Founding Whakatipu Community Hub Chair Stands Down
The man whose vision of a community hub that houses suitable, specifically designed spaces for community groups in an environment that encourages sharing of resources is standing down as Chair for health reasons, but commitment to his vision hasn’t waned.
John MacDonald has a rich history of supporting community including five years as Lakes District Councillor, during which time he chaired the Mayoral Housing Task Force and served on the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust. He has also spent eight years in various governance roles with Te Whatu Ora Southern. In earlier years he was three years chairing the Queenstown Winter Marketing Group and spent a further three years as the founding chair of Destination Queenstown.
In 2019, tired of a stream of stories about community organisations losing offices to development or higher rents, he launched a trust with the ambitious vision of a dedicated community hub that would provide a permanent, secure and affordable home for community service organisations. The Whakatipu Community Hub was to be modelled on similar successful initiatives in Tauranga (Kollective) and Christchurch (The Lofts).
Four years on, the Trust is well on its way towards MacDonald’s vision with stakeholders and potential tenants included in discussions, community land secured, design work underway and early funding in place.
MacDonald’s Parkinsonism-related Multiple System Atrophy – P (MSA-P) is moving quickly and he now needs to relinquish his role as chair but will continue as a trustee. Wednesday’s regular Trust Meeting is expected to name an interim replacement chair.
“I did not expect to have to give up this role which is so dear to my heart, but this is the hand I’ve been dealt. I will continue as a trustee and I have full confidence in my friends and colleagues to see the project through to fruition.”
“Of course this vision and project is much larger than one person and there are many people working to make it happen trustees, stakeholders, our wonderfully supportive patrons and community leaders” says MacDonald.
Architect David Wingate, who delivered Tauranga’s Kollective, well understands a health challenge – he’s a kidney transplant survivor – and agrees that the project is in good heart and a strong position.
“There is so much good will around this project. Everyone I talk to speaks highly of it and wants to see it happen. John has created something very special and the Trust is committed to ensuring its physical delivery.”
The hub’s Trustees too have only the highest accolades for MacDonald’s work and are committed to seeing the project through.
“ We thank John wholeheartedly for his service and for ensuring the creation of a robust organisation to deliver the project,” says trustee Ron Mackersey. “John has inspired people to put their efforts, time and money into this project.”
The Whakatipu Community Hub is envisaged as a cluster of buildings that will provide suitable, specifically designed spaces for groups in an environment that encourages sharing of resources. There will also be meeting and seminar rooms and welcoming public spaces. It is to be delivered through a partnership between central government, private donors, community trusts, local government and the social services sector to provide badly needed community facilities.
Whakatipu Charitable Hub Trust trustees are: John MacDonald, Darren Rewi, Ron Mackersy, Raymond Key, Alexa Forbes, Heath Copland, Hamish Wilton and Jennifer Belmont. Trust patrons Diana and Dick Hubbard funded set up costs for the project and continue to support its development. Professional service providers are Moore Markhams Otago Limited, Mackersy Property and Duncan Cotterill. An interim chair will be named following the Trusts next meeting on Wednesday (May 31) afternoon.
For further information contact:
CE Sharon Salmons 021 942 328 admin@whakatipuhub.org.nz
https://www.whakatipuhub.org.nz
https://www.facebook.com/WhakatipuHub