Back in January this year as a group of a few local enthusiasts, we launched the Paekākāriki Tool Library on a hunch. We were imagining a place where people shared their tools and their skills – where instead of throwing out old or unused tools, they could be maintained and reused; rather than buying new tools everyone could borrow what they needed for a specific project. There was no guarantee this idea would fly but it did! In Paekakariki style!
In January, we signed an agreement with the NZ Scouts Association, and shortly after our new Tool Library opened and received interest, support and wonderful excitement from our community. Lots has been happening at the Scout Hall since it opened. It has felt like Christmas every week as we receive so many gifted tools, generous donations and some grants!!
Now that the Tool Library has landed in Paekākāriki, the ripple effects are beginning to spread too. Beyond just getting the use of the right tool for the job, locals are meeting each other over coffee and cake, learning new skills, and gaining the confidence to take on projects they might never have otherwise considered. Learning to safely and effectively use a range of tools is a bonus for many, and the economies of borrowing rather than buying is a satisfying pushback against the culture of consumerism and designed obsolescence. There is also more space in certain local garages and sheds, while some tools are now feeling the TLC they have missed for some time! The Tool Library is becoming another way and another expression of sharing and caring, so typical for our community. It’s what makes a village tick.
So what have we been up to since the opening in January?
- Over 170 items have been donated by the community and we’ve set up an online catalogue that anyone can access https://paekakariki-tool-library.myturn.com/library/
- So far, over 100 Paekakariki residents have registered. See below – it’s so easy to join!!
- We’ve opened the Library at the Scout Hall each Saturday, sometimes with a special focus such as the tool sharpening. To support this, we’ve bought a very nifty diamond sharpener for small tools like secateurs and a slow bench grinder for larger tools like spades. Members can either get their tools sharpened by our team or learn to do it themselves, using the Tool Library’s sharpening gear.
- Lisa Richardson, our local designer, has created a stunning poster illustrating the essence of our village and how the Tool Library operates. It captures the beauty of sustainable cycles and systems that create connections across our village.
- The Tool Library has received almost $1000 in cash donations from our community – nga mihi nui.
- We’ve received several one-off grants to get us started. Thanks to Paekakariki Community Board for a grant towards general set up costs. Also, nga mihi to the ‘Green Neighbourhood Scheme’ and the MfE Waste Minimisation Grant (via KCDC. Most grant funds are being spent on purchasing tools, with the balance going to overheads. Thank you too to all involved in securing these funds.
- Last, but by no means least, the Pelorus Trust, to which we applied for on behalf of the Scout Association, provided funding to give the hall its clean new look. It’s been freshly painted by local painter Rick from ‘Red Star Painters’ and now looks well-loved on the outside. The inside will hopefully come next….
Can anyone else use the Scout Hall now?
Yes. The hall is for hire. The Scout Hall complements the other bigger village halls (St Peters and Memorial Hall). Iit’s like a little sibling, with its own charm. It’s a rustic low budget, alcohol-free venue for small events/meetings/workshops. Because it’s nestled in amongst houses, events need to finish by 9:00pm.
New hours at the Tool Library:
Note that from now on, Saturday hours will be: 10.00am -12.00pm
Ensuring the future of the Tool Library – how do we stand on our own feet?
At the launch, we invited people to register for free for the first few months. This worked really well to bring people on board as we were finding our feet. As of 1 June, we invite all members of the Tool Library to pay a contribution, once a year. Rather than setting a fixed fee, we suggest a scale, from zero to $50 per year – whatever people wish and can afford to pay. All payments received will go towards paying for our rent of the hall (we hire it from the Scout Association), running the website, buying and maintaining tools, etc. So far we have operated using some amazing one-off set-up grants. but the Tool Library needs to operate sustainably into the future.
The Tool Library is not its own legal entity but part of POG “Paekakariki Orchards and Gardens Inc” We have our own suffix account but POG is the owner, so payments go to ‘Paekakariki Orchards and Gardens’ 38-9014-0247291-02. Please include your name and Tool Library in the reference when making your payment.
