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IMG 2853 - Second Nature Charitable Trust CEO, Richard Jeffery shows Prime Minister Bill English around the new Momentum Hub at Vector Wero Whitewater Park.

<HEAD> Prime Minister opens Momentum Hub

The innovation just keeps booming at New Zealand’s first and only man-made white water park.

In less than 10 months, the people who had the vision to develop Vector Wero Whitewater Park havepulled together a contemporary container village that is home for seven not-for-profit organisations.

The Momentum Hub was officially opened by Rt Hon Bill English on Thursday February 9, 2017 with hundreds of VIPs sharing the occasion.

The Prime Minister commended the seven charitable trusts that will work collaboratively in the new Momentum Hub for their work to keep children and young people engaged.

“When a young person is on welfare by the age of 20, the Government knows there is an enormous long-term cost,” says Mr English.

“The Government can only do so much and no government department can create the fresh approach and relationships that work in these communities and with individual young people.

“It’s important every young person feels like their community values what they can contribute to their community.”

Second Nature Charitable Trust CEO, Richard Jeffery says like-minded trusts were brought together to foster collaboration within not-for-profit youth development education.

“We wanted an organisational and operational structure that provided more bang for buck,” he says.

“We want government to empower the community to deliver their own solutions instead of the bureaucracy remotely disempowering them.

“The trusts at The Momentum Hub are delivering for our youth but they just need a bit more fuel in the tank.

“Vector Wero Whitewater Park can collaborate with the organisations with outdoor education activities that support the youth education programmes of the charitable trusts.

Visitors from all walks of life can socialise at the lakeside café and bar, while the charitable trusts enjoy free office space and utilities, but more importantly – an environment that fosters collaboration.

The white water park also supports fundraising initiatives with high profile events that capture the imagination and enthusiasm of the community.

“We always envisaged the entire complex; including Vector Wero Whitewater Park, the Sir Noel Robinson Conference Centre and Vodafone Events Centre would have a social enterprise model.

“Corporates using these facilities are putting financial resources directly back into New Zealand’s young people.”

The Momentum Hub trusts include; Big Buddy Foundation, John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams, Life Education Trust, The Rising Foundation,iSport Foundation, Manukau Beautification Trust and Second Nature Charitable Trust.

Life Education Trust Counties Manukau chair person, Paul Cressey, was quick to accept the invitation to join the Momentum Hub.

“Many of our funders look for evidence of collaboration in our sector and this is a real way of looking at how to make savings and avoid duplication of resources,” says Cressey.

“All trusts involved in the Momentum Hub are passionate about the people of Counties Manukau and we have an amazing opportunity to share knowledge, work together and have more impact in our community.

Currently, the seven trusts have more than 100,000 points of contact with students, mainly from Counties Manukau but also extending throughout Auckland.

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For more information and interviews, please contact:

Jackie Russell

Chatterbox PR

Ph 09 537 1868

Mob 0275 708 971

Momentum Hub quick facts

  • The total cost of the Momentum Hub is approximately $1.5million
  • Funding was provided by Second Nature Charitable Trust and Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust
  • The total floor area is 400m² and charitable trusts have access to about 330m²
  • Seven trusts moved into the Momentum Hub throughout January, 2017