Why this year’s Christmas is different for the Auckland City Mission

From Eden Park to Marae in South Auckland, the wider community is getting behind the Auckland City Mission like never before this festive season, but we still need help to ensure all children get the Christmas they deserve.

The Mission is currently meeting the needs of homeless and vulnerable Aucklanders out of our temporary home in Union St in the CBD while construction work gets under way for HomeGround, our transformational new facility at our Hobson Street site.

Auckland City Missioner Chris Farrelly says that has forced some changes to this year’s operation.

“From today we begin distributing our emergency Christmas food parcels and presents – but instead of doing that from Hobson Street, thanks to enormous community support we are operating out of Eden Park, the Ngā Whare Waatea Marae in Mangere and Papakura Marae.”

“We are thankful our clients will no longer have to queue from midnight outside our Hobson St building just to ensure a little Christmas cheer for their families.”

Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner says the stadium is thrilled to be able to play a part in bringing some cheer to families in need.

“The Park has sown a rich history for itself over the past 115 years and throughout that community has remained at its centre. We are committed to utilising the Park for more than just rugby and cricket and to have the opportunity to support a worthy cause like the City Mission this festive season is fitting.”

The Manukau Urban Maori Authority’s (MUMA) Ngā Whare Waatea Marae in Mangere and Papakura Marae are also working closely with the Mission to distribute food parcels, presents and Work and Income support.

“MUMA has a longstanding partnership with the City Mission and it is only fitting that we open up Nga Whare Waatea Marae for this purpose. Our goal is and always has been - to serve whānau in South Auckland. This is at the core of everything we do. As kaitiaki, or guardian, of our community it’s a privilege to be part of this collective effort to share a little extra Christmas spirit with whānau,” says Wyn Osborne, MUMA CEO.
Tony Kake, the CEO of Papakura Marae adds “We are absolutely committed to serving our Local Community in this way. If our support can bring a cheer to a family or a smile to a child face over this festive season - Awesome! “Manaaki Whanau I nga waa katoa”

Missioner Chris Farrelly says over the years people have had to travel at great cost from South Auckland to get our assistance – now we are grateful that due to the generosity from these two marae the mission can now go to the people.

NB - distribution begins at Papakura Marae on Wednesday 12 December.
Please could media respect the mission clients who are needing our help this year and not just show up at distribution centres. Please go through the contact below to arrange interviews.

Donations can be made at www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz

Auckland City Mission – pre shot Christmas material

1 – Grabs from the Auckland City Mission storage depot.
00” Talent 1 – Auckland City Mission distribution, Jamal Maxell
26” Talent 2 – Auckland City Mission storeperson, Sam Walmsley
1’24” Talent 3 – Darryl Cavenett, Volunteer
2’03 Talent 4 – Leticia Paula, Volunteer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12HxYRTp6BleZnh4wc10OlR3foXD-0mnn/view

2. Auckland City Mission Storage depot – broll
Exterior shots, signage, mission car arriving, Xmas signs, interiors – team sorting and bagging toiletries, inside storage rooms, carrying loads of bags, boxing up food, taping boxes, stamping with Mission stamp, shifting boxes on pallets, unpacking food and shifting around cans.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hdVC4Db0oE_ATI_kFsoeFvzbp0JXjzmo/view?usp=sharing

3 – Papakura Marae CEO Tony Kake and 2’51”Kei Mitchell, Papakura Marae – English
00” Tony Kake grabs
2’02” Tony shows us a foodbox and presents
2’37” shots of foodbox and presents
2’51” Kei Mitchell grab
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OkalOYFfPM5gM1HiAJjbkzpJh9VT23MA/view

4 – 00” Papakura Marae CEO Tony Kake and 1’25” Kei Mitchell Papakura Marae - Te Reo
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q7fClVCJJlPquPOcNNAsMa7WtWPJgqKe/view?usp=sharing

5 – Papakura Marae vision including foodbox –
00” – 40” Kei sorting clothes in front of marae mural
41” – Marae GVs including inside Whare Nui
2’31 – Marae health centre and signage
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MYXd_HQmMAeS4EhbvBuEPUdP8HztDA7E/view

6 – Manukau Urban Maori Authority CEO Wyn Osborne – English
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1at6GI0AXHlWQ5XT-biE6A5xZvS2UMemg/view

7-Manukau Urban Maori Authority Senior Manager, Bernie O’Donnell - Te Reo
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13Jz-yRUAZMkeI2ZlOo5iVfgeIm_ZKntP/view

8-MUMA’s Ngā Whare Waatea Marae - entrance GVs, signs and exterior shots
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Q0rj4lOycKeIFCF07s9y-e8FEESNthy/view

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