Connecting not-for-profit organisations has led to the creation of what is believed to be New Zealand's largest shared workspace.

Many community groups struggle to pay for rent and state-of-the-art facilities are simply not an option, but that is about to change with the opening of The Kollective, a shared working space specifically targeting not-for-profits.

The $11 million project is the brainchild of Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust (TECT).

It will open in October allowing community groups to share infrastructure with each other as well as their own experience.

The facility has space for 136 shared desks and will host between 30 and 40 organisations including TECT itself, along with two other funding agencies, putting the recipients of funding grants and grant issuers in the same building.

"We'll have them all here under one roof," says TECT chainman Bill Holland.

"It will be the largest co-working space in New Zealand and the only one dedicated to community service organisations, so there are a number of firsts we are going for with this building."

The facility is designed to help community organisations save money on infrastructure and rents, something TECT funds for many groups across Tauranga.

It is hoped working together will not only save money for the groups, but create interaction to allow them to learn from each other.

TECT's income and capital is used to provide benefits to non-profit organisations and Trustpower customers in Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty.

The sprawling, two-storey building has been built on land purchased from Tauranga City Council at the Historic Village in Gate Pā and will be managed by Socialink, a community group network provider.

It features noise-cancelling infrastructure, a stage for night-time performances, conference facilities and quirky co-working spaces.

How the completed business hub is expected to look. Photo: Supplied

Manager Gordy Lockhart says The Kollective business model will go a long way toward helping community groups flourish.

A recent survey undertaken by Socialink discovered Western Bay of Plenty had more than 225 social service groups delivering more than 740 services.

Most of these organisations are small to medium size and lack marketing and communications capability.

"If the community groups can all learn from each other, then that's better for everyone," Lockhart said.

The Kollective is set to open in October 2018.​

-Stuff/Matt Shand