For more than 40 years, WEST – West Auckland Enterprise Skills and Training has helped locals build skills, confidence, and financial independence. Each year, around 880 West Aucklanders take part in WEST’s free or low-cost courses, with most programmes fully booked and often running waiting lists.
‘Our focus is economic wellbeing,’ says Manager Lee Hickey. ‘That can mean learning how to save money, grow your income, or gain skills that lead to employment. If it helps people get ahead, it fits what we do.’ WEST offers a wide range of practical courses designed to support everyday life.
One of the most popular is the six-week Introduction to Rongoā (herbal medicine) programme, where participants learn how to make wairākau (tea), infused oils, and pani (balms), and understand the healing properties of native plants. The Slow Cooking on a Budget course is another favourite. Participants prepare healthy, affordable meals using the ‘cook once, eat three times’ approach, freezing leftovers for later. While the class once attracted mostly families, older people are now joining, keen to stretch their food budget.
WEST also specialises in financial literacy. Its upcoming 101 Ways to Earn and Save workshop shows people how small changes to everyday spending can add up to thousands of dollars a year, money that can go toward a home deposit, retirement, travel, or an emergency fund. Another standout initiative is WEST Dressed, a low-cost, plus-size, pre-loved clothing shop that offers affordable fashion while promoting reuse and sustainability.
The shop is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays during school holidays, and donations of plus-size clothing are always welcome. As a not-for-profit organisation, WEST relies on the support of funders and donors.
A $20,000 grant from the 2025 Your West Support Fund has helped cover resources and operational costs. ‘The support from The Trusts has been crucial,’ says Lee. ‘It allows more people to access our courses and improve their financial wellbeing.’
WEST is located at 9 Henderson Valley Road. Visit their website to view upcoming courses and register online.
