What the Community Facilities Network Approach is
The Community Facilities Network Approach looks at community spaces across the whole Kāpiti Coast District.
Instead of asking, “what should we do with this building?”, we are asking:
This gives us more options. It helps us consider:
- Council-owned community halls and facilities
- community-owned buildings
- shared spaces
- partnerships with other organisations
- different ways to provide community spaces
- future investment needs
- long-term affordability.
Why we are taking this approach
Community facilities are important places for people to meet, take part in activities, learn, connect, and support each other.
But community needs are changing.
Some facilities are well used. Others are ageing, expensive to maintain, or no longer fit for the way people use community spaces today.
The goal is not to keep every building. The goal is to make sure people have access to the spaces they need.
In some cases, we may continue to own and run a facility. In other cases, the best option may be to work with another organisation that already owns or manages a suitable space.
This approach will help us balance community outcomes with affordability. It will also help make sure ratepayer funding is used where it provides the most value.
Looking at the whole network
We own and operate 11 community halls and facilities, but these are only part of the wider network.
Community spaces are also provided by:
- clubs
- churches
- schools
- community organisations
- other local groups and providers.
We will look at how all these spaces work together across Kāpiti.
This means we will not assess each Council building on its own. We will consider how the whole network can meet community needs now and in the future.
Gathering information
We will work with:
- people who use Council facilities
- local communities
- community organisations
- other community space providers
- regular user groups.
We want to better understand:
- what spaces people use now
- what spaces people may need in the future
- where there are gaps
- where access could be improved
- where partnerships may help
- how facilities can be affordable to use, run, and maintain.
This information will help us build an evidence-based framework for future decisions.
Waikanae – the first case study for this work.
We chose Waikanae because there is strong community interest in Waikanae Beach Hall, and we want to provide more certainty as soon as possible.
This work also aligns with the opening of Te Ara Whetū, the new library hub for Waikanae, which includes several new community spaces.
The Waikanae case study will look at the full network of facilities available in Waikanae. This includes Council-owned buildings and spaces owned or run by others.
We will use this case study to understand how community needs in Waikanae can best be met now and in the future.
Community input in Waikanae
Community input will be an important part of the Waikanae case study.
There will be opportunities for people to share their views as the approach is developed.
Temporary closure of Waikanae Beach Hall
Waikanae Beach Hall will temporarily close from 31 August 2026 while this work is underway.
We are working with regular users to help move activities to other facilities owned by us.
We are also exploring possible interim community venues within Waikanae Beach.
No decisions have been made about the long-term future of Waikanae Beach Hall.
Any permanent decision will follow the usual Council process and will use evidence gathered through this work.
We aim to identify a way forward for Waikanae Beach Hall by June 2027.
Project timeline
| Date | Activity |
| July–December 2026 | Develop the principles framework (what matters most when making decisions) and undertake Waikanae Case Study |
| January 2027 | Districtwide network assessment begins. |
| Early 2027 | Outcome of Waikanae Case Study, including clear direction for future community facilities in Waikanae |
| End of 2027 | Community Facilities Network Approach established. |