A Morning of Connection at Wellington City Mission's Whakamaru

The Anglican Centre team experienced the transformative spirit of Wellington City Mission's Whakamaru during a recent team building visit.

More than just the Mission's headquarters, Whakamaru stands as a testament to inclusive community design, housing a social supermarket, chapel, medical centre, vibrant café hub, meeting spaces, and 35 transitional housing units under one welcoming roof.

Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge shared his compelling vision for Whakamaru, explaining its foundational principle: "There is no us and them." This philosophy comes to life in Craig and Gail's, the ground-floor café where people from all walks of life gather.

"Some come to Whakamaru because they need something, some come to offer something," Murray explains. "Craig and Gail's is where we can sit at the same table, rub shoulders, and share each other's company."

Upon its opening, Te Ati Awa gifted the mission the Te Reo name, Hei Whakamaru o te Korowai o te Panepane o te Ika a Maui, meaning 'The shelter of the cloak of protection of the wider Wellington region,' which beautifully captures its purpose. As Murray emphasizes, "Everyone who comes into this space will be a distinguished guest. Whether you come because there's something you need or something to offer, you will be treated the same. Together, we build community."

Drawing inspiration from Fr Gregory Boyle's teachings on radical mutuality and universal goodness, the Mission weaves these principles into their daily work. Bishop Anashuya Fletcher reinforced this message through the biblical metaphor of the body, highlighting our fundamental interconnectedness: "Despite our titles, we cannot do without each other. We all contribute to the success of each other and are reliant on one another to thrive."

The morning concluded with Archdeacon Gendy Thomson leading a Strengths session, celebrating the diverse talents within the team and exploring how these gifts energize and shape their understanding of the world.

Visit Whakamaru

Experience this remarkable space for yourself! Murray welcomes visitors to Whakamaru, located on Oxford Terrace (off Adelaide Road, just south of the Basin Reserve). Open seven days a week, come for a coffee and a bite to eat.