Over the past few months people, groups and organisations have been putting their collective thoughts into how we can support our community in the face of rising fuel prices and cost of living challenges.
We recognise that strong resilient communities are built upon manaakitanga (taking care and responsibility for each other), kaitiakitanga (taking responsibility for our environment and resources) and kotahitanga (working together and collaborating).
This is our second community update about what’s happening to address needs arising in our community as a result of the fuel and affordability crisis. We know that as winter sets in, costs rise even more for people in our community.
Raglan Naturally Community Trust – Community Wellbeing Connector
Our big news for this update is that Raglan Naturally Community Trust have been able to reinstate well-known local Lara Sweetman in the Community Wellbeing Connector role.
The primary role of the Community Wellbeing Connector is to connect our community to available supports. As part of this, Lara has been in discussion with key services and community groups to assess their priority needs. These have included Raglan Community House, the Takarangi Team at Raglan Medical, Tūmanako Whaingaroa and Te Toi Ora ki Whaingaroa. With a vast network of long-standing relationships which span the community, Lara holds a wealth of knowledge and connections.
You can contact Lara on 0800 776 741 or lara.sweetman@raglannaturally.co.nz
A special thanks to Purelink for their generous sponsorship of our 800 support line.
Raglan Refill – Strengthening Local Food Resilience
Raglan Refill is our very own community-led, non-profit, zero-waste grocery shop. A key player in supporting and building our local food resilience, Raglan Refill has a focus on strengthening access for our community to affordable essentials.
The fuel and affordability crisis is being treated with urgency by Raglan Refill who have been proactive in looking at practical ways they are able to support the community.
For store manager, Eloise Deller, “this is not just about responding to a short-term crisis – it’s an opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient local model and play a positive role in helping our community through tough times”.
Although shopping at a refill store is new for some people, Eloise says, “Once people start buying with us, they can’t believe how cheap it is”
Supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, there is always a warm welcome and someone to give advice and help you to fill your jars.
Determined to make refilling a normal part of life in our community, Eloise is always on the hunt for more bulk-buy suppliers. Just recently she has been able to add that all-time household favourite ‘weetbix’ to the Raglan Refill range.
Raglan Refill has become a valued community asset. By strengthening access to affordable essentials and reducing our reliance on fragile supply chains, Raglan Refill are not only responding to short-term need, they are helping our community to become more prepared, self-reliant and resilient.
If you haven’t been to Raglan Refill, call in and see what they have to offer. You will be sure to get a warm Raglan Refill welcome
Community Energy Whāingaroa
Winter is well and truly upon us. There are many things we can do to minimise our home energy needs. Julia, our community home energy mentor, provides free advice to help save energy and keep your home warm. She runs a weekly drop in clinics 12-3pm Mondays, at the Raglan Community House. The team provide free Home Energy Checks, and eligible homes are given energy‑saving resources. Marae health clinics can also connect you with home energy support.
For more information:
Visit our website https://cewh.nz
Contact Tania: tania@cewh.org.nz 0220212290
Hua Whāingaroa: Connecting Local Producers with Local People
We’re setting up our new click-and-collect online market, specialising in fresh local produce. You’ll be able to order from our local suppliers and pick up your goods on Thursdays from the Tiny Shop next to Raglan Refill on Bow St, 5–7pm.
Our first market opens for orders, from Saturday 18 July to midnight Tuesday 21 July.
Orders will open each Saturday and close at midnight on Tuesday.
https://openfoodnetwork.org.nz/hua-whaingaroa-shop/shop#/about_panel
Are you a local producer and would like to join our online market? Have questions?
We would love to hear from you.
Email us at hua.whaingaroa.org.nz
Hua Whāingaroa is proudly supported by Whāingaroa Environment Centre and Xtreme Zero Waste.
Introducing new Board member Elloise Deller
Raglan Naturally Community Trust are fortunate to have Eloise Deller join our Board as the Raglan Community Board representative. Well-known in our community, Elloise is a community-focused project & operations manager, with experience in business management and community-led projects. She manages day-to-day operations at Raglan Refill. Passionate about practical local solutions, Eloise is committed to supporting projects that strengthen connection, resilience, and participation across the Raglan community.
Raglan Naturally Community Trust launches new branding and website
New branding and a revamped website mark the start of a new chapter for Raglan Naturally Community Trust.
Raglan Naturally Community Trust was established in 2021, after community calls for a stand-alone entity to ensure the Raglan Naturally Community Plan was held and kept relevant.
Raglan Naturally Community Trust brings people, opportunities and resources together, helping to transform ideas into collective action which has lasting impacts across our community.
The Trust is underpinned by its core values drawn from the Raglan Naturally Community Plan – Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga, Kaitiakitanga. It is these values which underpin what a resilient and flourishing Whāingaroa looks like, and how Raglan Naturally Community Trust partners with the community to achieve this.
The new branding and website revamp comes at an opportune time for the Trust. With Department of Internal Affairs community-led development funding coming to an end, Raglan Naturally Community Trust are looking to the future.
Not only does the website showcase the story of the Raglan Naturally Community Trust and all that has been achieved in partnership with the community over the years, it provides a fresh platform from which to explore new opportunities and possibilities.
For Board co-chairs Taruke Thomson and Hans Buwalda, the new website and branding is an expression of both who Raglan Naturally Community Trust has been, and who we want to be moving into the future.
A big thank you to Thomas and Fabian from WebPaste for bringing the vision of Raglan Naturally Community Trust to life.
Make a cuppa and explore what Raglan Naturally Community Trust is all about.
raglanraturally.co.nz
