Just like any superhero knows, sometimes you have to retreat back to the batcave. Tamariki Together, a Dunedin youth charity, has decided to step back from their plans to open a large inner-city hub after realizing the importance of their grassroots origins.
Last October, it was reported that Tamariki Together had ambitious plans to move their operations to a two-storey building on St Andrew St. The hub was intended to be a safe, supervised space for youth, complete with a stage, lounge, pool tables, arcade machines, and a milkshake bar. The upper floor was meant to serve as a community center where registered adolescents, families, and caregivers could work with social workers in a private setting. The hub was going to be called JJs in honor of Enere McLaren-Taana, a teenager who tragically lost his life at the bus hub in 2024.
However, the founders have decided to prioritize their connections with young people by returning to their North East Valley home. Tamariki Together administrator Krystal Ryland expressed that the complexity of funding and formal charity transformation took a toll on their original mission of connecting with youth.
Ms. Ryland and founder Tanga Tiatoa realized that they were spending more time in meetings and administration than directly engaging with the youth, which was contrary to the organization’s core value of presence. As a result, they have put a pause on the central hub project and are focusing on rebuilding a strong internal foundation, establishing a governance board, and securing operational funding.
The organization is reviving its Music Heals program and Art of Fun sessions, which had been temporarily paused due to the focus on establishing the new space. They will also continue using their food trucks to connect with the community while reinvesting profits into their free programs.
Tamariki Together remains committed to being community-centered, understanding that supporting young people goes hand in hand with supporting their families and the wider community.
For now, the organization is going back to where it all began, in the “batcave” garage in North East Valley, to ensure that their focus remains on the youth they serve.
sam.henderson@thestar.co.nz
