About Us
Our story, our purpose and the people behind Mangawhai Shed
Our Purpose
Our Vision and Mission were developed collectively by Shed members
Vision
The Mangawhai Shed is a safe space where members gather to connect with others, to create using their skills and to contribute to the local community. It is an indispensable community asset, a centre for teaching and learning and a trusted provider to other community-focused organisations.
Mission
The Mangawhai Shed provides a forum and a physical location where local people can share their knowledge and experience and learn new skills while working on practical projects which benefit the community.
Members create a supportive and welcoming environment with a focus on individual and collective wellbeing.
Our Team
Our team of dedicated volunteers are passionate about their craft and our vision for a workshop in our community. Their diverse backgrounds bring a rich source of experience to draw from. Come and join us to build on your own skills, take time to finally indulge your creative interests or help us contribute to our community whilst we sort out the world’s problems over a cup of tea
Our Story
Mangawhai’s Shed began in November 2016, when a small group met to explore the idea of creating an inclusive community workshop.
There were no premises, no money and no equipment. Then someone offered the use of a workshop one day a week — and the idea quickly took off.
When those premises later became uncertain, the founding members turned the setback into a reason to find a permanent home. The Shed became an incorporated society in 2019 and, along the way, developed strong relationships with local groups and organisations.
Much has changed since those first days, but one thing hasn’t: give the Shed a useful task and there is still a particular buzz around the workshop.
Founding members
Damian Stansfield, Owen Williams, Roger Handisides, Brian Dahl, and Phil Elrick (Stephen Mackay behind the camera)
PART OF A WIDER MOVEMENT
Mangawhai Shed is part of an international movement of community sheds that began in Australia and has since spread around the world.
Although every Shed develops its own character, they share a simple idea: provide a place where people can connect, share practical skills, learn from one another and enjoy working alongside others. Mangawhai has developed its own version of that idea.
Interested in helping shape the Shed?
We occasionally have committee roles available — talk to us