Greendale, Greenpark, Sheffield and Tāwera communities to help run their local halls

Communities in Greendale, Greenpark, Sheffield and Tāwera will have a bigger say in how their local hall is run, after Selwyn District Council approved a new trial this week.

The trial responds directly to what people told the Council earlier this year. Around 170 comments and ideas came in from five rural hall communities in June and July, through workshops, drop-in sessions and a survey.

People said they value their hall as a place to come together, and many want a bigger local role in running it while the Council continues to own and look after the building.

“Our rural halls hold a special place in their communities. Many were built by locals generations ago, and people care deeply about them,” says Denise Kidd, Selwyn District Council Executive Director Community Services and Facilities.

"Communities told us they didn’t want to take over ownership of their hall, but they would like more say in how it’s run, and they had some good ideas for bringing more people through the doors. This trial is a chance to test those ideas. Where local people are willing to help, our team will be there to support them.”

People told the Council that hire cost of halls was one of the main things stopping them using it.

Under the trial, local volunteers will help run their hall and can set hire prices that suit their community, with the focus on getting more people using the hall more often.

The Council will continue to own and maintain the halls and will support volunteers throughout the trial. As the building owner, the Council is legally required to ensure the halls comply with health and safety and alcohol laws, and this responsibility stays with the Council.

“The aim is simple: more people using their local hall, and more happening in these communities that whole community can enjoy,” says Kidd.

The trial will start in December and run until mid-2028. Volunteering is open to anyone in each community who would like to be involved.

Mead Community Hall, which already has a volunteer arrangement in place, also took part in the engagement and will carry on as it is.

For more information on a particular hall, please email halls@selwyn.govt.nz and they will direct you to the right contact. The engagement report for each hall can be found here.