Local Branches: Gisborne/Tairawhiti
Address: 38 Childers Rd c/- The Poverty Bay Club, Gisborne 4010
Phone: (06) 8688826
Chairperson: Nicole McGregor
Email: gisborne@autismnz.org.nz
Please contact Nicole on the above number if you would like to be in contact with other families.
We meet on the 2nd Sunday of every month 2pm at the Poverty Bay Club, we also have bimonthly DVD nights.
1. Extremely Affordable Holiday Accomodation for Families
An old cottage restored by IHC and IDEA Services has been highly commended in the 2007 CRESA Community Housing Awards.
The three bedroom house now named Kauri Cottage offers rural holiday accommodation for people with an intellectual disability and their families. It was awarded runner-up by Community Housing Aotearoa Inc because of its conversion from a rundown cottage to quality wheelchair accessible accommodation.
Gisborne area manager Fiona Giles says Kauri Cottage was an uninhabitable building bought a few years ago as part of a package of land and buildings.
The previous owners relocated the house and installed it on new foundations with the intention of restoring it as a farm stay. While it had a lot of character it was in a dilapidated condition says Fiona.
After consulting with families and people using IDEA Services , Fiona suggested refurbishing the cottage so that it could be used for people to take a break. The Cameron Road property already has a day service and residential home, so there is plenty of support available on site.
Funding for costs of modification was provided from bequests left to IHC for use in the Gisborne region.
The IHC committee supported the project and committed themselves to undertaking all maintenance work or funding the work through fundraising endeavours.
The house was called Kauri Cottage because it was built with kauri timber and had kauri panelling throughout.
Restoration included a new roof, repairs to cladding, painting and the addition of verandas with wheelchair ramp access.
The interior was stripped and relined, insulated and redecorated. The back lean-to area was opened up to provide open plan living, dining and kitchen areas. A new kitchen and laundry was installed. A new bathroom, including toilet basin and shower, was designed to be wheelchair accessible.
Kauri Cottage has been extensively modified to enable people with intellectual disabilities living at home with families or in IDEA Services to take a break in a pleasant, relaxing rural environment. It also provides an emergency service for people who struggle to find a suitable environment, for
example the cottage enables families to have an affordable holiday with the entire family, where a motel or camping ground is not practical for a disabled family member.
“We believe we have provided a unique accessible respite facility that will be well used by many for a break in a relaxing environment,” said Fiona.
This is seen as a pilot project with potential for application in other parts of the country.
This is very affordable at $30 per night. For further information and bookings please ring Jean or Connie at the Gisborne Office. Ph: 06 868-4158 or email gisborne.wairoa@idea.org.nz
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