Spoons and Boxes

The Wanaka Community Workshop welcomes donations of wood and construction materials. The MenShed Team use the material to create products which support the local community. Some of this material is large. Some is small – just off-cuts. This week the team have been focusing re-using the off-cuts. We have been building a range of wooden… Continue reading Spoons and Boxes

Planters and tool box’s

MINT is an organisation which works with members of our community who have intellectual difficulties. Every month the MenShed team operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop hosts a visit from MINT. The visit is part of a comprehensive program developed by MINT. For each visit the MenShed team fabricate a project for our visitors to… Continue reading Planters and tool box’s

Repair Revolution

This week the Wanaka Community Workshop hosted the Wanaka Repair Event. The Repair Event was organised and delivered by Wanaka Wastebusters. The Wanaka Repair Event was one of four similar events that Wanaka Wastebusters have organised across the district. The Event bought together volunteers who repaired clothing, electrical and electronic goods, bicycles and furniture. Local… Continue reading Repair Revolution

Working to reduce waste

This week the MenShed team hosted a film crew. The crew were at the Wanaka Community Workshop preparing a video for BREEN Construction. With their head office in Alexandra BREEN Construction has been a leader of the construction industry across the Upper Clutha since 1939. Part of that leadership focuses upon minimising construction waste. The… Continue reading Working to reduce waste

In the dog box

This week Gerald and Jim Bob completed one of the largest projects undertaken by the MenShed team. Six Dog Boxes. The Dog Box’s will house dogs that are deployed to manage a range of animal pests across our region. Each has been built from materials that would have otherwise gone to waste. Great stuff Gerald… Continue reading In the dog box

WAO Summit

This week Wanaka has hosted the WAO Summit as part of the 2022 Festival for Sustaintability. The Wanaka Community Workshop was an active participant in the Festival. The Workshop hosted a cycle maintenance event early in October. During the Summit the Workshop hosted a session focussed upon reducing waste resulting from construction. Members of the… Continue reading WAO Summit

Making a difference

Every so often folk drop into the Wanaka Community Workshop seeking that something be repaired. Recently the team from the MenShed completed a stand for a peice of garden art. It was an important peice, designed and built by their late Dad. It’s great having the opportunity to make a difference.

A step up for the bus trial

A three month trial of a community bus service linking Wanaka, Albert Town Hawea Flat and Lake Hawea is underway. The trial has been developed by Community Networks / LINK. This week the Team at the MenShed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop received a call for help. Could we construct a light but strong… Continue reading A step up for the bus trial

Biketober

During this month the Wanaka Community Workshop hosted a couple of training sessions. Each session attracted people in search of advice on how best to maintain their bikes. The sessions were part of a much larger Biketober program of events which run right through the month of October. Biketober is managed and deployed by WAO… Continue reading Biketober

A visit from Pact

Pact is a Otago based agency supporting people to lead fulfilling lives in the community. In our district Pact supports over 300 adults and youth with intellectual disabilities, mental health issues and young people referred from Oranga Tamariki. Recently the MenShed team hosted our first visit from Pact that included support people along with those… Continue reading A visit from Pact

fabricate is on a roll

fabricate is up and running at the Wanaka Community Workshop. fabricate is all about textiles and sewing. Program’s to teach sewing and pattern making skills has commenced. More are planned. Members of our community are are dropping in to undertake their own work and repairs. Its great to see people learning new skills – taking… Continue reading fabricate is on a roll

A helping hand

The Wanaka Community Workshop provides a range of opportunities for our local community. This includes travelers who pass through our town and region. Recent projects undertaken by the MenShed team have benefited from the time and skills of visitors from France. As members of the Workshop during their period in Wanaka our visitors took the… Continue reading A helping hand

Thanks

Over the last month the MenShed completed a few projects for the Montessori Childrens House in Wanaka. The projects included a table for kids to practice their wood working skills, a cupboard in which to store their wood working tools and finally, a table upon which they can grow plants and seedlings. This week Montessori… Continue reading Thanks

Kids nail it

Recently the team at the MenShed completed a work table for the kids at Montessori Childrens House – a pre school in Wanaka. This week a small cupboard was delivered by the team. Mounted on wheels for easy moving about, the cupboard will store the tools the kids can use on the work table. Its… Continue reading Kids nail it

Kahu Youth visits

With school holidays the MenShed team at the Wanaka Community Workshop this week hosted a holiday program organised by Kahu Youth. We loved having them. Everyone took away a simple planter box they built from recycled materials. A few lessons were learnt and many took home a little paint – on their clothes.

Grow Wanaka collaboration

Grow Wanaka has created vibrant educational hub at their community garden where folk can learn, connect and grow The community garden is located on Outlet Road, Wanaka – just above the Clutha River. Community Networks food security project operating from the Wanaka Community Hub have led the development of food banks and food exchanges across… Continue reading Grow Wanaka collaboration

New desks for MINT

Over recent weeks the team at the MenShed has designed and built two tables for the MINT Trust. The tables can be adjusted – the tops can be raised or lowered. The tops can also be set at an angle making them suitable for drawing or painting. Construction of the tables has involved fine wood… Continue reading New desks for MINT

A safe spot for skinks

Skinks and geckos are lizards – the only two native families of lizard found in New Zealand. Our skink and gecko species have been around a long time – at least 20 million years. They occur only in New Zealand. Some species are restricted to habitats found only in Otago. As these habitats change, our skinks and gecko’s… Continue reading A safe spot for skinks

Saws join the workshop

Wanaka is a great community. This week members of our community invested their support for the Wanaka Community Workshop by donating machinery. In turn the machinery will be used by the Workshop to support the Wanaka community Our scroll saw has seen great service with its previous owner. Over the last decade over 4000 wooden… Continue reading Saws join the workshop

Time for a break

The MenShed team operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop love making things. That said the team also enjoy each other company. Mostly this takes place over a cup of tea of coffee at the Workshop. From time to time we also get out. This month we had a picnic with the Friends of Bullock Creek.… Continue reading Time for a break

Homes for weta

The Upper Clutha is home to an amazing array of insects. Many are unique reflecting our dry and alpine environments. Iconic among New Zealand insects is the Weta. Species of Weta are found among our highest alpine peaks down to forests along the shores of our lakes. Recently the team at the MenShed have been… Continue reading Homes for weta

Waxing the Boards

The Winter snows abound on the hills and mountains above Wanaka. Its great to see large numbers of visitors back in town. It’s not only visitors who ski but locals as well. This includes supporters of the Wanaka Community Workshop. While we are known for working with wood and soon textiles, we do have other… Continue reading Waxing the Boards

Time for a brew

The team at the MenShed gathers each Tuesday and Thursday mornings. During this time we make stuff – often from recycled materials and always for the community. However during this time there is always time for a brew. Its a great opportunity to catch up and solve the worlds problems. This week we also welcomed… Continue reading Time for a brew

Making a difference with Wai Wanaka

WAI Wānaka is an organisation. An organisation made up of passionate people working toward empowering communities to understand natural waters such as lakes and streams, their environment, and their impact. The team from the MenShed regularly work with WAI Wānaka. This week the team delivered a interactive display board that will be used to help… Continue reading Making a difference with Wai Wanaka

Kids growing

This week the MenShed team from the Wanaka Community Workshop prepared a small seedling tray The tray is the first of a dozen or more that will be distributed to pre schools across the Upper Clutha. The idea is the brain child of Jo from the Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust. Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust is… Continue reading Kids growing

MINT show their skills

Last week the Wanaka Community Workshop welcomed back MINT. MINT is our local community trust which supports those in Upper Clutha Area with intellectual disabilities. As part of their comprehensive program MINT visits the Wanaka Community Workshop each month. Our team at the Wanaka Community Workshop really appreciates the opportunity to work with MINT. This… Continue reading MINT show their skills

Lynn River keeping us safe

The Wanaka Community Workshop exists to make a difference – a difference for our community, for our natural environment. We very much appreciate it when our efforts are recognised. We especially appreciate it when this appreciation is in the form of donations that support our efforts. Lynn River, the premier supplier of New Zealand workplace… Continue reading Lynn River keeping us safe

Food banks delivering

For members of the MenShed its great to see projects they have worked on serving their intended purpose. Over recent weeks three food banks have been delivered – to the Wanaka Community Hub, the Wanaka Recreation Centre and at Lugate. Each provides an opportunity to share local produce and to reduce the cost of feeding… Continue reading Food banks delivering

Mid Year Christmas

At times one just needs a break. While its sunny, its also cool – the first snows have fallen in Wanaka. Time for mid year Christmas! This week the team at the Menshed had an extended tea break – complete with cake and a rather dubious Christmas tree. Its great to get stuff done but… Continue reading Mid Year Christmas

ITM Southern Lakes is the new Gold sponsor for Wanaka Community Workshop.

A not for profit charitable trust, Wanaka Community Workshop (WCW) operations is heavily reliant on volunteer time, contestable funding and community goodwill to meet its operating budget and outgoing expenses, while balancing the need to deliver the trust’s purposes, which are to build community resilience by enabling community connection; creating social situations where people can… Continue reading ITM Southern Lakes is the new Gold sponsor for Wanaka Community Workshop.

Easy walking at Bullock Creek

The Friends of Bullock Creek recently completed an extension to their walkway. The walkway enables easy access to this wonderful ecological gem located within the urban area of Wanaka. The Friends have over the years been the catalyst behind the restoration and protection of Bullock Creek and the fresh wayer springs which are its source.… Continue reading Easy walking at Bullock Creek

Gnome’s at Bremner Bay

The Wanaka Community Workshop has been operating for about a year. Starting off small, one of our initial projects was the fabrication of gnome houses. Each was then painted by kids from Duke of Edinburgh and William Pike then erected adjacent to the children’s pump cycle track in Bremner Bay. It was a great project… Continue reading Gnome’s at Bremner Bay

Lilliput 305

The newest member of the New Zealand’s network of lilliput libraries stands just outside the main public entrance to the Wanaka Recreation Centre. Lilliput number 305 is managed by staff at Wanaka Library. Since established Lilliput 305 has been busy – on average 23 books every day are being withdrawn. A few weeks back, the… Continue reading Lilliput 305

Making a difference

Over many years a significant effort has been underway throughout the Upper Clutha to reduce the threat of pests to our endangered wildlife. Part of this effort involves traps that target killers – stoats, possums, and rats. A host of agencies are involved. These include the Department of Conservation, community and environmental groups, firms, schools… Continue reading Making a difference

Lilliput Library

Lilliput Library Cromwell Kidsfirst Kindergaten now has their Lilliput Library up at 25 Gilling Place, Cromwell, New Zealand. A year ago Nicola came into the WCW and asked about the Lilliput Library she had seen in the media. Cromwell kids could really do with one. The workshop had only just started and we were trying… Continue reading Lilliput Library

MINT’s next visit

This week the team at the Mens Shed were preparing for the next visit by the MINT Charitable Trust to the Wanaka Community Workshop. The MINT Trust support those in Upper Clutha Area with intellectual disabilities. Each visit to the Wanaka Community Workshop involves practicable work assembling an item that can be taken home. The… Continue reading MINT’s next visit

Board walk for Bullock Creek

This week members of the Mens Shed working from the Wanaka Community Workshop completed a job for the Friends of Bullock Creek. Bullock Creek emerges from ground water springs and runs through Wanaka entering the Lake adjacent to Dinosaur Park. The stream is a treasured natural icon of our town. Over many years the Friends… Continue reading Board walk for Bullock Creek

Produce from the garden

It makes a difference to grow your own vegetables – a taste difference for us and its easier on the planet. This week the team from the Mensshed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop built a structure to house a raised garden. The new garden will serve a number of our elder residents of Wanaka.… Continue reading Produce from the garden

A trap library for Wanaka

Each of us wear multiple hats – Marcus is both a team member of the MensShed and a member of the community group Wanaka Backyard Trapping. Recently Marcus has been putting the final touches on traps that will initially stock Wanaka’s first trap library. Managed by Wanaka Backyard Trapping the library will be located at… Continue reading A trap library for Wanaka