Building capability with ECE teachers to meet the needs of families

Research shows that a child’s development is rapid in the first 1000 days with 90% of their brain development occurring by the time the child turns 5-years-old. Early childhood centres (ECE) provide pivotal support for children’s wellbeing and life opportunities but the sector faces challenges of professional development and connecting to families that act as […]

Wellbeing initiative gets underway at iTraffic

A group of neighbours from Celadon Place in Wiri lead the way in designing and planning their first Community Play Streets for Tāmaki Makaurau or “Play Streets” event over the weekend. A temporary road closure was put in place from 11.30am to 4pm and the street was open for unrestricted play. A brightly hand painted […]

It takes a village: Meet the Women putting community first

From left to right: Cath Poutney, Maxine and Angela Katipa (Te Mahia Community Village Play Streets organisers) It was a foggy Saturday morning when the Te Mahia Community Village Manager Maxine rose at 4.30am on ANZAC weekend. Normally reserved for relaxing and remembrance, the day ahead would be a whirlwind of planning, activity and most […]

PM calls for national roll-out of Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae initiative

Lionel Hotene, Kaitiaki Matua, giving Prime Minister Ardern a tour of the whenua. Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae hosted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on April 20 to share their kaupapa around addressing food insecurity in South Auckland. The marae are champions in regenerative growing practices within an urban setting. Along with the culturally diverse community, the marae […]

Healthy approach continues to grow

It has been three years since the Healthy Environment Approach (HEA) was implemented into the community grants process for South Auckland community-led events, and the initiative continues to grow. Last year over 300 community grants were approved to South Auckland community-led events that met HEA principles. The HEA initiative has also now expanded into other […]

Wiri community ready to roll out “Play Streets”

A new community-led approach to creating more vibrant people friendly neighbourhoods has been given the green light for the South Auckland community of Wiri.  “Play Streets Wiri” empowers residents to design the way their children experience neighbourhood play on their street. The idea is to create a community-led approach that will put the design of […]

Harvesting a local economy in South Auckland

Nestled between the Manukau and Waitamatā harbour, laden with kaimoana (seafood) of every kind and blessed with fertile volcanic soils, Manukau has always been a place of abundance. Ōtuataua in Māngere was once the largest traditional horticultural site, feeding tens of thousands of people for over 1000 years.   This ability to harvest did not go […]

Papatoetoe Food Hub giving back to the whenua

The Whenua to Whenua project is continuing to grow at the Papatoetoe Food Hub with support from the community, and a little bit of painting expertise from Healthy Families South Auckland. The Whenua to Whenua project is an initiative started by the Food Hub. It is an onsite composting and recycle station that is designed […]

Neighbourhood input sought for ‘Play Streets’ initiative

Playing on the street with fellow neighbours is a pastime that was once a common sight in many South Auckland communities in generations gone by. The street or road, whilst primarily the domain for vehicles, was also used by people as a place to connect with neighbours while playing a game of cricket, touch rugby, […]