From Boredom to Belonging: Morrinsville Youth Secure a Building for a Long-Awaited Hub
Why was the Project Needed?
Despite its “cream of the country” reputation, Morrinsville hasn’t always felt that way for its rangatahi. In 2004, when CAYAD (Community Action on Youth and Drugs) was first established in Morrinsville, youth boredom was reaching crisis levels. This led to increased truancy, school exclusions, and risky behaviours, particularly involving alcohol and drugs, which were on the rise. Young people said the problem was clear: there was nothing to do and nowhere to go.
Rangatahi surveys told us
“We were just roaming the streets or partying. There wasn’t really a safe space for us.”
“We just needed somewhere to go, somewhere that felt like ours.”
Community spaces weren’t accessible, and activities were often too expensive or aimed at schoolbased youth. Young people wanted a space of their own, a place for social connection, education, support services, and recreation.
Twenty Years of Community Action and Collaboration
In 2004, CAYAD Youth Coordinator Kylie Turuwhenua began youth consultations with local Rangatahi. In 2005 Ngaire Te Ahu took over from Kylie leading to the formation of the Morrinsville Youth Action Group (MYAG). In 2006, ongoing regular hui were held with increased collaboration and actions to include, youth and community surveys, and local service mapping of local, district and regional health and service providers. By 2008, Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta and Matamata-Piako District Council leaders joined the kaupapa, helping bring in support from the Ministry of Youth Development (MYD) and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
Key stakeholders on board, included:
Morrinsville College & Principal Scott Jenkins
Morrinsville Intermediate
Morrinsville Community House
Baptist Church
Morrinsville Training Centre
Piako Whānau Community Trust
Te Ahurei a Rangatahi, Nga Wairere o Te Ora Clinic, Kai-a-te-Mata and Rukumoana Marae
Matamata Piako District Council, Police, Waikato DHB and Public Health teams
Matamata Piako Community Health Forum
Barnardos, RTLB, Youth Empowerment Services, and more.
Together, the collaboration alongside community youth, ran youth needs assessments /surveys (2005 to 2011), created youth resources like the “Get it 2gether” health service card, with the youth leading coordinated events like Top Town, Youth Sports Day, Amazing Race, and Waitangi Day celebrations.
The Turning Point
In 2022, the newly formed CAYAD youth reference /advisory group Morrinsville Youth (MYouth), the next generation of MYAG, rallied to secure a permanent youth space. Below is a photo taken in 2022 by a journalist for the local newspaper Piako Post, covering the protest staged by MYouth alongside Property Developer Burt Loveridge, (pictured below), to gain the details of the sale. Unfortunately both MYouth and Burt were unsuccessful in obtaining any information regarding the sale of the building.
In 2024 backed by influential businessman Burt Loveridge, the group, with CAYAD's support, bid for the Morrinsville Methodist Church (MMC) building, which was in the process of going up for tender/sale. The Morrinsville Methodist Church parish and the church governance group, the Waikato /Waiariki General Synod, were encouraged by the potential prospect that the church could be used as a safe space for community youth to grow and develop. For the Morrinsville Methodist church community, it meant that there was an opportunity for the parish to keep the church and maintain their monthly church services for those members who had lifelong affiliations to the church community.
“We didn’t want to see our church building being turned into a car yard. It’s now going to be a place full of life again—for youth.”
After negotiations, the church agreed to lease the building for the new Morrinsville Community Youth Hub, while still holding once a month church service. It’s a win-win for the church, the youth, and the wider community.
What’s Changed? The Outcomes
Youth have been offered a safe, youth-friendly space in the heart of Morrinsville.
Local youth feel valued, seen, heard and supported.
Opportunity to create access to counselling, AOD services, education, and recreation programmes.
Over 1000 Morrinsville youth voices have shaped the space through consultations and surveys.
Opportunity to create long-term sustainable programmes and activities to support youth aspirations and youth health, social and recreational needs.
Long-term partnerships and networks have formed between schools, iwi, council, health, and community services to support the long-term sustainability of this initiative.
“It’s the first time youth in Morrinsville will truly have a place of their own.”
CAYAD’s Role: The Backbone of the Journey
For nearly two decades, CAYAD has been the connector, convener, and catalyst for youth wellbeing in Morrinsville.
Facilitated over 30 community hui and workshops
Supported youth leadership development and engagement
Linked agencies and stakeholders to shared goals
Led coordination of surveys, youth events, and service mapping
“Having a paid CAYAD coordinator to support the development of this long-term community aspiration to have a space dedicated for youth has helped keep this community action project on track over the years especially when it was tough maintaining momentum.
– Ngaire Te Ahu, CAYAD Coordinator 2025
Looking Ahead
Morrinsville’s proposed Community Youth Hub is more than just a building—it’s a symbol of resilience, partnership, and possibility. Youth-led, community-backed, and two decades in the making, it’s finally happening. To conclude, I want to end with the following quote from one of our rangatahi leaders.
“This space says to me: You matter. You belong. You’re part of Morrinsville’s present and future.”
– Mana Rangatahi youth leader 2024
This is a Morrinsville Top Town Youth led community event which included Matamata and Te Aroha communities. (2014)
This is Mana Rangatahi attending a Community By-Laws consultation workshop at the Morrinsville Methodist Church Centre with Laura Hopkins, Matamata Piako District Council Policy Analyst (2025)