A youth space that quickly became a second home for many Motueka young people is temporarily closed while a community trust recruits new staff. Supporters say The Spot has left a noticeable gap in the community, Toni Evans reports.
Motueka's dedicated youth hub has hit pause just as it was building momentum.
Located beside the Motueka Recreation Centre, The Spot has become a safe and welcoming base for young people aged 12-24.
Run by the Motueka Community Development Trust, The Spot opened in early 2025, offering a relaxed place to meet friends, join activities or talk with a youth worker. The space includes couches, games, a pool table, a piano and a kitchen that has hosted a cooking programme. The Youth Advisory Group is also working with young people towards establishing a volleyball net and playing area.
Before its temporary closure, The Spot was open Monday to Thursday from 1-5pm, with extended Friday hours offered for a short time. Attendance had been growing as more young people discovered the space.
Activities paused at 5pm on Friday, 28 August, following a staff member's resignation.
Trust spokesperson Trindi Walker says that The Spot will reopen once a staffing transition is complete. The trust is recruiting a qualified youth worker to work alongside its existing youth worker, as well as an administrator.
"Our wonderful youth workers offer so much commitment, passion and vision – The Spot is such a warm, welcoming, safe space," Trindi says.
"But that's exactly why we've made the extremely difficult decision to pause activity – to ensure The Spot is always a safe space for our youth workers and our rangatahi."
She understands the disappointment felt by those hoping a replacement could be found more quickly.
"We would have preferred less of a gap," Trindi says.
"But the trust has employment procedures and due process it is required to follow to protect the service's ongoing safety, funding and future security."
Former youth worker Tamanui Uerata says the closure weighs heavily on his heart. He saw The Spot’s programmes and relationships with young people gather momentum and hopes it can again be a reliable base where they feel comfortable speaking honestly.
"For me, knowing that right now there's not that space for kids, even though I'm not there, it plays on me."
Homeschooling mum Sophie England describes a home-away-from-home atmosphere, with adults outside the family who genuinely care for the young people. She says, the well-connected team created valuable learning opportunities, particularly for youth from out of town, while bringing together people who might not otherwise meet.
“The closure has left a bit of a hole,” she says.
Youth worker Jacinda Nurse is looking forward to returning to the mahi. “I was really excited that Motueka was finally going to have a dedicated youth development space outside of the schools,” she says.
“I think the Motueka community should be so proud of our local rangatahi. Those I have encountered are so respectful, and I feel so lucky to get to work with such awesome young people.”
Motueka High School staff member and parent Harold Helmbright says that students regularly use The Spot. The school's Careers Department runs courses there and cadets use the space to meet and prepare together.
He recently found a group of young cadets sitting outside, despondent it was closed.
“I would be stoked to see the doors open again,” he says.
One young Motueka person would welcome updates during the pause: “Even a regular online update for us young people would be good, so we know what’s happening and we know it’s coming back.”
The trust says that it looks forward to welcoming the community back and is keen to hear from people interested in volunteering, donating, or offering skills, programmes and activities. Interested people can email Trindi Walker at trindi.walkermot@gmail.com.
