Kerikeri Men's Shed’s new building was formally opened in February 2021. The group now has the opportunity to buy the property, but must raise around $1 million to do so.
Kerikeri Men's Shed’s new building was formally opened in February 2021. The group now has the opportunity to buy the property, but must raise around $1 million to do so.
Kerikeri’s Men’s Shed has provided a space for men to use their skills to help the community, nurture their own wellbeing, and meet others for a good yarn for around a decade.
At the shed, on Kapiro Rd, older men work on practical tasks individuallyor as a group.
The group opened a new 700sqm facility in 2021, and it has been thriving. Now they have the opportunity to buy the property - and secure their long-term future - but first they have the daunting task of raising around $1 million to do so.
Kerikeri Men’s Shed president John Ellis said the landlords had generously created the opportunity for the group to buy it from them.
He acknowledged it would be hard, but they had four years to make it happen.
“The cost is about $1.5 million, but we already have around $500,000 accounted for, so we need to raise about $1 million. We’ve got four years, well, about three years and nine months, to get the rest together and we’re determined to get there.”
A wealthy benefactor would help, but failing that, it would be a big effort.
Kerikeri Men's Shed makes and repairs items for the community, and provides a place for men to continue to share their skills and learn new ones.
Ellis said Men’s Sheds around the country were recognised as a great way to help men’s mental health, particularly after finishing work or becoming a widower, as they were a supportive environment for men to get together and continue making a contribution to their community.
He said if people wanted to help with the fundraising they could drop off items that needed fixing to the shed and the members would fix them and sell them to help raise funds. Or they could email kkmensshed@xtra.gmail.co.
“The Men’s Shed is so important for helping men, particularly at times of need, if they have lost their loved one or feeling lonely after retiring or just wanting some male company. There are people here who may have been through similar and can help. Sometimes it’s just a case of having a cuppa with somebody that understands.
“You get to pass on the skills you have learned, you can be creative with those skill and also learn some new skills.”
Ellis said the sheds were always looking for new members, and the Kerikeri branch had a diverse range of skills and experience among its members, from retired engineers and tradies to a professor of immunology and one member who had a particular interest in military drones and their guidance systems - not that he was intending to make one.
“There are heaps of men out there that really need the Men’s Shed and would really benefit from coming along and getting involved - whether that’s using those lifelong skills of just having a chat and game of cards at smoko.“
