Our Story
SuperGrans Manawatū Charitable Trust has been operating in the greater Manawatū since 2005.
Our Vision
A community that utilises its resources to ensure all people have sustainable life skills to support them in an equitable future.
Our Purpose
To support and strengthen the community through in-home mentoring and workshops. To share skills and knowledge for safe, healthy, sustainable budget living to enable individuals and whanaū to take greater control of their own future.
SuperGrans was first established in 1994 in Lower Hutt by Erin McMenamin who at the time was volunteering for the local foodbank. Erin noticed that people were removing items from their food parcels that they were unsure of how to use. Erin was concerned that half of the food parcel was being returned so thought that this was where we can do the best to help people and communities and so the concept of SuperGrans was born.
There are now 12 branches throughout the country, who although are separate trusts with their own community emphasis, all share the common goal of sharing skills and knowledge particularly in the food area. See Supergrans Aotearoa website for more information.
SuperGrans Manawatū Charitable Trust has been operating in the Manawatū since 2005 after receiving a grant from the Ministry of Social Development. The organisation began with 1 part time staff member and volunteers. We have evolved since and presently have six volunteer Trustees, five paid part time staff and are supported by a team of 45 volunteers.
Our volunteers are people of all ages from all walks of life who are able to draw on their experience in household management, raising a family, gardening and general practical skills. They pass on skills and gift their time to help people achieve their goals in everyday life skills. They come from diverse backgrounds (and not all are grans!)
We are funded through a generous donation from the Wright Family Foundation and grants from Palmerston North City Council, the Lotteries Grants Board and other generous supporters.
Our People
Our Team
Joanne Baird
Manager
Joanne started at SuperGrans Manawatū in 2015 as One on One Co-ordinator and was promoted to Manager in 2019. She has a background in occupational therapy and family support work. With a passion for positive skill-passing and a firm belief in intergenerational mentoring she feels very privileged to work for this wonderful organisation. Joanne enjoys getting to know the highly skilled mentors who volunteer for SuperGrans and finding new ways to utilise their skills while meeting the needs of our Manawatū community.
Georgie Rynhart
Workshop Facilitator
A Palmy local, Georgie grew up on the outskirts of town in a household where something was always being grown or harvested or preserved or repaired. After a degree in Horticulture at Massey and a few years working in the Plant Science area, Georgie has spent the last phase of her life planting, pickling, preserving, sewing, knitting and mending while raising 4 children. She started working with SuperGrans at the end of 2023 and is excited that she is now able to share those traditional skills with more than just her family.
Lucy Palmer
Administrator
Having grown up in Palmerston North, Lucy is now raising her own two children in this great city. While spending time at home with her children, she has enjoyed finding moments to sew, grow flowers and learn how to upholster furniture.
Lucy has an administrative background, having worked for other community organisations. She is excited to join SuperGrans and the wonderful team and what they do for the community.
Lucy, Esther, Jayme, Georgie, and Joanne
Our Board
Dave Mollard
Trustee
Dave is a Human Resources Director for an Iwi Health provider, and is passionate about building resilience and delivering equity to our community. Dave is the kaitiaki of Awapuni Community Gardens, a member of the Palmerston North Volunteer Fire Brigade and writes a community-focused opinion piece in the Manawatū Guardian and the NZ Herald. Dave sits at the table of the community collective Ora Konnect and leads its 4412 Kai Security Squad.
Dave grew up in Palmerston North and loves supporting the work Supergrans does showing Aroha to our community.
Melissa Hemi
Trustee
Born and raised by my Kuia in Taitoko, Melissa has spent the last 2.5 years working as the Kaihanga Kaha or Māori Liaison for OPAL CS at Rangitāne Bestcare Whakapai Hauora.
Her passion lies in improving the health and wellbeing of kaumātua in Te Papaioea and the surrounding areas.
Being around kaumātua is one of Melissa’s happiest places, and working alongside them is truly a dream job. She is also excited to be joining the board for Supergrans, where she look forward to further contributing to the community she hold dear.
Our Funders
We would like to express our thanks to the many supporters who have helped us help the community. Our free services have been made possible with the generous assistance from the following funders and sponsors:
