Go Eco Food Rescue (Kaivolution) has been stepping it up a notch since we went into Level 4 lockdown. This includes coordinating new driver teams, managing restriction protocols, and meeting the expected increase in demand during a stressful time.

This year marks Community Waikato’s 20th anniversary.

In 2000 Trust Waikato CE and trustees understanding the need for capacity strengthening, set up a trust designed specifically to support and strengthen the social services, health and welfare sector in the Waikato region. This independent, legal entity was known as the Social Service Waikato Trust.

In 2017, Community Waikato provided a conference for the Waikato social service sector called ‘Thriving in the 21st Century.’ At this conference Community Waikato were able to offer a corporate prize by partnering with professional services firm Beca. This prize gave an organisation from our sector the opportunity to win advisory assistance for their project from the Beca Hamilton team.

The Waikato Breast Cancer Research Trust is celebrating a hat-trick of milestones. The Trust marks its 21st birthday with a gala celebration next month, is about to have a name change, and welcomes its inaugural patron.

Whaanau often experience legal problems but do not know where to go for help. Community Law Waikato provide free legal help to whaanau living in the Waikato region.

There is a huge need for literacy assistance in New Zealand, however, many New Zealanders are unaware there is such a need.

In March, Community Waikato launched the inaugural Ethnic Development Programme with the support of the Ethnic Communities Development Fund through the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

Diversity Counselling New Zealand (DCNZ) is a charitable organisation that offers culturally responsive counselling/psychology services for migrants and former refugees since its establishment in 2013.

In March, we attended a ‘Cultural Competence’ Workshop organised by local agency Diversity Counselling and facilitated by eCALD and the Waitemata District Health Board.

One of the biggest barriers for new migrants to successful resettlement is language. English Language Partners work to help people improve their English skills and build their confidence.

The Trusts Act 2019 is in effect from 30 January 2021 and if your charity is a trust then the Act applies to you.

According to the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ, 1 in 7 children take medication for asthma in NZ; 586,000 school days are lost each year due to asthma; on average 77 kiwis die from asthma each year; and the cost of asthma to the nation is over $1 billion per year.

New Zealand’s future prosperity relies on our ability to embrace scientific discoveries and advanced technologies.

Community Transport Providers offer transport to those in need, where no other suitable public transport option exists. This could include transport for health, education or social reasons. They are a lifeline for our rural population, ensuring that people are able to continue living in rural areas, and still access the services they require.

Community Transport Providers offer transport to those in need, where no other suitable public transport option exists. This could include transport for health, education or social reasons. They are a lifeline for our rural population, ensuring that people are able to continue living in rural areas, and still access the services they require.

Community Waikato recognizes that Marae are a key feature of the cultural infrastructure within Maaori society. We see that they act as guardians of maatauranga (knowledge) and taonga (precious heirlooms) and connecting whaanau through whakapapa (family connections). We understand that marae are held as sacred to the living, and a memorial to the departed. They serve as the custodian of traditional knowledge and of the whakapapa that connects its members. More importantly, they are considered the foundation upon which Maaori preserve and strengthen their identity.

What is the difference between a team, a group and just a bunch of people?

Teams are described as having a shared identity; being reliant on one-another; including multiple relationships and having a shared task to achieve. So, if a collection of people does not identify themselves as a unit and others don’t either; if they don’t depend on each other and there is minimal relationship; and if they don’t share a common goal then they’re just a bunch!

The COVID-19 pandemic and the New Zealand government’s subsequent response has significantly increased the volume of information being generated by the media and the various communication channels of government, business, education and community sectors. Social and traditional media have been pumping out information at a rapid rate of knots. Not a single aspect of our lives has been immune to this overabundance of information.

If we have learned anything over the last couple of months, it is the value of our relationships and our connections. Our community and social service sector have worked tirelessly to ensure people can access the support and services they need.

A huge collaborative effort from several Hamilton-based community service providers, volunteers and funders means that Hamilton residents can now access social service support during COVID-19 at their fingertips thanks to a pioneering community response website ‘heretohelpu.nz‘.