Got a job to do? Get a bloke to finish it

When you have a job to do and nobody to do it, where do you turn?

To a shed full of men of course — the Taupo¯ Community Men’s Shed.

The Men’s Shed is a place for men from throughout the Taupo¯ and wider community space to share their skills, have a laugh and work on practical tasks individually for their own projects or as a group for the shed or the community.

And when ITM Taupo¯ owner Warren Johnson found himself unexpectedly with six unfinished playhouses on his hands, it was the Taupo¯ Community Men’s Shed that came to mind.

“I thought I’m not going to let them rot and take up space, so I thought why don’t I give these to the men’s shed, they’ll do them up.”

ITM Taupo¯ was the main sponsor of the Certified Builders’ regional apprentice challenge in April where building apprentices had the task of putting together a castle playhouse to a set of detailed construction plans.

The winner was Jayden Jensen who went on to compete at the Certified Builders national final in Rotorua two weeks ago. Eventual national winner was Russell building apprentice Matt Hatchard.

Following the Taupo¯ regional apprentice challenge though, six unfinished playhouses were left over and Men’s Shed member Jack Bellamy, with the help of fellow member Ian Walker, took on the challenge of finishing them off. ITM Taupo¯ bought two, which it gave to Certified Builders to give away at its national conference, and Top Kids Motutaiko took another two to have as playhouses at its early childhood education centre. Jack, who had done all the work, sold one to a mate and the last one will be raffled off to raise money for Greening Taupo¯. Frederik Frank of the Taupo¯ Community Men’s Shed said the shed has a close association with ITM Taupo¯ and Warren who has been “incredibly generous” in keeping them supplied with screws and leftover materials.

“He’s recognised what the men’s shed does and he supplied us with plywood and equipment and nuts and bolts and that sort of thing. It’s great local support.” Frederik says selling four of the playhouses raises money to go back into running the Men’s Shed on the AC Reserve.

“Money doesn’t last long here.”

Photo / Laurilee McMichael Amiria-Marie Rawiri, 2, from Top Kids Motutaiko in one of the finished playhouses. With her is (back row from left) Joe Ridley, Dave Herd, Frederik Frank. Top Kids Motutaiko teacher Amanda Lockwood and Warren Johnson of ITM Taupo¯ are in front.