This month, the Waimakariri District Council is here to connect you with your community! We've got something for everyone, so dive in and see what interests you...
Pink Shirt Day 2024
Led by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, the Pink Shirt Day campaign is about working together to stop bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusiveness.
Our pink shirt canvas toured the District this week to collect messages of kindness. Because, while trends come and go, kindness never goes out of style.
Learn more about Pink Shirt Day
Charity Shops: the First Choice for Conscious Consumers
Abbey Borland, manager of the SPCA Op Shop on High Street in Rangiora has seen a big change in “op shopping” over time.
Abbey has worked in the industry for many years, across a number of different charities. She said when she first started out there was a stigma around buying second hand, but she has noticed that attitude has changed and for a number of reasons.
“I think without a doubt price is a factor. I had one lady come in the other day with a list of things she needed to get from a big mainstream store and thought she would have a quick look here first. She was able to find everything on her list here for a fraction of the price and then that freed up those funds for something else.”
But Abbey says it’s not just a financial decision for people to stop buying brand new.
“People really do care about sustainable options. Fast fashion has turned the retail industry on its head. Clothing at an affordable price point is often poor quality and doesn’t last. People know by buying second hand they are preventing those items from ending up in landfill land getting better quality clothing.”
She says in the case of charity shops like the SPCA stores, shoppers are also helping to support others in need.
“All of the proceeds from sales at our stores minus operation costs all go to the SPCA – shoppers can know that their purchase is going towards a really worthwhile cause.”
The SPCA Op Shop on High Street is also known for its carefully curated window displays.
“Our volunteers all do a brilliant job of putting together outfits from our donations. We are always having people pop in and tell us how good the window looks.”
Abbey says charity shops are completely reliant on the support they get from their volunteers.
“We couldn’t do it without them. It’s also a great opportunity for people to come along and get skills to help them get back into paid employment. That’s my story - I had been an at home mum for a number of years and wanted to get back into the workplace. I started volunteering and that gave me the confidence to get back into paid work.”
There are eight charity second hand shops operating in Rangiora and to help people navigate their way around the town and find them, Property Brokers have put together an Op Shop Map. Which can be found at the front counters of the various stores.
Celebrating Youth Week!
From next Monday 20 May, the Waimakariri District will be celebrating our rangatahi – our young people as part of a nationwide festival of events for Youth Week.
Play board games and munch on pizza at the library, get help with your learner's license, shred at a skate jam, bounce around in inflatables at Dudley Aquatics, or plant trees and help the environment. There's something for everyone!
Find out more
Sports, Hobbies and Recreation Directory
Got a hobby? Want to play a sport? Maybe try something new? There’s a club for that.
Our Waimakariri Sports, Hobbies and Recreation Directory is a complete collection of all the clubs, groups, societies and teams in the District.
From athletics to yoga, garden club to historical society, our directory is designed to help you connect with likeminded community members and take your passions to the next level.
The directory is updated annually to ensure that the information is as up to date as possible so don’t wait!
Meet our Staff
Wendy - Team Leader - Vibrant Communities
Tell us a bit about what you do?
I lead the Vibrant Communities team. The portfolios covered by our team include Social Inclusion, Cultural Inclusion, Welcoming Communities, Capacity Building and Volunteering support. We work with many local groups, organisations, and networks on a range of initiatives, events and projects that contribute to making Waimakariri a great place to live. Examples of these projects are the recent Race Unity Poster competition for schools, Volunteer Expos, an Access awareness workshop, and governance and funding advice for community groups.
How long have you worked at Waimakariri District Council?
I began in 2011 in a Safe Community role, working in Family Violence and Alcohol harm prevention then moved to a Community Development role with a focus on capacity building and volunteering support for the not for local profit sector. Last year I was appointed to the team leader role.
How did you get into your job?
I studied Parks and Recreation at Lincoln University and have worked in Community Recreation programme delivery and centre management in several different regions in New Zealand and overseas. My experience volunteering on club committees and board of trustees has also given me useful experience and knowledge for this role.
What things do you like the most about your job?
The great people that we get to work with, within our team, council and in the community. It is always interesting, and working with others to find solutions and make positive changes is rewarding.
Do you have a cool story you want to share?
The On Track workshop we run each year helps to grow the skills of people who lead clubs and not for profit organisations. It covers many useful topics such as governance, funding, communications etc. A past attendee who had worked very hard to put what they had learnt about strategic planning and best practice received an award last year that recognised that work. While the effort put in was all up to them, it was lovely that they called in to our office to show us and acknowledge that the workshops had helped.
Hub on Wheels to Reach Vulnerable Communities
Waimakariri District Council is pleased to announce the arrival of a Mobile Community Hub. The custom built, multi-use van now makes it easier to send support and resources to communities in need.
The Mobile Community Hub is made possible with Department of Internal Affairs funding and has been collaboratively designed by community partners including Oxford Community Trust, Social Services Waimakariri, P2P Help Trust, Waiora Links Trust, Hope Trust, and NZ Police.
Council Community Team Manager Tessa Sturley said the van will be particularly valuable as communities evolve and respond to the challenges presented in the post-Covid environment. It can also allow on-site crisis response.
“For example, where a particular community might have a number of job losses – coffee and counsellors would be able to appear, along with resources and support around job seeking.”
Tessa said the Mobile Community Hub will allow non-for-profit organisations, social service providers and government agencies to reach people where they are, when they need it.
The van was customised by Cruzar Custom Campervans in Ohoka and is equipped with hot and cold water, sink, fridge and freezer, as well as a BBQ, shower, and awning.
Bench seating with in-built storage allows different groups to load up the van with their own resources, depending on the event or community that they are traveling to.
Rangiora police officer Don Munro, who helped with the van’s design, said it will appeal to remote and immobile communities by bringing a sense of belonging to their doorstep.
“Communities who may be isolated or unable to travel can tap into support, guidance, help and assistance by meeting with community agencies to assist with day-to-day family and personal hurdles.”
Don expects to see it used as a hub for budgeting advice, online safety and security awareness, relationship counselling, job seeking and career advice, as well as elderly and youth education.
Oxford Community Trust Coordinator Jo Ealam said the vision for Waimakariri to have its own outreach vehicle had been around since the Canterbury earthquakes and later after the Covid-19 lockdowns. She said its uses will be widely varied.
“From education purposes of current resources to onsite farm visits for newcomers and migrants to our area, as well as support for an area with unemployment.
“The benefits I hope will be to lessen isolation, remove any barriers to access services, and mobilise into any area quickly in emergency times.”
The Mobile Community Hub can be hired for a small fee through any Council service centre.
What's happening in your community?
Whether it’s volunteering, attending fundraiser events, or meeting like-minded people, Council supports many community groups and initiatives that you can be part of. Check out our website for more information or see some of the events happening below.
Parenting Workshops – Raising the Next Generation with ConfidenceRaising the Next Generation with Confidence is a series of parenting workshops for families across the Waimakariri District. The workshops focus on specific topics to help parents find their confidence in parenting, explore the important issues affecting families across the district and help connect a community of like-minded parents. Tuesday 11 June | 7 – 8.30pm |
Elder Abuse Awareness workshopViolence Free North Canterbury is hosting a professional development training day for those to learn more about elder abuse. Topics include:
Wednesday 12 June | 9am-3pm |
Waimakariri Driver Mentor ProgrammeInterested in volunteering and making a difference in your community? Join Waimakariri’s driver mentor programme that matches up learner drivers with full licensed volunteer mentors to help them learn safe driving practices and the skills needed to pass the Restricted Driver’s Licence test. The programme is in partnership with The Salvation Army Rangiora with all cars, fuel, training and support provided by their team. Mentors need to have a full licence for more than two years, commit to two one-hour driving sessions a week, and be patient and want to give back to their community. Access to cars, fuel, training and support will all be provided. Contact Carolyn.Boswell@wmk.govt.nz for more information and to sign up! |
Quiz Night Fundraiser – 21 JuneGet a group of friends together for the Violence Free North Canterbury Quiz Night. This fundraiser is supporting the Violence Free North Canterbury Network, a group of community agencies working together to see family and sexual violence eradicated across our community. Friday 21 June | 7 - 10pm |
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