Kiwi Men’s Shed Development – Start ups, Innovation & Involvement

1. Kiwi Men’s Shed Development – Start ups, Innovation & Involvement August 22nd 2011

2. Historic - NZ Men’s Sheds 2007 Overview • Barry Golding visited ACE Conference • Some Kiwis knew of Aussie Sheds • Visitors to OZ heard about it Masterton • Casual acquaintance – Dunedin • Two Kiwis attend 2nd Australian Manly Conference in August 2007 • December 2007 - Lead Article ACE AOTEAROA Newsletter Community Men’s Sheds: A New Zealand Goal • Hamilton Community Men’s Shed Launched • Dunedin “Blokes Shed” Launched December Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

3. Community Men’s Sheds in NZ March 2007 1 community shed • Auckland Devonport Community Workshop “Claystore” 29 years • Hamilton Community Men’s Shed. • Mosgiel’s Taieri Blokes Dunedin • Total 4 sheds by late December Community Men’s Shed NZ - Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz

4. Community Men’s Sheds in NZ March 2008 more opened December a total of 7 sheds • Auckland Claystore • Thames • West Franklin Men’s Shed • Hamilton Community Men’s Shed • Naenae & Wellington Menz Sheds • Christchurch Canterbury Men’s Centre • Dunedin + Mosgiel • Total 7- 13 sheds Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz

5. Community Men’s Sheds in NZ From NZ @ April 2009 Shed Development in NZ • Auckland West Waitakere • Claystore &Waiuku • Thames / Hauraki • Hamilton Community M.S. • Wairarapa Henley M. S. • Wgtn: City, Jvle, Hutt, Kapiti, Eastbourne • Picton / Marlborough • Oxford • Chch: Papanui+St Albans +HeiHei • New Brighton+Selwyn District • Wanaka / Central Otago • Dunedin + Mosgiel • Total 18 sheds Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

6. Community Men’s Sheds in NZ As at August 2011 Shed Development in NZ • Auckland 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, • Waiuku West Franklin MS 1 • Waikato Bay of Plenty 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 • Taranaki Horowhenua 1, 2, 3, • Wairarapa 1 • Wellington 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, • Nelson Marlborough 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 • North Canterbury 1, 2, • Christchurch 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 • North & Central Otago 1, 2, 3, • Dunedin + Mosgiel 1, 2, • Total 36 Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

7. Hamilton Community Men’s Shed • First venue was • Temporary 6 weeks • Few resources • No money • We worked off campus Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

8. Situation at August 09 • Coordinator was in place • Found some ACE funding via Melville HS Community Fund • Offered Temporary Shed • Too small • Too far away • Tools and Equipment in storage • Members dropped away • 6 months later Found a Shed as a 6yr Lease on a City Council Facility • Onemember’s support • Professional Saw Bench on Loan • Donations of tools and wood • Needed storage so had to buy a container Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

9. Ongoing Issues 2011 • Loss of Coordinators (health/personal /family /work) • Locating a new Coordinator • Not easy to find • Costs to be budgeted / covered • Membership concerns • Causes for member fluctuations • Diversity Independent/Dependent members • Safety in Shed • Other groups access to shed • Insurance • Established NZ base policy (our lease stipulation = $2 million Public Liability) • Bulk discount now in pipeline • Coordinator now available Opening more frequently More flexible access for members Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

10. Similarities NZ and Australia share common colonial DIY heritage • Individual bloke shed model has always existed here. • Structure and research similar • Fewer men accessed Adult Community Education classes (around 26%) • Men prefer doing than talking • Many were less successful at school • Australian model inspired us • It made sense • Ideal for male motivation = practical also beneficial for rehabilitation or integration of migrants. • Many men are still missing out and falling through cracks • Community Men’s sheds have been expanding internationally UK, Canada & Europe Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

11. Issues: NZ Research outcomes are similar to Australia • Men’s learning preferences • Are men taking more responsibility? • What are Men’s Sheds? • Primarily a specialist venue for men to meet, work, & do things together in. • Sheds also offer • Platforms for innovation • Facilities for positive health support & rehabilitation • Education & training • Wellness opportunities and centres for socialization. Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

12. Differences: NZ & Aust Sheds Shed resourcing in NZ • No scheduled Government Grant assistance yet • ACE funding has been reduced • Community funding now even more competitive • Local governments have small discretionary funding budgets • Without Funding Support. • Shed growth & development is slower • Consent durations are tedious • Energies dissipate. • AMSA pioneered national development with 600 sheds • Many have startup funding Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

13. Indigenous / Migrant Involvement NZ Bi-cultural presence unique Is the shed inclusive? • To be involved Maori need senseof ownership / partnership • Discussion with Maori important • All cultures have different family/community priorities • Men’s Sheds have unique chance to be culturally dynamic. • Hamilton presently has a diverse shed membership. • Sheds are also stimulating venues for migrant support and youth. Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

14. Men’s Sheds – Where Innovation begins Innovation emphasis. “successful innovations in New Zealand, in their early stages (often emerge from time spent) with blokes in sheds” Jim Hopkins Many community Sheds • Have highly innovative members and produce important developments. • Men's shed ‘community projects” also promote • Sustainability • Recycling of used materials • Repairing of broken equipment • Are often quirky and fun • innovation benefits the wider community. Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

15. Men’s Sheds: Men as Elders / Kaumatua Sheds are very positive centres for knowledge transmission Have diverse and respected leadership. Wide age range, skills & abilities Reciprocal benefits for men, families & community. Self energizing and sustaining that spring from grass-root needs and situations. A Shed Coordinator is pivotal for success Promotes mental health & well being without being an intervention Shed potential largely unrealised Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

16. New Zealand Outcomes A MEN’S SHED IS A Specialist Community Venue where • Men work with each other • Men learn in practical settings • Older men feel valued • Isolated feel included • Migrants gain confidence • Redundant workers reconnect • Action occurs • Men grow in knowledge and skill • informal learning ranges from technical topics to health • Mentoring is multidirectional • Culture is passed on Community needs are being met Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011

17. NZ Perspectives Aug 2011 • A network of around 40 national contacts is now established in New Zealand • One NZ Shed conference has been held in April 2010 • National Association has made application to become an incorporated society. • We have created a name and website (parked at present) & this now needs professional input for consistency and utility. Community Men’s Sheds NZ Dr Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz August 22nd 2011