YWCA – Where Journeys Begin

In the heart of Kirikiriroa is the home of the Young Women Association Hostel YWCA. Located near Lake Rotoroa, the hostel is like gold to people arriving in an unfamiliar place.

The YWCA has been supporting and championing women for decades, often changing the course of their lives. One branch of their work is accommodation. The Hamilton YWCA hostel was officially launched in 1951, with its main aim to offer safe and affordable accommodation for people in Kirikiriroa, and beyond. 

The facility has approximately seventy rooms, prioritising women, but also providing accommodation space for men. It is conveniently located near essential facilities to easily manoeuvre a new city. This has been a stepping-stone for international workers and students from all over the world, preparing them for greater days in the city. 

With limited cheap spaces for activities in Hamilton they also hire venues for many services from Zumba, Ballet, self-defense and dance classes for the disabled bringing the wide regions of the city together.  

Zeta Mohn, the community activator at YWCA, says her role has changed the direction of the facility. While the space is also used to run activities for women from 13-30 years with programs from holiday programs, retreats, and ‘nights out’ , it also has other groups coming in.  

“We are becoming a mobilization space where we are not running things as much, but we are supporting other people to activate the community they hold.” Zeta says with visible pride. 

Mohn added that unlike many hostels, they have long-term tenants which is rare and defines them as an institution. 

There are over twenty different ethnic groups represented at the hostel. Mohn said “I think it is beautiful to have everyone together giving them a chance to exchange ideas, that is what New Zealand is about, we are a meeting point of different people. Having our hostel represent that and be a safe space is heart-warming.” 

Without any supplementary support or funding contracts the hostel is managed by no nonsense women who run the facility. After the hit of Covid-19 plans to expand were put on hold with the surge of prices for building materials.  

“We are not stopping; we understand the need to have affordable housing in the city and are proud to have people stay with us along their adventures.” Mohn said.

Although it is an historic building, they are still looking at possibilities for an extension with unforeseen challenges the dream to being a bigger housing provider still stands.

For more information; YWCA | Hamilton