Call to make use of empty churches

File photo / Steven McNicholl

Hundreds of church buildings around Auckland stand empty throughout the week and the council is being encouraged to look at ways to save money by using them.

The Pacific community came up with the idea at a meeting discussing submissions on the Auckland Unleashed document, which charts a course for the region's future. The council's Pacific People's Advisory Panel led the meeting in West Auckland, the first of four forums to be held for the Pacific community around the region.

Chairman the Rev Uesifili UNasa said talks about business and economic strategies in the city got the public talking about how the number of Pacific Island churches in Auckland could be better used.

"It makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? The argument is, why do you have to build, say, for example, a new Citizens Advice Bureau or another council facility when you've got hundreds of churches already up and running around Auckland?

"... they don't get used often - only for choir practice and the odd wedding."

There are hundreds of churches around the Auckland region, many of them set up by Pacific Island communities. Many - particularly in the Manukau City area - are big structures complete with a hall and large carpark. Mr UNasa said it was almost a waste of money not to make use of the buildings, many of which are used only on Sundays.

"The churches are already the community's spiritual hub. But they could serve the community in so many other ways also, whether it be for social services programmes, preschools or homework centres.

Mr UNasa, who is the chaplain at the University of Auckland, said he knew of a number of inner-city churches which were providing carparks during the week. Others had set up daycare centres, jazzercise classes and homework centres.

"I think the general sense was that we need to be more innovative about how we use our Pacific resources - rather than keep spending money [erecting] buildings in other parts. The council needs to be more innovative with us ... It's the community working for the community."