Christchurch Cadet Trust, Wigram
Youth Training and Community Support base
Welcome to the Christchurch Cadet Trust Training Base and Community Centre
The New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) aims to improve the mental and physical wellbeing, academic achievement and specialised skill set of young New Zealanders. The Cadet Programme provides youth aged 13 to 20 with nationally accessible, volunteer-based, military-style training, leadership, and development. 87% of students who start the programme engage for at least 12 months, improving their self-discipline, leadership and teamwork skills, self-confidence, and resilience.
Students build great friendships and camaraderie enjoying stimulating and competitive activities. The programme is structured to support young people to grow into competent adults through adventure-based training and service specific content.
Help us paint our building
Our historic building is in urgent need for a refurbishment and with your support we can make this happen!
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
However, in order to keep these programs accessible to all, we need your help. Your donation will directly fund:
Training workshops that provide skills, knowledge, and personal growth opportunities.
Community events that foster connection, empowerment, and support networks.
Resources for underserved groups who would otherwise not have access to these opportunities.
Together, we can create a stronger, more empowered community. Thank you for considering supporting our efforts. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
We believe in the power of community and the transformative potential of community. That’s why we’re reaching out today with an opportunity for you to make a lasting impact.
Every donation—no matter how small—helps make our projects possible. With your generous support, we can continue to provide life-changing experiences for our community members. You can donate, sponsor or support by clicking on the links below or simply share our mission with others who might be inspired to contribute.
Our Historic Wigram
Building
43 Corsair Drive
WIGRAM, CHRISTCHURCH
The building was constructed in the late 1940’s early 1950’s. It is constructed of brick and Hardy type board, with a corrugated iron roof.
Most of the original wooded framed windows have been replaced with aluminium windows, there are still a number of steel framed windows
The building consists of lecture rooms, Unit offices, stores, kitchen, lounge, and toilet and shower block.
It is used each evening of the week and some weekends for Unit parades camps and training activities. The building has a long history of training as it was the NATTS HQ building where Pilots, Navigators and Air Electronics Operators were trained.
Hagley Community College use the building throughout the week for their ESOL courses.
CHRISTCHURCH CADET TRUST At the time of closure of the RNZAF Base at Wigram there were four Cadet Force Units, comprising some 250 cadets operating in premises on Wigram. Interested parties from all four units formed the Cadet Trust to find suitable accommodation. After the sale of Wigram to Ngai Tahu, the Christchurch Cadet Trust entered into an agreement with Ngai Tahu to purchase the building from and entered an agreement with the Christchurch City Council for them to take the land as part of the developer’s reserve contribution for Wigram’s redevelopment.
The Christchurch Cadet Trust administers overall running of the building and is responsible for fundraising on behalf of all four units to meet the initial purchase of the premises and the ongoing costs. The Air Training Corps (ATC) and the Army Cadet Units have a longstanding relationship with the local community, the former being ATC established at Wigram in 1941 as a source of recruits for the Armed Forces during World War Two. Since then the organisation has evolved from being primarily Government funded to being community funded. The ATC and Army Cadet Corps are a disciplined uniformed youth training organisation for young men and women from all walks of life aged between 13 and 20 with a current membership in excess of 350. The aims of the ATC and Cadet Corps are to provide strong leadership programmes as well as life skills and as a result become valuable members of the community.
SERVICES WE OFFER FOR TRAINING AND OUR COMMUNITY
Our local Canterbury and Wigram community are supported by the facilities we offer for youth training and all types of local community education programmes
It is through our range of tarining and education programmes that we help build a stronger and more equiped community - from youth all the way through to seniors
Cadets are highly engaged in their communities. Well over one third (40%) engaged at least once a month in volunteering activities
(e.g. village clean-up, fundraising events, supporting local sport events).
Our historic site offers a safe, secure and multi-purpose facility that caters to our cadets and also a wide range of community and social services programmes - we are a real part of our local community
Our programmes have a major impact on the lives of our young people by:
- Improving mental health
- Improving physical health
- Increasing specialised skills
- Increasing academic achievement
- Reducing addiction
- Reducing offending
- Reducing risk behavior
Contact Rose-Marie at rosemarie.fundraisingsolutions@gmail.com
- If you would like to donate to this important project - we need $100,000 to save the building
- Are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor
- Want to support us by fundraising for the project
- Simply want to have a chat over a cuppa about how you can help"