Wanaka Community Workshop

20/06/2026

We're so grateful to receive donations such as building materials and hand tools as well as a dust extraction unit that will help improve our workshop environment for years to come!

We are also lucky to receive other donations through the workshop doors such as donated tools, equipment, timber, fabric and materials.

These donations help us stretch every dollar further and create more opportunities for members, volunteers and community projects.

A huge thank you to everyone who thinks of the workshop when they have something useful to pass on.

18/06/2026

Things have been busy at WCW lately!

Our sewing programmes have booked out again, Women & Wood continues to attract new faces and we're welcoming more members than ever through the workshop doors, while working on our processes and membership systems!

We are loving seeing people surprise themselves.

Someone who has never touched a sewing machine, finishing their first project, picking up a power tool for the first time, someone finally starting the project they've been talking about for years!

That's the magic of a community workshop, we're pretty lucky to see it happen every week.

As demand continues to increase, we're continuing to improve our systems, training opportunities, workshop capability and member access.

We're grateful to the volunteers, tutors, sponsors and funding partners who help make this possible, including Queenstown Lakes District Council and Otago Community Trust, whose support helps us continue creating opportunities for people to learn practical skills, build confidence and connect with others.

18/06/2026

🎨🛹 School Holiday Workshop – Skateboard Collage Art

Join us on Wednesday, 15 July for a hands-on workshop for teens, transforming recycled skateboard decks into unique pieces of art!

Using real workshop machinery, we'll sand and prepare each deck before exploring collage, colour, texture and mixed-media techniques to create something truly original.

📅 Wednesday 15 July
⏰ 9.00am – 4.00pm
👧👦 Ages 10–13
👥 Limited to 6 participants
💲 $120

No experience needed. All materials supplied!

A huge thank you to Boardhouse Wānaka for kindly supplying the skateboard decks.

Spaces are limited and bookings are essential, message us to save a spot!

17/06/2026

Wednesday mornings in the sewing room with our volunteers!

We're catching up over a hot drink while getting stuck into whatever project needs doing next.

Our volunteers help sort donated fabrics, work on community projects, keep the workshop organised and make sure materials find a second life rather than ending up in landfill.

There's always plenty happening, plenty of laughs.

If you've been looking for a way to get involved, we'd love to see you - send us a message or link in bio.

Volunteer Sewing Sessions
Wednesdays | 9.30am – 12.30pm

16/06/2026

We are still celebrating our volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week! They achieve a lot in our community...

From building nesting boxes for conservation projects, to creating community infrastructure, supporting local organisations, making furniture, repairing equipment and sharing skills with others – our volunteers make a real difference across the Upper Clutha.

These photos capture just a small snapshot of the people, projects and partnerships that happen every week at the Wanaka Community Workshop.

National Volunteer Week is a chance to celebrate the hours, skills, laughter, teamwork and generosity that our volunteers bring to the workshop and wider community.

To everyone who gives their time, knowledge and energy, thank you. 💙

Interested in volunteering with us? We'd love to hear from you.

13/06/2026

Celebrating National Volunteer Week with 💙

We're celebrating the people who make the Wanaka Community Workshop possible.

From sharing skills and welcoming new members, to building community projects, maintaining our workshops, sorting donations and supporting local organisations, our volunteers contribute thousands of hours every year.

The Workshop exists because people generously share their time, skills and knowledge with others.

To every volunteer, past and present, and those to join us – thank you.

If you are interested in volunteering in our workshop or sewing space - drop us a message! Link in bio.

13/06/2026

One of the best parts of community workshops is learning from each other!!

While in Queenstown recently, Toni stopped in to visit Queenstown and met Alex, the driving force behind the project.

They shared ideas about workshop spaces, volunteer programmes, funding, sponsorship, community engagement and the challenges and opportunities that come with that.

It's inspiring to see another community-led workshop taking shape in our region, and we look forward to staying connected and sharing ideas in the future!

Congratulations to Alex and everyone involved in bringing Women's Shed Aotearoa Queenstown to life. We wish them all the best for their grand opening this weekend Saturday 20th June, Country Lane, Frankton.

10/06/2026

🐦 Will It Float? – Grebe Platform Project Part 2

Earlier this winter we shared how our WCW volunteers helped refurbish nesting platforms for Wānaka's beloved pūteketeke (Australasian Crested Grebes). In Spring and Summer the platforms are moored in waters near the Wanaka Marina.

Now comes the testing phase!

Working alongside the team at Southern Lakes Sanctuary volunteers are exploring new ways to keep the platforms afloat while reducing the amount of plastic currently used beneath them.

The first prototype recently hit the water...

Let's just say it didn't quite go to plan! 😅

But that's all part of the process. Testing ideas, learning what works, and improving designs is how innovation happens.

The team is already making adjustments and a revised version will be back in the water soon.

We're proud to support projects that help protect local wildlife while continually looking for better, more sustainable solutions.

🐦 Stay tuned for the next update – hopefully with a floating success story!

📖 Read more on our projects on our website:
https://www.wanakacommunityworkshop.org.nz/2026

08/06/2026

🎻 Building Something a Little Different

Working together, the Wānaka Primary School PTA and Friends of Mount Aspiring College are preparing for their upcoming Ceilidh fundraiser which is a traditional Scottish social gathering filled with music, dancing and community spirit.

The team at Wānaka Community Workshop was delighted to contribute by creating a custom direction sign for the event.

Good luck to everyone involved in what promises to be a fantastic evening of fun and fundraising. 🎻🔨💙

06/06/2026