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A familiar sight at many local events, one of the Hibiscus Coast’s largest youth organisations is facing an uncertain future, with local cadet units needing to find a new home within months or risk disrupting programmes for more than 160 young people.
No. 5 (Rodney District) Squadron Air Training Corps and Hibiscus Coast and Bays Sea Cadets have been told they must leave their current base at the North Shore Aero Club by late September 2026, with no suitable alternative secured.
Presenting to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board last week, sea cadets community relations advisor Terry Creagh told members the two units combined supported around 160 cadets, with demand continuing to grow across the Coast and wider Rodney area.
He says the loss of their current facility presents an immediate risk to the continuity of training and development programmes that have been a longstanding part of the local community.
The proposal he presented to the board outlined the need for a permanent, fit-for-purpose facility that can support both units under one roof.
Creaghs says finding a suitable space has proven difficult, with previous options falling short due to size, access or long-term viability. However, without a new base, he warns that programmes could be scaled back, growth limited and volunteer capacity stretched.
The cadet units provide structured training for young people aged 13 to 18, focusing on leadership, discipline and community service.
Independent analysis conducted by the units has also highlighted their wider impact, Creagh says, with research showing every $1 invested in cadet programmes delivers about $2.10 in measurable social value.
Locally, that translates into improved wellbeing, stronger engagement in education and reduced risk of negative outcomes such as long-term unemployment, the report says and, with population growth in the Hibiscus and Bays area continuing to outpace the Auckland average, demand for youth programmes like cadets is expected to rise further.
The joint proposal sets out a preferred solution of a shared facility, allowing both units to operate independently while sharing training spaces, equipment and resources.
Creagh says this model would reduce duplication, improve efficiency and better align with council priorities for multi-use community infrastructure.
They are seeking a site that can accommodate training rooms, storage, outdoor parade space and future growth, with an estimated building size of 800 to 1300 square metres.
In the short term, interim options such as school or community facilities could be used, but Creagh says these are not a long-term solution.
