Pukaha is calling on the community to help it complete its Te Wananga Taiao [environmental education centre].
With one month of a fundraising campaign left, Pukaha has raised just over $4000 of its $150,000 goal.
Pukaha general manager Emily Court said the building was a 960m2 new build onsite at the reserve.
She said the centre would help expand environmental education, with a focus on traditional Maori knowledge.
“A forest is a place of learning for all areas of study.”
Court said the project would cost about $6 million, and Pukaha hoped to raise $150,000 to fund the final kit-out of the centre.
She said contributions would go towards technology, furnishing, mattresses and bedding, catering and serving equipment, and landscaping.
“We’ve had great support. We’ve secured $2.5 million from the provincial growth fund, and we’ve also had a number of other large grants.”
Court said the organisation had decided to try fundraising through the crowdfunding platform Pledge Me.
“The reason we’ve aimed for $150,000 is that it’s the rough cost of the final bit to fit out [the centre].”
She said Pukaha needed the community to get behind the project to get it across the line.
Court said Pukaha would only receive the money if it made its funding target.
The centre would be able to accommodate groups of up to 90 people from schools, community, and business organisations. Pukaha said the centre was on track for completion in April 2023.
Donate at pledgeme.co.nz with a search for “Pukaha environmental education and accommodation centre”.
Pukaha calling on the community for help
