TEAM Naenae Trust

With the support of dedicated community-minded people and other local advocacy and community groups, TEAM Naenae Trust (TNT) has staunchly supported local interests for over 20 years. They now act as the stewards for Naenae's new community center, Te Mako, on behalf of Hutt City Council.

The first four years of their founding involved working in consultation with Hutt City Council.  TNT developed a community vision and plan to positively build the Naenae community using Asset-Based Community Development principles. This model was being used by the council at the time to utilise the strengths of the community in decision-making regarding meeting community needs.

As a result of this collaboration, CCTV cameras were installed in Hillary court to improve safety, graffiti was removed from the shopping area, shop fronts were water blasted and painted, and TNT became the principal organisers of the annual Naenae Fair.

In 2008, TNT put forward a plan detailing how space behind the Post Shop in the post office building could be used as a Community Centre to serve the needs of the community. Little did they know that it would take 16 years and the support of the Mayor, the founding of a Community Advisory Group, and the Council for that dream to be realised.

Since Te Mako's opening on Mātariki 2024, TNT have been working hard to foster a friendly and approachable environment for locals to gather and grow community connections. It is TNT's hope that this facility will become a cornerstone in the Naenae community and will continue to serve generations to come.

TNT also host a number of community groups and programmes that anyone is free to join. More information on this can be found on our page, TNT Community Groups.

The current members of Team Naenae Trust are as follows:

• Lillian Pak (Chair)

• Liz Pa'u (Secretary)

• Casey Diver (Treasurer)

• Chris Norton

• Leila Rutherfod

• Wayne Paaka