Media release
April 2015







Community lifestyle centre a win for all in Otahuhu

Te Rito Community Lifestyle Centre is Otahuhu’s newest community resource. Opening at 7 Piki Thompson Way on Thursday 14 May, this new initiative sees an historic Otahuhu building brought back to life, to connect people from all over the community. Te Rito will provide a central resource for all local residents who are interested in improving their health and fitness, learning a new skill or connecting with others in the neighbourhood.

Backing the initiative is kaupapa Maori organisation Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau Trust, which supports people with intellectual disabilities of all ethnicities to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. Te Rito Community Lifestyle Centre brings together this work with their additional focus on connecting communities and supporting people to have fun and engage in healthy activities.

"We want to give mokopuna opportunities to get involved in the community,” says Tania Thomas, CEO. “The centre will be home to a wide range of activities and our aim is to create an environment where people feel comfortable and secure taking part. It is about something much bigger than Te Roopu Taurima; Te Rito is a place for the Otahuhu community.”

The site of Te Rito Community Lifestyle Centre holds particular significance for those involved in the new initiative. Since it was originally opened in 1951, the building has served the community as a place of learning, a centre for local sporting clubs and as a home for the Maori Warden’s office. Once sentenced to demolition, it has been given new life, thanks to Te Roopu Taurima’s initiative.

“The centre will offer an environment for different groups to meet and interact,” says Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board Council Member Walter Togiamua. “Such facilities are limited in our area, so it’s great to see Te Roopu Taurima being so proactive in creating a space that encourages and facilitates interactions between mokopuna and the community. We’re looking forward to the opportunities this will offer for locals to get involved.”

Te Rito Community Lifestyle Centre will offer the Otahuhu community access to facilities at very reasonable rates. It will encourage health, fitness, personal growth and skills development, while also generating income for Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau Trust to help fund their vital services.

The centre will be open to the public on 14 May, following a 10am powhiri and welcoming celebration that is open to all. Te Rito is having a free family open day from 10am - 2pm on Saturday 16 May and the whole community is invited to come along, join the celebrations and get a first look at what’s on offer!

To find out more about Te Rito’s services, to see the programme, book the Community Lifestyle Centre visit www.facebook.com/teritocommunitylifestylecentre

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Editor’s Note:

About Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau Trust
Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau Trust has offices in Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Christchurch and is the country’s largest Kaupapa Maori disability services organisation. Their philosophical belief is to provide people with an intellectual impairment the best possible quality of life, a safe and healthy environment and support that promotes personal dignity and respect at all times. Although a Kaupapa Maori organisation, Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau Trust works with people with intellectual impairments from all cultures and walks of life.

Rangatiratanga mo tatou katoa i runga i nga tikanga o tena o tena o tena
Ensuring empowerment and self-determination regardless of disability, age, gender, race or status.

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