Meet the team

Haven has a long-standing history of serving the people and communities of Auckland, particularly in Avondale.
Our trust was founded by a group of individuals who were passionate about living in community, building meaningful connections, and serving those around them. Their vision was to see people thrive and reach their full potential in life.

While our services have evolved over the years, our core values have remained the same. These values continue to guide everything we do and shape the way we support our community.

Simplicity: To seek to live simple, unstressed lives focused on the essential across our community actions. 

Social Connection: Supporting, promoting and strengthening opportunities for people to be connected to their neighbours and community. Fostering a sense of belonging, collaboration, and mutual support to strengthen connections and achieve common goals.

Collaboration: Building ‘Social Capital’ by seeking to work in partnership with other agencies in our area, endeavouring to build a better community and society. Working together to amplify impact and foster a sense of unity and shared purpose. 

Servant Leadership: Leading with empathy, humility, and a commitment to empowering and supporting those we serve. Having a willingness to prioritise, support and meet the needs of others rather than pursuing our own individual projects, programmes or goals. 

Hospitality: Creating a welcome, inclusive, and caring environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Extending kindness, courtesy, and friendship to all; but especially to the poor (the marginalized, and lonely).

We ran a Social Welfare home and mentoring place through Haven in Herne Bay.

Founding members Gayle and Geoff , Sue, Pirie and Lynne formed community and moved to Avondale. We owned and ran a large community house. We started hosting international organisations speaking through NZ who then established their NZ operations. 

This year was when we started the important work of connecting Charities and offering governance support. Holding  governance roles continues to this day and is a big part of our values/ethos.

Kodesh Trust was formed. Strategic priorities established and core-values named to inform the direction of the Trust. Accommodation was made available to live in community; support for those journeying through family breakdowns and mental health.  

A further large neighbouring house (Shalom Trust) was expanded into the community/Kodesh.

Identified a need and started hosting the migrant community/particularly Asian. We opened our home to migrants and students, who needed a place to belong and settle into life in New Zealand. These relationships continue to this day.

Gayle and Geoff, co founders of  Orama Trust, stepped into the Directorship role at Great Barrier Island.

Hosted Creation Care Study Programme for the first time in NZ. Funding generational Environmental commitment. They continue to operate in NZ. 

Renamed to Haven Foundation, amalgamated two Trusts (Shalom and Kodesh). Pirie took over Directorship of the Trust. Avondale local networking had started to gather momentum. 

Sold community residential houses and relocated to running an office hub and renting 2 residential houses locally.

Purchased 1855 Great North Road and started Haven Avondale. A community offering and place to create opportunities for people, groups and businesses to meet, collaborate their ideas, and come together over coffee.