Community Halls Engagement
Selwyn District Council owns a number of community halls across the district that are key landmarks in our towns. Many of these halls were built in the early 1900's and, over time, will need significant investment to ensure they can continue to serve their communities well. Some halls are currently used less often and generate limited income, which suggests there may be opportunities to better support their future use.
We’re starting a conversation with communities about what the future of some of these halls could look like. This is an opportunity to hear local ideas and understand what matters most to you. No decisions have been made, and all options remain open at this stage.
What we’re doing
In 2023, Councillors asked Council staff to look into future options for 13 community halls across the district. As a first step, we’d like to focus on conversations with communities connected to five halls:
- Greendale Hall
- Greenpark Memorial Community Centre
- Mead Community Hall
- Sheffield Community Hall
- Tawera Memorial Hall
Stages of engagement
Stage 1: Listening to the community
At this stage, our focus is on listening. We’ll listen to how halls are used today, what people value most, and what ideas communities have for their future. We’re especially interested in local knowledge that may not be captured in existing data.
Stage 2: Here’s what we heard – what do you think?
We’ll share back what we heard in Stage 1 and invite further feedback to help refine potential options.
Stage 3: Reporting back to Council
Feedback and potential options will be reported to the mayor and councillors to inform the Long‑Term Plan 2027–2037.
Stage 4: Here’s the options – what should we do?
Through the Long‑Term Plan consultation, communities will be able to share their views on the options before any formal decisions are made.
Timeline
Indicative timing includes:
- Stage 1 – listening to the community: commencing 8 June
- Stage 2 – sharing what we heard and refining options: July - Aug 2026
- Stage 3 – reporting back to Council: to inform Long‑Term Plan 2027–2037 – Oct 2026
- Stage 4 – formal consultation through the Long‑Term Plan
How you can talk to us
You can share your thoughts with us by:
- coming to a community meeting
- coming to a drop-in session
- filling out a survey online (available from 8 June)
If you can’t make it to one of our planned sessions, get in touch with us at halls@selwyn.govt.nz or call 0800 735 996 to chat with our team about other options to share your thoughts with us.
Upcoming community meetings (bookings required):
Greenpark Memorial Community Centre
Wednesday 10 June, 7pm,
Book here.
Saturday 27 June, 2pm
Book here.
Greendale Hall
Saturday 13 June, 2pm,
Book here.
Tuesday 23 June, 7pm
Book here.
Sheffield Community Hall
Tuesday 16 June, 7pm,
Book here.
Saturday 4 July, 2pm
Book here.
Tawera Memorial Hall
Wednesday 17 June, 7pm,
Book here.
Sunday 28 June, 2pm
Book here.
Mead Community Hall
Saturday 20 June, 2pm
Book here.
Upcoming drop-ins (no booking required):
| Thursday 11 June | 10am-2pm | Darfield Library and Service Centre |
| Wednesday 24 June | 10am-2pm | Tawera Memorial Hall |
| Thursday 25 June | 10am-2pm | Sheffield Community Hall |
| Wednesday 1 July | 10am-2pm | Mead Community Hall - CANCELLED |
| Thursday 2 July | 10am-2pm | Greenpark Memorial Community Centre |
| Tuesday 7 July | 10am-2pm | Greendale Hall |
| Wednesday 8 July | 10am-2pm | Leeston Library and Service Centre |
| Saturday 11 July | 10am-2pm | Darfield Library and Service Centre |
More information
We've put together some case studies on how different community halls are managed across New Zealand and also included an example from England. These case studies have been provided to provide ideas on how community halls could be managed. Read the case studies here.
We've also pulled together some more detailed information about each of the halls into five reports. You can read these here:
- Greendale Hall
- Greenpark Memorial Community Centre
- Mead Community Hall
- Sheffield Community Hall
- Tawera Memorial Hall
Keep updated
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Frequently asked questions
Why is Council doing this?
Like many councils across New Zealand, Selwyn District Council owns an ageing stock of community halls. These halls are more than buildings – they are important local landmarks, shaped and cared for by generations of community members. As historic buildings, they require ongoing care and investment to remain safe, compliant and fit for purpose into the future.
At the same time, usage at some halls has been lower than expected. This creates an opportunity to pause and ask how well these halls are serving communities today, and what could help them serve communities better in the future.
This stage is about listening first. Council is starting a conversation about five halls to better understand how they are used, what people value most about them, and what ideas communities have for their future. No decisions will be made as part of this engagement. All feedback will help inform the options the mayor and councillors consider through the Long-Term Plan 2027–2037.
Council is committed to working openly with communities to identify future options together.
What halls are being discussed in June?
The halls that will be the focus of the upcoming engagement are:
- Sheffield Community Hall
- Tawera Memorial Hall
- Mead Community Hall
- Greenpark Memorial Community Centre
- Greendale Hall.
What are the other eight halls?
The other eight halls are:
- Ladbrooks Community Hall
- Kimberley Hall
- Lake Coleridge Community Hall
- Courtenay
- Doyleston Hall
- Glenroy Community Hall
- Halkett Community Centre
- Killinchy Community Hall
Council is not planning to engage on these halls at this stage. Any future engagement would take place after the Long-Term Plan 2027-2037 process.
What about other community halls?
Engagement will focus first on the five halls listed above. The remaining halls will be considered after this initial engagement has concluded and as part of future Long-Term Plan planning.
What is the timing of the engagement?
Engagement with communities is expected to start in June 2026.
What are the stages of engagement?
Stage 1: Listening to the community
This stage is about listening. We want to understand how halls are used now, what they have been used for in the past, what people value most about them, and what ideas communities have for their future. We are also keen to hear local knowledge – including history, constraints or opportunities – that may not be visible in booking data or reports.
Stage 2: Here’s what we heard – what do you think?
We’ll share back what we heard during Stage 1 and invite feedback to help refine and shape potential options.
Stage 3: Reporting back to Council
Feedback and potential options will be reported to Council to inform the Long-Term Plan 2027–2037 consultation.
Stage 4: Here’s the options – what should we do?
Through the Long-Term Plan consultation, communities will have the opportunity to share their views on the options and what they would like Council to do.
What are the questions will you be asking the community?
We’ll be asking the community to share their knowledge and experience, including:
- how halls are used now and, in the past,
- what options the community would like councillors and the mayor to consider in the upcoming Long-Term Plan 2027-2037.
- what people value most about them,
- what changes could help them be used more often,
- ideas for how halls could be run and used in the future,
What happens after we give you our feedback?
All feedback will be shared with the mayor and councillors to help inform future options. No decisions will be made as part of this engagement.
Any significant decisions – including changes to ownership or management – would go through the Long-Term Plan consultation and hearing process, with further opportunities for public input before any final decisions are made.
Why are you asking us for feedback?
Local knowledge matters. Communities often know things about their halls – their history, strengths, challenges and opportunities – that aren’t visible in booking data or reports.
We want to understand what matters most to each community, so councillors have the best possible information before any future options are developed.
What happens if the community want to take on the management of a hall?
Community-managed or shared management models are one of the options that could be explored. Any change would be a Council decision made through the Long-Term Plan process, with further engagement before any final decision.
Are you going to sell or demolish the halls?
This engagement is about listening and understanding community views. No decisions have been made.
If selling or transferring a hall were raised as an option, it would be considered alongside other options and would be subject to the Long-Term Plan consultation and decision-making process. Council is committed to being transparent about any options that arise.
Why do you require bookings for the community meetings?
We want to make sure that everyone who comes along has an opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas. To do this, we are running a small group, facilitated meeting. This will give a chance for everyone in the group to share their thoughts. Because of this, we've had to limit the numbers to the meetings to ensure that the groups are a reasonable size, and can be facilitated.
I can't book online, how do I book for a community meeting?
You can call us at 0800 SELWYN and one of the team will assist in helping you book in.
What happens if the community meetings are fully booked?
If there is high demand for the community meetings (they get fully booked) then we will arrange another one to make sure everyone has an opportunity to come along and share their thoughts.