The Tauranga Men's Shed is facing a $20,000 rent increase that could cause the organisation to close.
The Men's Shed is a place for men to form friendships, chairman Paull Christensen said. Photo: Sun Media / John Borren
Tauranga City Council is raising the licence fee for the building the Men's Shed occupies from $7492 to $27,986 over the course of two years.
Tauranga Men's Shed chairman Paull Christensen said as a charity they couldn't afford that type of money.
"We accept that there will be a rent increase but certainly not to that extent," said Christensen.
He said the increased fee could cause their closure but it would be a "very last resort".
"It would really impact us, whether we could keep going, I don't know.
"We would really have to seriously consider whether we could keep operating the way we are."
Christensen said the community would wind up paying, be it through the need to increase what they charge for their services or not being able to donate the time and materials they do to community organisations.
He said they "certainly can't absorb the cost".
"To expect a charitable group to pay $27,000 a year with no income and 50 members. Well, that's just not possible."
The Tauranga Men's Shed has 51 members of various ages, who visit the shed at their leisure to create items for the charity's store or work on commissioned projects, as well as catch up
with mates.
The Tauranga arm of the organisation was formed in 2005 and they have occupied their building in Tauranga's Historic Village for 14 years.
Tauranga City Council venues and events manager Nelita Byrne said last year council reviewed the rental rates at The Historic Village, which it managed.
Byrne said the rental rates had not been reviewed or increased in over a decade.
"We conducted an independent appraisal, ensuring rates were consistent across the village and in line with rental rates across the region, taking into consideration location and community outcome," she said.
"The fees have now been conservatively increased and we are working with all our tenants of the impact of any significant increases".
Byrne said community and charitable organisations receive a 20 per cent discount on rates at the village in recognition of their "invaluable contributions" to the community.
"Increases to licencing fees are made incrementally at the village to allow these organisations time to adapt."
The Men's Shed rent is $7492 this year, it will be $17,739 next year and $27,986 in 2024.
Local Democracy Reporting told council the increased fee may cause the Men's Shed to close.
Byrne responded: "Council recognises the invaluable contribution The Men's Shed makes to our community and are committed to working with them to ensure their financial sustainability is maintained."
The shed is a place for men to go and share their skills, laugh and have somewhere to belong. New Zealand has 116 Men's Sheds and they were set up to support men's health and wellbeing.
The Tauranga members recently made marimbas for a Bay of Plenty school and a brachiation ladder for the Brain Injured Children Trust.
Members pay a $20 annual fee but this may have to rise if the rent increase goes ahead. Christensen would be reluctant to do so because the majority of members are over 65 and on a fixed income.
Christensen said the shed supported men's mental health by giving them somewhere to go and something to do, especially after they retire.
"Typical men they don't really open up that much, but the mate scenario comes in, where it's company, they have like-minded ideas and thoughts.
"It's mainly the companionship that they don't get when they're stuck at home," he said.
Christensen said council told him they could apply for a council grant to help with the increase in fees.
He said the organisation needed certainty rather than having to apply for a grant each year that they might not get.
"We need to have something set in concrete, so we know exactly where we are going and we can budget."
Local Democracy Reporting asked council for information about the grant, but Byrne replied that there was a wide range of funding available for community organisations.
"We encourage the Men's Shed to contact council and arrange a meeting with a funding specialist to discuss their options," she said.
Christensen requested a meeting with the commissioners, but it was suggested he meet with staff instead.
He said the staff they met with were "very good" but they were looking for recognition in their meeting with the commissioners.
"We wanted some acknowledgement. We didn't even get that," said Christensen
"You just think, well, why? Because we're a bunch of old men that we don't deserve to be given some respect and some acknowledgement of who we are and what we do."
In response to why a meeting with commissioners was not set up, Byrne said: "Lease negotiations are confidential, operational matters, which are managed by appropriate Tauranga City Council staff".
"Discussions with the Men's Shed are ongoing while we work to reach mutually beneficial outcomes."
Christensen said: "The rent increase is a major concern because it's going to affect what we do and our plans for the future."
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air