Taieri Blokes Shed

Men don't talk face to face they talk shoulder to shoulder. - Barry Golding

The Taieri Blokes' Shed officially opened on 12th July 2008 at a ceremony at the Taieri Aerodrome in Mosgiel, presided over by Commodore Bruce Pepperell of the New Zealand Navy. 

'The Shed', as its members call it, is primarily a place for fellowship - where men can feel comfortable enough to open up and talk about things - and its primary aim is to promote the health and wellbeing of its members. This is achieved through creative endeavours, shared problem-solving, and constructive work for the benefit of their local community. 

Taieri Blokes' Shed is one of more than 120 members of MENZSHED New Zealand (there are many other sheds around the country who are not members of MENZSHED, but who perform a similar role in their communities). 

The Taieri Shed operates from premises in the grounds of the Taieri Aerodrome in Mosgiel, and is open for members on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 9am to 12.30pm. 

As well as working on projects for the community - including constructing boardwalks for the Ecosanctuary, Lilliput Libraries, planters and benches to beautify Mosgiel streets, wooden sports equipment for local schools, and small-scale handyman type jobs for members of the community - the Taieri Shed organises speakers on health and other matters for its members, and occasional day trips out to areas of interest. The Shed aims to keep its members male to give them space to speak freely, and its members prize their morning tea-time, when they can talk and share news of other members and their own personal issues.

Age is no barrier, and membership of the Taieri Shed is $10 per annum, and this fee has remained static since the launch of the Shed in 2008.

In an interview with long-term member, Ian Miller, which can be found in this archive, some of the many benefits of the Shed concept are examined.

Reference: The Taieri Blokes Shed: An Ethnography, Masters dissertation by James Christian Sunderland, Otago Polytechnic School of Occupational Therapy, 2014