Āwhina
Society
Trust
Āwhina Society Trust is the home of Taupō Women's Refuge and Taupō Community Kai. Together, we provide support, advocacy, and practical assistance to whānau throughout our community.
WHO WE ARE
Through Taupō Women's Refuge, we empower women and children to live free from violence. Through Taupō Community Kai, we rescue and redistribute quality food that would otherwise go to waste and, through the generosity of our community, help provide nutritious food to individuals and families facing hardship.
Together, we are creating a stronger, safer, and more connected Taupō.
THE OFFICIAL RUNDOWN
Āwhina Society Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees who provide strategic leadership, oversight, and direction to ensure the Trust fulfils its mission and serves the needs of our community.
Āwhina Society Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees who provide strategic leadership, oversight, and direction to ensure the Trust remains responsive to the needs of the Taupō community. The Board is made up of dedicated volunteers who generously contribute their time, expertise, and commitment to the organisation's mission.
Meeting regularly throughout the year, the Board oversees the Trust's strategic priorities, financial stewardship, and long-term sustainability, ensuring that all activities align with our vision of supporting individuals and whānau to live safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
Āwhina Society Trust employs a skilled and compassionate team to deliver its services through Taupō Women's Refuge and Taupō Community Kai. Together, our staff and volunteers provide advocacy, support, food rescue and redistribution, and practical assistance to individuals and families experiencing hardship, helping to build a stronger, safer, and more connected community.
Board Members
Chairperson: Kevin Taylor
Secretary: Kathy Wiltshire
Treasurer: Angela Giddy
Committee Member: Allan Humphries
Committee Member: Ciara Hepburn
Committee Member: Tim Coulter
Āwhina Christmas Angels
Each year, Āwhina Society Trust coordinates Āwhina Christmas Angels, bringing together the generosity of our community to support local families during the festive season. Through donations from individuals, businesses, schools, and community groups, we help provide Christmas gifts and essential items to children and whānau who may otherwise go without.
The programme aims to bring hope, joy, and dignity to local families while strengthening the spirit of community giving that makes Taupō such a special place.
Our History
In 1977,
the Taupō Baptist Church, the Inter Church Welfare Society and the Taupō District Council created the Āwhina Society Incorporated. At this time the purpose of the Awhina Society Inc. was to provide emergency accommodation to families and individuals and to assist people in finding permanent accommodation.
In 1979,
the Āwhina Society Inc. ran 13 Emergency Houses. However due to changes in government policy it was no longer viable to continue this service. Through the experience with the first Emergency Accommodation house and the subsequent 13 Emergency houses it became apparent that a large number of Women and children whom had experienced violence and abuse in their relationships were seeking assistance from the Awhina Society Inc. As a result of this emerging need the Awhina Society Inc. created the Taupō Women’s Refuge.
In 1991,
in response to a request by the Taupō Council of Social Services, the Āwhina Society Inc. began to manage the Taupō Community Food bank.
In 1992,
the Āwhina Society Inc. provided accommodation to single people whom had nowhere else to live or for some reason could not live independently in the ‘Āwhina House Hostel’. In 2007 ‘Āwhina House’ was sold.
The Āwhina Society Inc. manages the income from this sale for future initiatives relating to affordable housing in Taupō.
In 2022,
Āwhina Society Incorporated transitioned to Āwhina Society Trust, reflecting the organisation's continued growth and commitment to serving the Taupō community. While the name changed, the Trust remained dedicated to its founding purpose of supporting whānau through practical assistance, advocacy, and community-led initiatives.
Today, the services and programmes offered by Āwhina Society Trust include Āwhina Taupō Women's Refuge, Āwhina Taupō Community Kai, and the annual Āwhina Christmas Angels initiative.
Āwhina Society Trust has seen many changes throughout the years and continues to develop services and programmes in response to the evolving needs of the Taupō community. Through support, advocacy, food rescue, food distribution, and community-led initiatives, we work to ensure individuals and whānau receive the assistance they need to thrive.
Taupō Community Kai provides support (in the form of food parcels) to families and people in need in the Taupō Community.
All foodbank referrals should be made through Here to Help U, 0800 568 273. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us on 07 377 1507 (answerphone service) or email foodbank@awhina.org.nz.
We take referrals from our many social service partners such as Work and Income NZ, Budgeting services and many more.
We pride ourselves on providing families and individuals with healthy and nutritious food parcels to ensure families and children are being supported and they are not going hungry.
Taupō Women’s Refuge works together with women to make positive changes in our lives and the lives of our children.
Taupo Women’s Refuge offers support, advocacy and education 24 hours a day and seven days a week. A refuge safe house is also available to women and children suffering the effects of family violence. We provide plans and walk alongside women through their journey of positive change.
Please contact us at any time of the day or night when you are ready to talk on 0800 733 843.
We will work together to help create a safer future for you or someone you know that may be or has been affected by Family Violence.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Donate
Āwhina Society Trust is a non-government organisation which means we rely on the generosity of people like you.
Help us help our community.
Every little bit helps.
We are a registered charitable organisation CC31033
Campaigns
Contact Us
100 Kaimanawa St,
PO Box 595,
Taupō
Women's Refuge
07 377 1055
Community Kai
07 377 1507
C/- 100 Kaimanawa Street, Taupō
manager@awhina.org.nz
Office Hours
Where possible please call first as we are often popping in and out and the office may be unstaffed.
