Pan African Community Centre

10/08/2026

🏡 Home Away From Home at PACC – Boys to Men

At the Pan African Community Centre we take our time to pilot initiatives before making them part of our regular programme. If a project aligns with our values, demonstrates consistency, community ownership and responds to a genuine need, we will consider supporting it.

For a number of years, a group of Sudanese men, many of whom have been long-time PACC volunteers, have been gathering informally at different locations on Friday evenings. What began as a simple game of cards, conversation and a cup of tea has grown into something much more meaningful: friendship, belonging and mutual support.*

They asked. We listened.

Their request was simple: "Can we have a consistent space of our own?"

While there are many valuable initiatives supporting women, youth and children, we also recognise that men need safe spaces where they can connect, share experiences, encourage one another and simply be themselves. Too often, men are expected to carry the pressures of life in silence.

So we are pleased to officially recognise and support this initiative.
🗓 Fridays
🕢 From 6pm onwards
Home Away From Home – Boys to Men
A relaxed evening for Sudanese men to connect, play cards, share experiences, support one another and build positive community relationships.

Because sometimes the strongest thing a man can do is know he doesn't have to carry life alone.
Because every man deserves a place where he can simply be himself.

At the Pan African Community Centre, everyone has a place.🌍❤️

Photo Credit from last Friday: Another peaceful Friday evening at Home Away From Home 🤝

28/07/2026

Community Conversations Over Coffee and a shared meal☕🌍

Some of the most important community conversations don't happen in boardrooms.
They happen over a cup of coffee, a shared meal and genuine conversation.

This week included several one-on-one consultations, catch-ups and discussions around community proposals, partnerships and ideas that have been waiting for someone to help connect the dots. Every conversation is another opportunity to strengthen relationships and move one step closer to practical solutions.

A special thank you to Jebena Ethiopian Café in New Lynn, for providing a welcoming space to share traditional Ethiopian food and coffee while building relationships.

We also enjoyed visiting Santos Brew Coffee Calvin Santana in Newmarket.

A special thank you to JI Buggie for taking the time to share ideas and vision. Community partnerships grow through open conversations, mutual respect and a shared commitment to making a positive difference with our talents.

It's always encouraging to see African-owned businesses creating spaces where people can meet, connect and support one another.
Community is built one conversation at a time. One coffee at a time. One relationship at a time.

Who knows... one day we may all look back and say, "This is how it all started."

Thank you to everyone who continues to trust the Pan African Community Centre as a place where conversations become partnerships, partnerships become projects and projects become lasting impact.
🤝☕🌍

28/07/2026

⚽ Soccer for Active Youth & Health

At Pan African Community Centre, we believe that sport is a powerful way to improve physical health, mental wellbeing and build lasting friendships.

Every Saturday morning our Sudanese community leads this community soccer initiative, welcoming young people and adults who want to stay active in a fun and supportive environment.

This is a community-led initiative by our PACC Sudanese community and is open to everyone, regardless of background or ability.
Whether you're an experienced player or simply looking to get active and connect with others, we'd love to see you there.
📍 Every Saturday
🕘 9:00am
If you would like to join or know someone who would enjoy being part of this growing initiative, get in touch with the Admin at Pan African Community Centre:
Email: [email protected]
Text: 0276436008

Together we are promoting active lifestyles, stronger friendships and healthier, more connected communities. ⚽🌍💚

27/07/2026

📢 We Value Your Feedback

The Pan African Community Centre is reviewing the seating arrangements in the back conference rooms to ensure the spaces continue to meet the needs of all our regular user groups.

If you are a regular user of the Centre, we invite you to complete our short survey. Your feedback will help inform future decisions about the use and storage of the seating in these spaces.
📝 Complete the survey here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejpCJdhWAgaGfdyx5aRjQy7KZWkIVTuoXBo-c6SNfs_QNlBA/viewform

📅 Survey closes: Monday, 10 August 2026.
Thank you for taking the time to share your views. Every response is appreciated as we continue working together to make the Pan African Community Centre a welcoming and functional space for everyone.

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the Pan African Community Centre, we are reviewing the seating arrangements in the back conference rooms. Over the years, the white wooden chairs kindly provided by the Chinese church have been used by a num...

25/07/2026

Stronger together through community. 🤝
Thank you to Hope Worldwide-Pakistan for the kind invitation to your 2026 Annual General Meeting. It was a privilege to join you in celebrating another year of serving and strengthening communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Congratulations to the Board, staff, volunteers and everyone who contributes to the incredible work you do in supporting inclusion, resettlement and community wellbeing. Your commitment to bringing people together and creating opportunities for connection is inspiring.

A special thank you for the powerful haka performance. It was a moving reminder of the richness of Aotearoa's cultural heritage and the importance of honouring one another through culture, respect and unity.

It was also wonderful to reconnect with friends and community leaders from across Auckland and continue building relationships that strengthen our diverse communities.

Wishing you every success for the year ahead. We look forward to continuing to work together to build stronger, more connected communities.

23/07/2026

From Someone's Junk... to Our Community's Treasure. ♻️❤️ ✅️

Every chair has a story. Every table has a purpose. Every donated item represents another opportunity to bring people together.

What was once no longer needed by one person is now helping create a welcoming home for communities from across Africa and beyond at the Pan African Community Centre.

These spaces are filled with conversations, friendships, learning, celebrations, support and hope—all made possible because someone chose to give rather than throw away.

A heartfelt thank you to Visionwest Community Trust for introducing us to Junk2Go Rubbish Removal whose generosity has helped transform our Centre one piece of furniture at a time.
We also gratefully acknowledge the Whau Local Board for supporting our Junk 2 Gold Project—an initiative that proves sustainability isn't just about recycling; it's about restoring dignity, creating belonging and giving resources a meaningful second life.

One person's junk became another community's future.
Thank you for believing that good things deserve a second chance... just like people sometimes do. ❤️🌍
Thank you SLNZ Helpline and Holy Living Ministry Samoan Church Volunteers 🙏

22/07/2026

Bricklane remains temporarily closed following an armed robbery at the venue yesterday which threatened the safety of our staff and customers.

Our team's wellbeing is our immediate priority and we are giving them the time and support they need. We are grateful that no one was physically injured.

We are working with Police and will reopen when it is the right time to do so. Thank you for your understanding and support.

22/07/2026

Yesterday, the Pan African Community Centre was pleased to participate in the Ministry for Ethnic Communities Roadshow, joining community organisations, businesses, faith leaders and other stakeholders to contribute to discussions on the future of ethnic communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Thank you to the Ministry for Ethnic Communities for the opportunity to participate and engage with leaders from across Auckland.
Some of the key discussion points and reflections from the Roadshow are shared in the comment section below.

21/07/2026

A sincere thank you to the Whau Local Board, Auckland Council for your continued support of the Pan African Community Centre.

It was a pleasure to welcome Rosetta Fuimaono to the Centre today and share the work we are doing to support Multi-Ethnic communities across West Auckland.
We appreciated the opportunity to discuss our current programmes, future aspirations and our vision of the Pan African Community Centre as a hub for community connection, emergency preparedness, resilience and belonging.

Face-to-face conversations like these strengthen partnerships and help ensure that community voices are heard.

At the Pan African Community Centre, we believe that 'if you can't go to Africa, we will bring Africa to you..' right here in the Whau. Through culture, community, learning, food, music and connection, we celebrate the richness and diversity of the African continent with everyone.

Thank you, Rosetta and Deb Doyle from the Community Wellbeing team, for your ongoing encouragement and support. We value our partnership with the Whau Local Board and look forward to continuing to work together for the benefit of our communities.

Ngā mihi nui. 🌍🤝