What we do – Newtown Community Centre – Te Whare Hapori o Ngā Puna Waiora

Venue hire

Te Whare Hapori o Ngā Puna Waiora / Newtown Community Centre is based in the centre of Newtown, on the corner of Colombo and Rintoul Streets, as well as operating other venues around the suburb. With seven affordable venues, with different capacity, style and function, we can provide the perfect space for your community event, party, class, hui or much more!

Book a venue

Drop-in

At the main community centre (on the corner of Colombo and Rintoul Streets), we have a drop-in space. During our office hours, anyone is welcome to come and hang out in a comfy space, grab a free cuppa and use our wifi. Whether you need a place to shelter from the weather, want to chill before your yoga class or need a place to feed the baby – you’re welcome!

Community dinner organised by Newtown Community Centre

Other bits and bobs

We’re responsive to the needs of our suburb and get involved in lots of events and activities – for example, we helped organised the Newtown Stands Together community dinners after the March 15^th terror attack, got our community together online in a range of ways during COVID-19 lockdowns and supported our community after the Loafers Lodge fire tragedy. We also organise the Community Stage at the wonderful Newtown Festival – click here to contact the Festival team to apply to perform.

Kai in the community

Access to kai / food is essential to wellbeing. We can make referrals to local foodbanks, as well as having our own kai offerings.

Community Fridge

Our community fridge is stocked with donations from local cafes and local people with kai to spare. Anyone is welcome to grab a treat from the fridge. Donations are also welcome – e.g. home made preserves or excess zucchini from the garden. We cannot accept home cooked meals or leftovers. If you have something you’re not sure is suitable – contact us.

Free Soup Fridays

Everyone is welcome to our weekly Free Soup Friday – every Rāmere / Friday, 1-2pm at the main community centre (corner of Colombo & Rintoul Streets). Enjoy some delicious, nutritious veggie soup and connect with your community.

Quick Kai

A group of young people with intellectual disabilities get together once a week to cook up a nutritious batch of meals – learning skills and providing cheap kai for the community. The meals are frozen in individual serves and available for $2 from the community centre.

Advice & Support

There’s lots of access to free help and advice at the Community Centre, but if the help you need is not listed below, feel free to contact us and we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction.

Free Newtown Legal Advice Drop-in with rōia / lawyers from Community Law

Free legal advice from Community Law

If you have legal questions or issues, you can come along to see a FREE community lawyer on the first and third Wednesday of each month, 11am – 12pm. First come, first served – no appointment needed. This service is provided by Community Law / Te Whare Ture Hapori.

Justice of the Peace 10:30am –to12:30pm Monday to Friday, Upstairs at Newtown Community Centre

Justice of the Peace (JP)

Do you need documents certified? Or your ID verified by a Justice of the Peace? We have a roster of friendly, knowledgeable and qualified Justices of the Peace, ready to sort your document out at the community centre Monday-Friday, 10.30am - 12.30pm. FREE service, but bring coins if you need photocopies.

Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB)

Got a problem with your landlord? Confused about some forms or a bill? Issues with knowing your rights or obligations? Ask the friendly team at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau! The CAB is an independent organisation providing free and impartial advice to all – find out more here.