A container gym similar to this could be possible for Kāwhia gym goers. Photo supplied.
People in Kāwhia are asking for a gym and a cafe with Ōtorohanga District Council putting up part of the estimated $100,000 cost.
In the meeting’s public forum, Move Your Tinana organiser Nin Duggan and Kelly Isherwood presented a report that has already been put before Tainui involving the use of containers to house both facilities.
It said the cafe would replace the community cafe Rusty Snapper, which closed last year.
The cafe argument was a community requirement for a place for visitors to get something to eat and drink in a community setting.
They said, now, visitors’ first interaction was with the owners of the general store where food options were limited and not good for local people or visitors.
“They also speak limited English and are often asked by visitors where the heritage sites are, where the waka is buried and where the hot springs are,” they said.
“The Cambodians do not answer these well due to the language barrier, and this experience is not a great reflection for Kāwhia.
“In addition, there is little room to sit and eat as this is a bakehouse and not a cafe.
“A local Māori-owned and operated cafe would be a great kaupapa and is a must to give respect to our tupuna our people and our iwi,” they said.
“A locally owned cafe would give visitors access to our local people, local knowledge, and kai.”
The proposed solution is two containers, one fitted out as a gym similar to the one at the Manurewa Marae, and the other as a cafe.
The intention is to locate the containers between the Kāwhia museum and barbecue area looking out towards Kāwhia moana.
When board member Dave Walsh asked who would cover the cost of the mobile gym, Nin replied that was not what she was bringing to the table.
“It is something that we need to discuss in full, and to get that backing behind it.
“From there I think it’s looking at where the funding is available to us,” she said.
When Dave queried whether they look at more funding than gym-goers would provide, he was told that was “another conversation”.
“We have to work out what that structure looks like because we are just presenting,” Nin said
She added that research showed when people came together as a community, it was more efficient than if people were isolated at home.
Acting board chair Hinga Whiu said they did cross fit on the Omimiti Reserve for many years and found they always used to get more participants during holidays than during the year, even in wintertime.
Kit Jeffries asked if the $100,000 was for setting up just the cafe or the gym.
He was told the gym was the priority.
“The cafe stuff is something we would need to go back and look at costing. In terms of what we could afford,” Nin said.
She said ongoing running costs had yet to be determined.
“We have invited the expert that runs the Manurewa marae facility and when we can have a bigger discussion, I think we will bring that expert in to talk about the (costs).”
She agreed with Dave Walsh that a discussion could also be had over sharing use of the domain in conjunction with the sports club.
