Our Journey Over 3 Centuries

LIFEWISE is the community and social services division of Methodist Mission Northern, an organisation which has a rich history that spans more than 150 years.

Our history charts a journey over three centuries of mission work and Methodism that is intrinsically linked with the history of Auckland City.

To this day we remain in the same location – right at the heart of the city, just across from Auckland’s Town Hall.

Since the mid 1850s the organisation has evolved from its pioneering days as the Helping Hand Mission. It was during the Depression of the 1930’s that the idea of a ‘City Mission’ first emerged and the Mission became known as Auckland Central Mission, with a focus on revitalisation and growth. In 1997 the Mission became Methodist Mission Northern to reflect its regional responsibilities.

Throughout its evolution, serving the community in a practical and heartfelt way has always remained at the forefront of the Mission’s desires.

There can be no doubt that throughout its journey from the 19th Century to the 21st Century, the Mission has been helped along the way by those who share its hopes and aspirations – including William and Marianne Smith, the founders of Smith and Caughey Ltd.

Today LIFEWISE continues to work with organisations with which we share a common vision. Today, the Auckland Night Shelter, originally set up by this Mission, works as a partnership of several agencies.The origins of such organisations as Lifeline, Home and Family Society and TOA Pacific lie in our links within the community. Partnerships with Methodist Parishes are also important in engaging with communities.

It has been said that Methodists are renowned for “rolling up their sleeves and getting on with the hard tasks”. It is also true that the continued support of others has played a significant role in helping us to get on and do just that.

These partnerships have led to significant achievements for the Mission, particularly in nurturing and sustaining The LIFEWISE Centre (formerly called the Airedale Community Centre) – the place where some of the most difficult day-to-day tasks are undertaken and where each year around 42,000 meals are provided to those most in need.