Community Halls Engagement

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Selwyn District Council owns a number of community halls across the district that are key landmarks in our towns. Many of these halls were built in the early 1900's and, over time, will need significant investment to ensure they can continue to serve their communities well. Some halls are currently used less often and generate limited income, which suggests there may be opportunities to better support their future use.

We’re starting a conversation with communities about what the future of some of these halls could look like. This is an opportunity to hear local ideas and understand what matters most to you. No decisions have been made, and all options remain open at this stage.


What we’re doing

In 2023, Councillors asked Council staff to look into future options for 13 community halls across the district. As a first step, we’d like to focus on conversations with communities connected to five halls:

  • Greendale Hall
  • Greenpark Memorial Community Centre
  • Mead Community Hall
  • Sheffield Community Hall
  • Tawera Memorial Hall


Stages of engagement

Stage 1: Listening to the community

At this stage, our focus is on listening. We want to understand how these halls are used now, what role they could play in the future, and what ideas communities have for their ongoing use. We’re also keen to learn from local knowledge – insights, history, or information that people in the community may know and that could be relevant to this process but hasn’t yet been identified.

Stage 2: Here’s what we heard – what do you think?

In this stage, we’ll share all the suggestions from Stage 1 with the community to narrow down the options identified in Stage 1.

Stage 3: Reporting back to Council

Options will then be presented to the Council for the Long-Term Plan 2027-2037 consultation.

Stage 4: Here’s the options – what should we do?

In this stage, the community will have the opportunity through the Long-Term Plan consultation to share their thoughts about what they would like the Council to do.


Case studies

We’ve put together some case studies on how different community halls are managed across New Zealand and also included an example from England. These case studies have been provided to provide ideas on how community halls could be managed.

Read the case studies here.

Make a submission

If you would like to give us your feedback, you can complete an online submission.

Selwyn District Council owns a number of community halls across the district that are key landmarks in our towns. Many of these halls were built in the early 1900's and, over time, will need significant investment to ensure they can continue to serve their communities well. Some halls are currently used less often and generate limited income, which suggests there may be opportunities to better support their future use.

We’re starting a conversation with communities about what the future of some of these halls could look like. This is an opportunity to hear local ideas and understand what matters most to you. No decisions have been made, and all options remain open at this stage.


What we’re doing

In 2023, Councillors asked Council staff to look into future options for 13 community halls across the district. As a first step, we’d like to focus on conversations with communities connected to five halls:

  • Greendale Hall
  • Greenpark Memorial Community Centre
  • Mead Community Hall
  • Sheffield Community Hall
  • Tawera Memorial Hall


Stages of engagement

Stage 1: Listening to the community

At this stage, our focus is on listening. We want to understand how these halls are used now, what role they could play in the future, and what ideas communities have for their ongoing use. We’re also keen to learn from local knowledge – insights, history, or information that people in the community may know and that could be relevant to this process but hasn’t yet been identified.

Stage 2: Here’s what we heard – what do you think?

In this stage, we’ll share all the suggestions from Stage 1 with the community to narrow down the options identified in Stage 1.

Stage 3: Reporting back to Council

Options will then be presented to the Council for the Long-Term Plan 2027-2037 consultation.

Stage 4: Here’s the options – what should we do?

In this stage, the community will have the opportunity through the Long-Term Plan consultation to share their thoughts about what they would like the Council to do.


Case studies

We’ve put together some case studies on how different community halls are managed across New Zealand and also included an example from England. These case studies have been provided to provide ideas on how community halls could be managed.

Read the case studies here.

Make a submission

If you would like to give us your feedback, you can complete an online submission.

Page last updated: 08 Jun 2026, 12:37 PM