Our History

The whenua at 129 Spa Road sits above the powerful Waikato River and Lake Taupō making it a natural gathering place for generations of whānau.

Hapū have gathered here over the centuries, generations have been born here and most recently our community has been supported here. 

Since 1989, this space has been known as Waiora House. Later came the addition of the Tauhara and Ruapehu Wings.

The Waiora Community Trust (WCT) recognise that it is not the building that serves the community but the organisations and members that bring it to life serving the needs of our community.

The three buildings and their surrounds united under the name Waiora encompass the inclusive variety of spaces on the site and how each of them play a pivotal part in the Waiora kaupapa. 

Our Future

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. 

Waiora Community Trust is looking to the future. The new building will bring in a new way of working and a renewed sense of cooperation and collaboration. 

Waiora is a place to be treasured by both the community and the member organisations. To be a place where organisations can co-exist, collaborate and get better outcomes for the people we serve. A place to grow the impact of social organisations. 

It is a space where socially focussed, like minded organisations can thrive, coming together to connect and deliver services with our community.

It is a space that is owned by the community and embraces everyone with warmth and support.

This whakataukī talks to community, to collaboration and a strengths-based approach. It acknowledges that everybody has something to offer, a piece of the puzzle, and by working together we can all flourish. 

At Waiora, we recognise that hauora is at the heart of every person, whānau and community. A well-known concept of hauora, Te Whare Tapa Whā was developed by leading Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie in 1984. The model describes health and wellbeing as a wharenui/meeting house with four walls. 

These walls represent taha wairua/ spiritual wellbeing, taha hinengaro/ mental and emotional wellbeing, taha tinana/physical wellbeing and taha whānau/family and social wellbeing. Our connection with the whenua/land forms the foundation. 

When all these things are in balance, we thrive. When one or more of these is out of balance our wellbeing is impacted. At Waiora, we want to help those around us to find balance and for our communities to thrive. 

With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive. 

WHO WE ARE

  • YVONNE WESTERMAN

    CHAIR

    Yvonne holds a strong connection to Waiora, as her and her eight siblings were born in the former Maternity Hospital (now Waiora). This role carries special meaning as her mother, Dorothy, was instrumental in establishing the Trust and chaired it for many years. Dorothy’s vision helped create a place where community services could thrive. Yvonne follows in her mothers footsteps, with her passion to serve the community.

    Yvonne co-owns Bayleys Real Estate in Taupō and Tūrangi, along with Westerman Property Solutions in Taupō. Yvonne currently serves as a Taupō District Councillor, a Resource Consent Commissioner, an Associate of the Real Estate Institute of NZ, and an Accredited Property Manager.

  • VAL HOOGERBRUGGE

    DEPUTY CHAIR

    Val brings over 60 years of governance experience across a wide range of community-focused areas, including second-chance learning, education, refugee resettlement, social services, community safety, sport, Special Olympics, and is a Justice of the Peace.

    Val has contributed to both national and local boards, always with a focus on creating opportunities and building stronger communities. She currently serves as Chair of Age Concern Taupō Inc, the WHO Age-Friendly Group, and the Taupō Multicultural Council, as well as being the Deputy Chair of Waiora Trust.

    Val brings a breadth of experience to Waiora and a love of helping the community.

  • MICHAEL DOWNARD

    BOARD MEMBER

    Mike has proudly called Taupō home for over 35 years, where he and his wife Tania raised five children. With extensive leadership experience, Mike has served as Taupō District Councillor (6 years), Deputy Mayor (3 years), Waikato Regional Councillor (3 years), and held board chair roles in education and community organisations.

    He has contributed to groups such as St John, Search and Rescue, Blue Light NZ, Waiora Trust, and the Sports Advisory Council. As a business owner for 30 years, managing up to 30 staff, he brings sound decision-making, with a focus on fairness, integrity and dedication to his community.

  • RACHEL SHEPHERD

    BOARD MEMBER

    In her role on the Waiora Trust Board, Rachel serves as the Taupō District Council representative in her capacity as a Taupō District Councillor. Outside of Council, she manages leased tenancies and develops commercial property, creating a natural synergy with the Trust’s mission to provide high-quality, affordable working spaces for community groups and social service providers.

    Having long admired the work of Waiora Trust, she is pleased to contribute to supporting such a vital area of need in the community and to champion the organisations that work tirelessly for the benefit of the Taupō District.

  • CHRIS JOHNSTON

    BOARD MEMBER

    Chris has been the owner-operator of Replete Café & Store for more than 32 years. From 2009 to 2012, he served as a Taupō District Councillor, acting as liaison officer to Waiora House. Following his council term, he joined the Waiora Trust Board and served as Chair from 2020 to 2023, playing a key role in the rebuild and transition from the old Waiora model to the new.

    Passionate about giving back to the community, Chris also serves as Chair of the Taupō Airport Authority and as a board member of Town Centre Taupō. Chris strongly believes in the importance of supporting those in need at a local level, with Waiora’s dedicated social services hub providing an effective way to do so.

  • DEB HUGHES

    BOARD MEMBER

    Deb is a semi-retired GP who moved to Aotearoa in 1989, where she married and raised two children. Alongside her general practice work, she served as Medical Director for Anamata Café and has contributed to organisations including Pihanga Health, ARC Counselling, PHARMAC, and the Ministry of Health as a representative for the Royal NZ College of GPs.

    Deb remains active in the Taupō community, continuing some GP work and serving on the Waiora Community Trust board. Having worked in the old Waiora House for many years, she is excited to help shape the future of the new building and those it supports.

  • GILLIAN TAPLIN

    GENERAL MANAGER

    Gillian is Waiora’s General Manager, responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the building and ensuring it remains a welcoming hub for the community. She brings extensive experience from her previous role as Events Manager at Taupō District Council, where she played a key part in delivering some of the district’s most significant events.

    With a strong background in coordination and logistics, Gillian ensures the efficient running of Waiora while fostering a connected, supportive environment where social services and community groups can thrive together under one roof.

  • CAITLYN MACRAE

    RECEPTIONIST

    Caitlyn is Waiora’s receptionist and a familiar, friendly face to everyone who visits. She manages enquiries, bookings, and day-to-day reception operations, making sure things run smoothly while creating a warm, welcoming environment.

    Alongside her work at Waiora, Caitlyn is also a Pilates instructor, sharing her passion for health and movement. She loves meeting people from all walks of life through her role and being part of such a connected, supportive community.