Āwhina Society Trust
The official run-down
The Āwhina Society Incorporated is governed by a governance committee elected from members of the society. There is a constitution setting out the rules of the society. Membership of the governance committee is unpaid. The governance committee meets on a monthly basis to oversee the strategic direction of the society.
An annual general meeting (AGM) is held each September. At the AGM position holders within the governance committee are elected. Those positions are: Chairperson, Secretary, Committee Member(s). The governance committee consists of no fewer than 4 and no more than 12 members.
This group also oversees the budget and authorizes the monthly accounts.
Āwhina Society Incorporated employs staff to deliver the core business of the society, one full time Society Coordinator, one fulltime Food bank coordinator, one full time Refuge assistant coordinator and one part time financial administrator.
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.
Today the services offered by the Āwhina Society Incorporated are the Taupō Women’s Refuge and the Taupō community Food bank.
The Āwhina Society has seen many changes throughout the years and has developed services for the Taupō community in response to community requests and the needs apparent in our community.
Today the focus of the Āwhina Society is to offer a caring helping hand by promoting Women and children to live free from violence and also to reduce the effects of poverty on families and individuals.
Comitee Members
John Pendergrast Chairperson
Kathy Wiltshire Secretary
Angela Giddy Treasurer
Eileen Devane Committee member
Kevin Taylor Committee member
Allan Humphries Committee member
Please get in touch for a copy of the Policies and Procedures
Taupō Women’s Refuge (Āwhina Society Trust) 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.