Roslyn Community Hub Feasibility Study

This project was requested by Palmerston North City Council, MASH Trust, Roslyn REACH, ACROSS, and The House Next Door.

The feasibility study assessed the viability of establishing a locality-based hub in Roslyn. It was anticipated the hub would bring together social, educational, and wellbeing services into a single coordinated space. By fostering collaboration among the identified providers, and creating a welcoming and accessible space, the hub aimed to improve outcomes for individuals and families/whānau in the Roslyn area.

The feasibility study sought to answer the following questions:

1. What were the strengths, needs and aspirations of the Roslyn community? 
2. What were the key partners and stakeholders' (mana whenua, providers, schools, youth, ethnic groups, churches and wider community) perspectives, expectations, potential contributions and concerns about a community hub in Roslyn?
3. How could a community hub enhance the current services available in Roslyn? 
4. What were the success factors and risks of a Roslyn community hub (for example, operational, strategic, or community risks)?
5. Who had previously been consulted about a Roslyn community hub, and what were the nature and outcomes of these consultations? 
6. What would be the most effective operational and governance model for the delivery of services through the Roslyn community hub?
7. What were the spatial requirements necessary for the Roslyn community hub to function effectively and to accommodate the aspirations of the community?
8. What were the expected outcomes for residents using the Roslyn community hub?

The approach overall was informed by Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), participatory methods and co-design principles. Families, whānau and the community were actively engaged in the design and development process, recognising that strong service user, family and community involvement and co-design were vital to the project's success.

The feasibility study had four phases:

• ‍Phase 1: Prepare
  
  • collateral development, ethics approval
• Phase 2: Engage
  
  • online survey, drop-in sessions, focus groups, key informant interviews, asset-mapping, photo voice
• Phase 3: Create
  
  • co-design group workshop, photo voice workshop
• Phase 4: Share
  
  • photo voice exhibition, community feedback, written report

This research received ethics approval from the Aotearoa Research Ethics Committee (AREC25_47).

Insights and Impact

The Roslyn Community Hub Feasibility Study engaged 154 residents, community leaders, service providers, youth, older people, migrant and refugee communities, and other stakeholders through surveys, interviews, focus groups, drop-in sessions, photovoice activities, and co-design workshops.

The findings revealed strong support for a community hub as a way to strengthen wellbeing, improve access to services, and build stronger community connections.

Key Insights

Roslyn's strengths lie in its people and places

Residents identified community spirit, cultural diversity, belonging, and strong local relationships as key strengths. Important community assets included local schools, churches, parks, Pitt Park, the swimming pool, library, community services, and social housing.

There is strong demand for accessible support and services

Participants highlighted the need for:

• Youth activities and dedicated youth spaces
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Food security and practical assistance
• Better support for older people
• More opportunities for social connection and participation
• Improved accessibility for disabled people, older residents, migrants, and refugees.

A community hub can strengthen existing services

Residents saw value in bringing health, social, educational, cultural, and wellbeing services together in one welcoming and accessible location. A hub was envisioned as a community "one-stop shop" that would improve visibility, coordination, and access to support.

Community leadership is critical

Participants emphasised that any future hub should be community-led, affordable, culturally responsive, and accessible. Strong partnerships and meaningful involvement from mana whenua, community organisations, and local residents were seen as essential to its success.

Potential Impact

The study identified four key outcomes a future Roslyn Community Hub could deliver:

Collaboration

• Stronger partnerships between community groups, service providers, mana whenua, government agencies, and residents.
• Better coordination of services and community initiatives.

Inclusion

• Greater social connection, belonging, and participation across cultures, generations, and abilities.
• More opportunities for intercultural and intergenerational engagement.

Capability

• Improved access to education, skills development, digital literacy, employment support, health services, and practical assistance.
• Increased resilience and wellbeing for individuals, families, and whānau.

Sustainability

• Support for community-led environmental initiatives, such as gardens, kitchens, and sustainability projects.
• Opportunities for social enterprise that would contribute to the hub's long-term viability.

Overall Impact

The study demonstrated both a clear need and strong community support for a Roslyn Community Hub. Residents consistently described the hub as an opportunity to improve access to services, strengthen community connections, support vulnerable populations, and enhance community wellbeing.

The findings provided a strong evidence base to guide future planning, investment, and decision-making, ensuring that any future hub reflected the aspirations, strengths, and needs of the Roslyn community.

Status

Project Complete

We are pleased to share that the Roslyn Community Hub Feasibility Study has now been completed. The project outputs are available in the PROJECT OUTPUTS AND LINKS column, including the Full Report and a Snapshot summary highlighting the key findings and recommendations.

The final report was presented to, discussed by, and formally received at the Palmerston North City Council Community Resilience and Sustainability Committee on 10 June 2026. The Council meeting agenda and report can be viewed in the Committee Meeting PDF, and a recording of the Committee's discussion is available on Youtube (9:02-47:05)

The project team would like to sincerely acknowledge and thank the many residents, whānau, community groups, service providers, schools, churches, mana whenua representatives, and stakeholders whose participation and insights contributed to the feasibility study and helped shape its findings and recommendations.