.govt.nz .
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Cycle Wellington
“We’re passionate about making it better for people who get around Wellington by bike. We want everyone who wants to ride to be able to. We want to see more people on bikes, more often.”
Example of cycling in the city (video)
Find out more
Want to get involved?
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Children in the city
Plunket
Whānau Āwhina Plunket is a charity and Aotearoa’s largest support service for the health and wellbeing of tamariki under-five and their whānau. Whānau Āwhina Plunket is committed to giving every New Zealand child the best possible start.
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Parent Help
Parent Help is a Wellington based charity (CC10475) that has been offering services to families since 1989. We provide help with all parenting issues from the smallest to the most serious. At the heart of Parent Help are the people who work, volunteer and support the organisation.
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Singing & music in the city
Wellington Community Choir
Wellington Community Choir aims to provide all people, whatever their background or ability, with an opportunity to sing together. More than 3,500 people have sung with Wellington Community Choir since it started in 2005. Usually there are around 70 of us singing together each week.
Want to join - find out more here
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Wellington City Chorus
Wellington City Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International. This non-profit organisation is dedicated to teaching, learning and singing four-part harmony, barbershop style, through performances and teaching, perpetuating and creating a love for this style of A Cappella singing in our community…. Wellington City Chorus currently has around 75 members, having grown by leaps and bounds since its inception in 1998. We always welcome new members so come along to a rehearsal to find out if barbershop is for you!
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Culture Embassy Band
a 10-piece NZ band of varying cultural backgrounds, hence the name. The cultural diversity of the band is reflected in the sound of the music a fusion of African styles, Reggae/Ska, Jazz and Afro-Latin rhythms.
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Recycling in the city
Sustainability Trust - recycling programmes
Got e-waste, old bicycles, child booster seats, plastic bottle tops, metal lids, small metal items, dental care products, silicone, wool, Bata gumboots or Little Yellow Bird clothing items? Don’t send them to landfill, bring them to us.
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Kaicycle composting
Kaicycle composting takes compostable scraps from homes, offices and small businesses and recycles them into living compost. We offer a bicycle-powered compost collection service that operates in Wellington City and the surrounding suburbs. We are beginning to offer a compost drop-off service for homes.
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Useful contact numbers
DCM (Downtown Community Mission). 2 Lukes Lane, Te Aro. 04 384 7699. office@dcm.org.nz
Wellington City Mission. 19 Gordon Place, Newtown. 04 245 9000. enquiries@wcm.org.nz
Wellington Women’s Homeless Trust. Te Whare Nukunoa. 107 Manners Street, Te Aro. 04 384 7870. www.whwt.org.nz
Wellington Women’s Refuge. 44 Wigan Street, Te Aro. 0800 733 8430. advocate@wwr.org.nz
Te Aro Health Centre. 2 Lukes Lane or 331 Willis Street, Te Aro
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Useful telephone numbers
WCM Food Support. 0800 245 900
WCM Housing Support. 0800 246 090
WCM Social Work Support. 0800 245 900
Women’s Refuge. 24/7 Crisis Line. 0800 733 843
DCM Support number (9am-5pm). 0800 119 689
Te Aro Health Centre. 04 385 0255
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