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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 cherish this town! Born and raised here, it holds my heart, and I can't envision life anywhere else. Community is everything to me. Through community we find whanau, we learn from each other, we gain access to opportunities that we couldn't achieve on our own, and we are enriched as a community through these connections.
Throughout the years, I've been fortunate to work with various community organisations, from grassroots initiatives to national leadership teams. While as social care providers we face the challenge of doing more with less, we consistently rise to the occasion and surpass expectations. The true beauty of community lies in our collaboration, where diverse ideas and people come together to create meaningful solutions. Together, we wield the power to make a profound impact!