New Cahoots Workshop makerspace opens doors in New Zealand, breaks barriers

Cahoots Workshop is the first makerspace of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, unraveling a historical legacy of men-only spaces.

It’s no secret that barriers corresponding with social identity have deterred women, gender diverse people, and BIPOC from the learning opportunities and community found in maker- and hackerspaces. Cahoots Workshop in Wellington (Pōneke), Aotearoa New Zealand opened its doors this weekend with an all-gender-inclusive event – and Cahoots is a makerspace with a purpose.

“The space will exclusively support women and gender diverse folks,” they explain. “Meaning we’re safe to explore, learn from each other, ask basic or unusual questions and empower ourselves.” The workshop aims to be a space where members can learn how to build, hack, fix, create, and find community in the trades that reflects our experiences, “beginning with our queer and trans founder.”

Context is key. Makerspaces in this part of the world began as “Men’s Sheds” in the 1980s, a movement that originated in Australia with the slogan “Shoulder To Shoulder”, derived from “Men don’t talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder.” Now there are over 100 “MENZSHEDS” in New Zealand, makerspaces that ”provide an environment for men for their personal growth and well-being.” Some allow women, though often for limited hours.

As TheScienceKiwi, over on Reddit’s r/newzealand recounts, “The one I go to only allows women for 2hrs a week and you can only use the wood shop because none of the other men want to come open up the other areas… I get the need for a safe space for men but when you have such a fabulous technical resource it’s hugely frustrating as a woman.” When you’re in a group that’s routinely targeted, discounted, sexualized, or excluded, these feel more like spaces to avoid, rather than walk in seeking knowledge – let alone feel like you count as a maker or tradie. And while Aotearoa’s wider makerspace movement has added a few great spaces in recent years, so far there’s only one “WOMENZSHED” in the country, in Auckland (North Island) – and it only hosts wood and cabinetry workshops.

Cahoots offers a range of tools and expertise, including metalwork, electronics, engineering, woodworking, hardware hacking, power tools and tool training, and more. They’re keen to help members learn how to use power tools, talk about inclusivity in the trades, repair advice, help building weird and wild art projects, and offer a wide range of expertise. There are two affordable membership styles: a paid membership of $20 NZD that allows workshop access on one’s own time, or free membership with access on drop-in office hour days. Check out its Induction Agreement for members, which includes excellent sections on safety as well as their gender and culture policies.

Cahoots Workshop situates itself at the start of a new era in the Southern Hemisphere that carves out a space for marginalized groups: those underrepresented in the global DIY, makerspace, and hacker culture movement – not just in New Zealand.

Makerspaces are essential for informal, opt-in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) educational experiences in community spaces – and they increase access to and engagement with STEM. Particularly for people looking for making and learning experiences outside local academic makerspaces, and those who routinely face discrimination – people who are not already in makerspaces.

Cahoots’ space exclusively supports marginalized, queer, and female members. Per their website, it means: “We’re safe to explore, learn from each other, ask basic or unusual questions and empower ourselves.” Empowerment is what happens when people do powerful things that matter to them. By opening doors to a space, events, and avenues to hands-on empowerment that are culturally focused, Cahoots is ready to serve as an agent for change and learning within Wellington’s diverse communities, and beyond.

Cahoots Workshop website: cahoots.nz
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