Help the Women’s Shed Build Our Own Space for the Community
After five weeks of steady progress, the Women’s Shed in Queenstown is nearing completion, with its long-awaited permanent home set to open to the community in May.
The new shed, located at Country Lane in Frankton, marks a significant milestone for the grassroots initiative, which has grown rapidly since launching just over two years ago. What began as a series of small tool workshops run from a shared space has evolved into a thriving community. Now, that momentum is being carried into a purpose-built space designed to meet increasing demand.
Founder Alex van Dam says the near-completion of the build is both exciting and a relief after a period of uncertainty when the group’s previous lease was coming to an end.
“It’s been a long process designing, planning, securing funding and building, but to now be standing in a space that’s almost ready to open - something that’s been built specifically for this community - is pretty special.”
The expanded facility will allow the organisation to increase workshop capacity, diversify its programmes, and introduce more open-access community sessions. It will also strengthen pathways into trades, building on existing introductory workshops and creating opportunities for participants to develop practical skills that could lead to apprenticeships or further training in trade-based careers.
The new site has been designed with flexibility in mind, supporting both structured courses and casual, drop-in use.
van Dam says accessibility remains central to the kaupapa.
“We’ve always wanted this to be a space where women can walk in and feel welcome and capable, regardless of their experience level.”
While the structure itself is nearly finished, attention is now turning to the final fit-out, with tools, workstations and safety equipment being installed ahead of opening. Support from local funders, businesses, and volunteers has been instrumental in getting the project to this stage.
The team is still encouraging community support as they complete the final stages of the build and prepare the space for opening. Donations can be made via their Givealittle page: givealittle.co.nz/cause/save-the-womens-shed-queenstown
Their website also provides more information about workshops and upcoming events: www.womensshedaotearoa.org.nz
As the final stages of construction wrap up, anticipation is building for the official opening next month. For many involved, it represents not just the end of a build, but the beginning of a new phase.
What started as an idea - to create a space where women could learn, build, and back themselves - has now quite literally been built from the ground up. And come mid-May, the doors will open.
