About Us
Situated in a prime location in the centre of Ashburton, Community House Mid Canterbury (CHMC) offers a range of spaces for a variety of uses. There are ongoing tenancies, one-off hire solutions and other daily services that can be utilised by anyone in the community.
CHMC is a Charitable Trust made up of a passionate and committed team of voluntary board members who work together to ensure we achieve our primary objective of providing affordable office space and services to the NFP sector. CHMC is home to 23 permanent tenants and 7 casual tenants, offering a wide range of activities that can be easily accessible to the local community, including:
Health and wellbeing services
Support groups
Community meetings and seminars
Regular social get-togethers
Development programs
We are all about offering services that promote community wellbeing, support vulnerable people, help people help themselves, promote community or cultural identity and help people recognise again that they belong to, and can take part in, their community.
We exist to provide a place where our community can find services that improve their lives, and the lives of their families/whānau and carers, by providing direct, accessible and high-quality community-based support.
CHMC thrives because of its people, the staff, service providers and the many visitors who access the hub each day. Social connectedness naturally happens from the moment the doors open until they close each day.
People who access community house to receive support include – single parent families, former refugees, migrants and newcomers, people seeking advice, people with mental health stress, senior citizens, new parents, primary and high school age students experiencing health problems, people needing anger management or under court orders to attend stopping violence courses, people with disabilities, volunteers and much more.
Other services we offer are the hiring of our community van, photocopying and scanning facilities and a short-term wheelchair hire.
Community House Mid Canterbury
Our People
Robbie Ross
FACILITIES MANAGER
Jo Clement
Reception | Social Media
Details to come
Reception | Administration
Natasha Wilson
CHAIRPERSON
Community House Mid Canterbury
Our Board
We operate by a charitable trust made up of a team of voluntary board members who are committed and passionate about providing the Mid Canterbury area with the best resources possible for its local communities.
The team of staff situated in Community House include an onsite Manager, and two Receptionists, who also perform Social Media duties and Accounts processing.
The Community House is funded by annual grants, donations, ongoing venue hire and the hire of the community van, as well as the occasional fundraiser. We would like to thank our supporters and ongoing funders for their support of Community House Mid Canterbury.
Dave Mathieson
TRUSTEE
David Rush
trustee
Henry McManus
trustee
Sarah Lovell
Trustee
Jenny Brady
trustee
Community House Mid Canterbury
Our History
Community House Mid Canterbury (CHMC) was established in 1994 as the Ashburton Resource Centre (ARC). A Steering Committee formed by members of the then Ashburton Council of Social Services established a constitution and sought a suitable premise to operate out of. Charitable Trust status was officially granted in December 1994, and with the location of suitable premises, the ARC opened its doors to the community in January 1995.
The ARC opened with two agencies as tenants, increasing to five by the end of 1995. This first year also saw the tenant agencies flourish, as they appointed additional staff and expanded their office areas. In 2009, the ARC gained Charities Commission registration.
On 1 November 2010, the ARC changed its name to Community House Mid Canterbury. The change of name reflected changing terminology and created brand alignment with Community Houses throughout New Zealand.
Community House Mid Canterbury was established with the mission to provide a low-cost, safe and welcoming community hub for not-for-profit community, welfare, health, and social service organisations. This facility, now spread across two buildings, houses over forty different services.
People who access community house to receive support include – single parent families, former refugees, migrants and newcomers, Pasifika communities, people with mental health stress, senior citizens, new parents, primary and high school age students experiencing health problems, people needing anger management or under court orders to attend stopping violence courses, people with disabilities, volunteers and more.
Community House is dedicated to creating a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families within our community. Our facility is a hub of networking, collaboration, education, and support, catering to a diverse range of community needs.
In May 2012, following the Canterbury earthquakes and changes to the Building Code, Community House Mid Canterbury (CHMC) was required to relocate. At the time, finding suitable and affordable premises was difficult. However, CHMC was able to secure a temporary location that allowed operations to continue. Unfortunately, the new space was much smaller and could only accommodate one-third of the original tenants, significantly reducing CHMC’s ability to serve the community.
Tragedy struck the Ashburton Community in September 2014 with the fatal shooting of two members of staff at the then WINZ office in Ashburton.
Following this, the building was vacant, and discussions around its future were taking place. The Community House Mid Canterbury Charitable Trust board saw an opportunity to create some good out of tragedy, and in 2015, with the help of generous funders, the Community House Mid Canterbury Charitable Trust purchased its current premises at 44 Cass Street, Ashburton.
Then in 2023, the Trust purchased the adjacent building at 255 Moore Street, Ashburton; this was placed under long-term lease to Safer Mid Canterbury, who had been tenants in the main building.
Community house mid canterbury
Our Values
Respect
Manaakitanga
At community house we uphold the value of manaakitanga – showing care, respect, and kindness to all, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed, valued, and supported.
Relationships
Whanaungatanga
At community house we foster strong, meaningful connections so that everyone feels a sense of belonging, support, and shared purpose in community house.
Guardianship
Kaitiakitanga
At community house, we practise kaitiakitanga by caring for our property, our people, and our shared spaces with responsibility and respect — ensuring a warm, safe, and welcoming space for now and for future generations.
Understanding
Māramatanga
At community house, we value māramatanga — fostering understanding, clarity, and shared insight to support informed decisions and strengthen our relationships with tenants and the wider community.
Our Vision
To provide a low-cost, safe and welcoming community hub for not-for-profit community, welfare, health, and social service organisations.
To create a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families within our community.
To provide a hub of networking, collaboration, education, and support, catering to a diverse range of community needs.
Our Mission
To provide a venue as a hub for the community where individuals and groups gain access to activities, services and information in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
We are indebted to our generous local businesses and supporting funders for their commitment to helping us continue to serve the Community House Mid Canterbury.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of these funding bodies who have been an integral part of the Community House throughout the years.
The Lion Foundation
Braided Rivers Trust
Community Trust
NZ Lotteries
KPMG
Air Rescue
COGS
Advance Ashburton
Lions Club Ashburton
Good in the Hood
Perpetual Guardian
Ideal Foundation