16 August 2025

We have established a sub-committee to oversee the progress of the work to secure land and start the design conversations for new facilities.  This sub-committee will be lead by Kaye Ryan and supported by Kerry Delaney (Life Member), Tayne McMahon, and Jonesy.  Over time additional members may be required with specific skill sets.  We will keep you updated.  It has been an exciting week for the project.  Update below.

Conversation with Scott Bicknell from VEROS, a company funded by SLSNZ to carry out our feasibility study.

VEROS will help us to navigate the different parts of the project e.g. 

• carrying out the feasibility study – leading to proof of project,
• funding streams - down to identifying local funders and providing templates to send, and
• design and consenting and arranging pre committed funding from SLNZ to start the build.

Their key role is maintain momentum and to help us navigate the processes in a professional and organised manner for successful delivery.

What’s next? 

Once we have the detail from PCC, we will work with VEROS to discuss club requirements.

PCC workshop

Kaye and Tayne met with three people from PCC (Julian, Stuart and Vic) and Kelly, an external consultant who will take the lead in creating the evidence trail for our pathway to gaining land.

This session was about identifying our criteria for land, we came up with about 12 including: access to the beach, emergency service access, large enough foot print, community use, etc. The criteria list included some club needs and some ‘community/council’ needs.  We looked at a range of locations across the beach, eight in total, and mapped how they could meet those needs.  Kelly will work on these and to bring them back to us for consideration.

We did not get into the design or actual club requirements other than talking about needing storage, needing height and showing them what the club and equipment and functional areas currently look like.

08 August 2025

Titahi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club Rebuild Project Update

Late last year we approached Porirua City Council Chief Executive Wendy Walker for a meeting to discuss the challenge Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club is facing, our lease is due to expire in 2032 and we are unable to rebuild in the same place or extend the lease due to the club being in the coastal erosion zone.  We had entered the long term planning process in 2023, however that process unfortunately stalled.  Our ask was land for a new club so we could begin our efforts to secure funding for the new build.  Whilst seven years seems like a long time, with the amount of effort required that is a relatively short timeframe. 

The meeting was really productive and we were given permission to enter into the annual planning cycle which occurred in May this year, we submitted a paper [refer link below] to the Council outlining our ask and we presented to the councillors in person.  We tried to remain very flexible in our request from a location point of view and have indicated we are open to collaboration with the council for shared spaces within the build e.g. a community room.  Officials have now been instructed to work with the club to identify land.  There is a planning session with council officials on 13 August 2025 to develop the next steps and actions. A verbal update will be provided at the AGM.

Alongside that we have been engaging with SLSNZ, the SLSNZ board just last month approved $75,000 to undertake a feasibility study.  The feasibility study will be undertaken by VEROS Ltd who are frequently used by SLSNZ for these reports.  The study includes -

• Meeting with the club to understand needs
• Working with the club to develop a concept for the CAPEX project
• Work with the club to highlight and reduce risk

The feasibility report will be the first step to accessing funding to -

• Progress and fund reports for the project such as geotechnical and environmental reports
• Required step for many third party funders like Lotteries
• Is a requirement for further SLSNZ funding to design, consent, procure and construct.

The first meeting with VEROS is on 14 August 2025 to develop an approach.

It is planned to establish a subcommittee – reporting to the committee to focus on the rebuild.  We are happy to have Kerry Delaney one of our Life Members come on board the subcommittee and Glen Jones. If anyone is interested please let a committee member know.  It is intended to provide regular updates and involve the broader club in key aspects of the project.  At the moment it really is planning, planning, planning.

Kaye Ryan

Chairperson