Let’s create something meaningful together.
For a decade, The Loft has stood as a welcoming, accessible hub where individuals and whānau can find the support they need — without barriers, without judgment, and without having to navigate complex systems alone.
2014–2016
Building a Collaborative Model
As agencies began rebuilding their services, conversations turned into partnerships. Leaders across the sector recognised that people were falling through the cracks, not because help didn’t exist, but because accessing it was too hard. Together, they designed a new model — one built on collaboration, co‑location, and wraparound support. The Loft was envisioned as a place where people could walk in, be heard, and be connected to the right support quickly and safely.
2016 - 2020
During its early years, The Loft expanded rapidly to meet the needs of the community.
Kaitūhono Hapori / Community Connectors became the heart of the service, listening to people’s stories, identifying their needs, and creating personalised plans to help them move forward.
The Loft’s wraparound approach meant people could receive support with housing, mental health, financial mentoring, family violence, legal issues, and more — all from a single point of entry.
2023-2026
Today, The Loft stands as one of Ōtautahi’s most trusted wellbeing hubs. With a decade of experience, the service has refined its collaborative model, streamlined referrals, and strengthened relationships with partner agencies. The drop‑in service continues to operate Monday to Friday, 9am–3pm, offering advice, advocacy, crisis navigation, and connections to essential services for anyone who needs them.
2010 – 2011
A City in Crisis Sparks a New Vision
In the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes, countless community organisations were displaced, and thousands of residents found themselves needing support from multiple agencies at once. The traditional model — scattered services, long waitlists, and confusing referral pathways — simply wasn’t meeting the scale of need. Out of this disruption came a bold idea: a shared space where wellbeing, social, and community services could work side‑by‑side to support people more effectively.
2016 - The Loft opens
In 2016, The Loft officially opened on Level 1 of Eastgate Shopping Centre, positioned between Linwood Library and Tend Medical Centre. From day one, the space was intentionally warm, welcoming, and accessible — a place where anyone could drop in without an appointment. Around 15 partner agencies joined the collaboration, offering clinics, advice, and specialist services under one roof.
2020-2023
As social pressures increased across the region, The Loft formalised its Social Emergency Response Service (SERS). This service provided immediate support for people in crisis, including safety planning, advocacy, and urgent referrals. The Loft also began offering limited donated items such as food and essential goods, while connecting people to food banks, emergency accommodation, and other critical services. Throughout this period, The Loft remained committed to its no‑barrier approach: anyone could walk in, no eligibility criteria required.