The ultimate man cave in Omokoroa

Mike Hayden and Dick Megchelse with tools at the ready for the beginnings of Omokoroa MenzShed. Photo / Rebecca Mauger

It's tool time for tinkerers in Omokoroa.

The newly formed Omokoroa MenzShed group has found a home to establish their hammer-happy group at the old buildings on the corner of Prole and Omokoroa roads.

Soon men will be able to put their woodworking and handyman skills to good use as the group has signed a caretaker agreement for the site. About 25 men have put their hands and tools up to join the charity, which encourages men to socialise, tinker and help with odd jobs and community projects.

President Mike Hayden says establishing the group has been a year in the making after a representative from Waihi Beach MenzShed came to talk to Waihi Lions. They lobbied for the use of the old pavilion building but council suggested the Prole Rd site.

''Mental health is a big aspect of Menzshed,'' Mike says. ''A lot of the men, they were working 40-50 hours a week in business and meeting people all the time and then they retire and go down in a screaming heap."

''They might only have a small shed out the back and this is great for them, it gets them out of the house, they can make things and help the community,'' says Dick Megchelse.

''People can come and do their own projects as long as it's not for commercial benefit, and you don't always have your own tools. Come along and share ideas. All the guys have different skills and we can learn from each other.''

The men had an open day at the weekend to recruit and make a start fitting out the sheds. They are anticipating the agreement with the council will be for three to five years so members are looking for a permanent site over the next few years.

They've got a big job ahead working on the buildings and grounds, Mike says.

''But that's okay, that's what we're here for. We are in the process of doing up the buildings before we start to acquire tools and machinery. We need to ensure safety and security is in place before we start working in them.''

Already there are community requests lined up for the men to start on, including making chairs, gutterboards, wooden toys and pest traps.

Recruiting teenagers or women into the group will come about further down the track due to supervision and training requirements but they are looking for volunteers to help look after the grounds. Shed supervisors will be recruited to look after the health and safety of members on a day-to-day basis.

Omokoroa MenzShed would like to thank all who have helped set up the charity. They've received donations from Omokoroa Centre Trust and BayTrust and have had many goods and services donated including paint, a kitchen and fridge, machinery, security system, hot water cylinder and various expertise.

The annual fee set by the club is $50 and an application form is available from Allan Hughes at 54days@gmail.com.