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Whiria te Tangata
This whakatauki (proverb), translates to weave the people together. It signifies the importance of community, connection, and unity. It is this sentiment and imagry that has helped formed our purpose at the Hapori Hub. To be a thriving community we need to work together to bring strength and support. When flax is woven together it forms something that is strong and resiliant and it can be used in different forms, for shelter, collecting kai, providing rest, bringing honour and telling our stories.
THE LONG & SHORT OF IT
Hawera A/G Church has a proud legacy in Hawera, recognised for its commitment to actively engaging with the community. For more than 40 years, we have been established on the main street, fuelled by our passion for fostering a thriving community for all residents.
As a local church actively involved in our community, we see first-hand how barriers in transport and lack of visibility of social health providers in South Taranaki have an impact on individuals and their wider whanau, stifling our community's potential to flourish.
In response to these needs, our church has joined forces with local social care organisations to create a Hapori Hub in the CBD. This inviting space will offer office leases to local service providers, along with professional meeting and workshop facilities. We aim to establish a central hub where residents can easily find the information and support they need, effectively addressing the challenges identified in research and our own observations. Together, let’s build a stronger, more connected community!
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The Why
I absolutely love this town! I was born here, grew up here, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Community really matters to me. When I first moved out of home and went into the big city, getting involved in my local community helped me find a second family, along with new opportunities and experiences I could never have discovered on my own.
Over the years, I've had the wonderful chance to work with and lead in a variety of community organisations, from local grassroots groups to national leadership teams. I know that social care providers are often asked to do more with less, but we manage to come together and exceed expectations time and time again. One of the best things about being part of a community is how we can collaborate, bringing together different thoughts, ideas, and people to create caring solutions. This same strength can also applies to community providers; when we join forces, we become even stronger and can make a bigger impact!