Massive Hikoi

WALK TO SUPPORT "MASSIVE" MONDAY 1 JUNE 2015

Too often we hear via the media about another sexual attack, or some case that is going through the courts.  Unfortunately that is only the tip of the iceberg.  Most events of sexual violence are not reported.

It's a sad fact that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 8 boys will be 'exposed' to sexual violence before they turn 16.  For these children there innocence in childhood is shattered and the emotional and physical impact will go on for many years, if not for their whole lives.

There are lots of services available to help the victims of sexual violence, but is that enough.  We need to stop the violence before it happens.  We need to make it so unacceptable in all forms, at whatever age.

The hikoi that will be coming through Kaiwaka aims to raise awareness as it is much easier to prevent sexual violence than it is to recover from it.

Tomorrow at 12:00 the hikoi is due to reach Kaiwaka.  If you want to walk to support this initiative and say no to sexual violence then meet at the corner of Settlement Road and State Highway 1 at 12:00.

The hikoi will then walk through Kaiwaka before it heads out of our town.  If you can't walk all the way through town then join where you can or meet the hikoi as it goes over the bridge and on into Northland.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Being Neighbourly

One of the things I disliked about living in Auckland was that often people weren't interested, or simply didn't care, about who their neighbours were.  Even though we are in a small community there are still people who might not know their neighbours.

Three of the most important reasons why it's good to know your neighbours are:

• creating a safer community
• helping each other out 
• and the real bonus of knowing your neighbours is that you may make a new friend!

Breaking down the barriers is part of the reason behind the new community social space that we are creating at Kate's Place.

Whilst sometimes technology can hinder neighbourly relations, it can also be useful way of finding out what is going on.

On Facebook there are many groups for all kinds of interests.  Of particular use for those of us interested in knowing our Kaiwaka neighbours are:

• Kaiwaka Community - ask and answer questions, buy and sell, find out what's going on
• Kaiwaka Community Cinema - catch a movie and meet other locals
• Kaiwaka Sports Association - meet like minded people and enjoy sports at the same time
• Kaiwaka Library - expanding your mind whilst meeting your neighbours
• Kaiwaka Cares - where you can find out what's happening at the community space

Another group that also supports people being able to easily communicate with neighbours is the site Neighbourly.  This is a New Zealand website setup to try and bridge the divide and get neighbours meeting and communicating with neighbours.  

Some of you may have received a letter from Neighbourly recently.  That was because of me, Janine Boult.  No it's not a scam or trying to sell you anything it's just another way of keeping in touch if you want to join.

If you know of any other sites we should highlight or add to this list then please l

I Love Living in a Small Town

Today is one of those Fridays.  You know the type when your 3 year old climbing into bed and peeling your eyelids open.

After two days in Auckland I have arrived home with a cold, and I feel miserable.  It seems every time I go to Auckland now I get a cold.  My mother suggested that maybe I am allergic to the city.  Not sure about that I do know though that I am definitely allergic to the traffic!!!

So here I was at home after a few errands and went to make a nice cuppa.  No Milk!  So off down to Jaques to get the necessities, as my daughter informed me yesterday Jaques is where all good food comes from.

Get home after my short journey to find fresh cut flowers perched in the cats water bowl.  The cats didn't look amused.  Well tough to them - I loved it.

There is something about an unexpected gift that brightens your day and makes you feel appreciated and cared for.  I have no idea who they are from, although have my suspicions.  I just know they are a small kind deed that most likely wasn't hard to do and yet means so much to me.

It's one of the many reasons I love living in our small town.  It's the way that people look out for one another and actually care.

We may not have some of the conveniences of a larger settlement.  Who needs that though when we have a community who watches out for one another and actually care about the people around them.

Today is just one of the lovely ways that the people of Kaiwaka constantly delight me.  Thanks for letting us live here and I hope that in some way I am able to give back and make someone else's day brighter too.

Coming Soon ..... Community Social Space

Yes you read right ... a Community Social Space is coming to Kaiwaka.

Opening date is 1 July 2015!!!

The Kaiwaka Can team have been working behind the scenes and the next addition to Kaiwaka is a space for use by everyone.

Based in the front room at Kate's Place the space is being transformed into a community space.

The room will be staffed by a volunteer each day Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.

There are many ways you can use this room. Anyone can pop in for a cuppa and a chat, do a puzzle, read a book, play a game of chess, feed the baby, put your feet up, keep warm and dry whilst doing homework or take a moment out of your day to connect with others in the community.

As it will be a community space we will be reliant on koha for the use of the room.  We are working on the premise that a coin donation when you pop in or dropping off something like excess fruit/veges from home that we can pass on to someone else in the community.

To help pay for power etc we are looking to organise some raffles, will keep you updated as this progresses.

So here's how you can help.  To get the room up and running we are looking for donations for a few things:

• something comfortable for people to sit on, ie sofas, lounge chairs, bean bags etc
• equipment for making tea/coffee etc
• coffee tables
• books, puzzles, toys - things to occupy people
• storage containers to keep things organised
• book shelves

This is a great opportunity to have a clearout for a good cause.  If you have something laying around that you don't want or need anymore then let us know - caring4kaiwaka@gmail.com or phone Janine on #0276636802

If we get more than we need donated we will pass these on to Maria Pakea and her team or the St John's Op Shop.

Also if you are interested in joining the roster to volunteer to staff the room let me know asap.

Do you want free wifi in town?

Spark currently operates a payphone in outside the telephone exchange (next to the library and church). Wouldn't it be nice if they upgraded this to a free wifi hotspot.

Locals, and visitors, would be able to get up to 1GB free data usage each a day.  This is what Spark says about who is eligible for free wifi.

Spark WiFi is free for Spark mobile customers on:

• Any pay-monthly plan (including Smart One Bill)

• The $19 or $29 prepaid packs

• Mobile Broadband Postpaid

• Spark Digital mobile plans

If you don't fall into one of these groups you can try the service on a week's free trial. After that, you can purchase a WiFi pack for $9.95. The WiFi pack will give you access to 1GB of usage each day for 30 days on Spark WiFi hotspots across the country.
You will need a New Zealand or Australian mobile phone number when registering. If you do not have a valid number, you can purchase a Spark SIM card for $5 from any Spark Retail Store

Some of our neighbouring communities, Maungaturoto and Mangawhai, have access to this at hotspots where their payphones are.  Wouldn't it be great if we could get this too!

It would be really handy to have free wifi available to pay bills, look things up online, or even just to stay connected to our friends and family.

I have asked that they consider a hotspot for our town.  It may help to get more people to request it, then they will know we want it.

Do you think this is something that Kaiwaka needs?

We are not a ghost town!

In case you didn't see it tonight TV3 had an article on 3 News about poverty outside of Auckland.  \

If you haven't seen it then it's available to view online Rural neglect will lead to ghost towns.

Now here's my response to TV3 News which I have posted on their facebook page.

***************************************************************************

Dear TV3 News

What seemed like it could have been a great opportunity to showcase small town New Zealand and how we support and care for each other was completely wasted tonight.

As a resident of Kaiwaka I would just like to refute your assumption that our small town is a ghost town.  Your article on the news tonight had many shots of empty shops.  To a viewer who is not familiar with our town they could be mistaken in thinking that was here in Kaiwaka.  In case your reporter didn't notice when they were here, there are no empty shops in Kaiwaka.

The term ghost town suggests that a community is shrinking and going backwards.  Well that is definitely not a way to describe Kaiwaka.  We are growing and we are doing well.  Yes some of our community are struggling, but isn't that true throughout New Zealand including in the bigger towns and even in the cities.

In fact in Kaiwaka our businesses are growing and changing as our community grows.  We are doing everything we can to support and care for those in our community, which is part of what makes Kaiwaka so special.  Maria Paikea and her team, who you showcased providing help via the food bank, are only some of the very caring people we have here.

Life is not easy for alot of people.  Yes there is unemployment here.  Yes there is poverty here.  Hasn't that been something your own Campbell Live have been showcasing is happening in Auckland too.  But in Auckland do they care for each other as well as we care for our people.

Next time you want to make political grandstanding points perhaps you should take your cameras elsewhere and show some respect for communities like ours who are doing everything we can to care for our people.

Kaiwaka is a community that cares, please respect that about us.

Winter is coming ....

No this is not a plug for the series Game of Thrones.

It's the hard truth that we have to admit to ourselves that summer has gone.  The nights are getting longer and the days shorter.  And brrrrr it is a little chilly some nights and mornings.

If insulation in your house is in short supply then you might want to investigate the Warm Up New Zealand initiative.  Especially as there is only one more year of funding available!

Energy Wise (EECA) is a government organisation which is subsidising insulation for those homes in New Zealand that are lacking it.  The target homes for funding are:

• homes built before 2000
• someone living in the house is over 65 or under 17
• someone in the household suffers a serious illness, particularly illnesses which are affected by damp and cold like asthma and arthritis
• additionally funding is available for people with a Community Services Card

The great thing is that if your home qualifies for funding then if you are the homeowner you can get up to 100% subsidy.  If you are renting then your landlord may only have to pay $500 of the $3000 cost of installing insulation in the ceiling and under the floors.

There are two providers in the Northland area they are:

• Healthy Homes Tai Tokerau
• Smart Energy Solutions

Why am I telling you all this?  Well I am currently living in a home with no insulation and some morning it is much warmer outside than it is inside.  Having already having had a bad bout of bronchitis this year my landlord and I are working to get my house warm and toasty for winter.

So if your home needs insulation apply now, there is so much to be gained by just making the call.

The Community Garden Reborn

 

The team hard at work weeding.

This morning a few locals got together to tidy up the community garden.  I think I can safely say I was the only real garden novice.  My job was to pull the weeds once someone had assured me what were weeds and which were actual plants.  Apparently this is an important distinction.

The garden beds are almost ready for planting.

The compost bins had been left for some time so they needed a good turning.  We had some lovely compost at the bottom of two which we added to the garden to give it some extra nutrients to get our plants growing.  There is now a bin waiting for some garden waste to go into it to grow us some more yummy mulch for our garden.

Most of the team spent the time weeding the beds.  Some of the original plants have survived.  Some like the fennel have thrived by being left alone.  Once everything was tidied up and some of the lovely mulch had been added it was time to plant.  A big thanks to Helen and Kristen for donating some seeds for the garden.

There were already silver beet, fennel and lettuces in the garden.  We now have planted carrots, peas, broad beans, garlic, coriander, lupin, oats, and a few other bits and pieces.

Gardening is a great skill especially for the younger generation.  To start some of the youngest in our community on the gardening path we have reserved an area for Small Pukeko's our local early childhood centre.  Being right next to the community garden it will be lovely to see what the children grow.

The finished beds all planted - yummy food growing!

In the future we are hoping to add a worm farm and try to grow some items in the grow tunnel.  Next working bee in the garden is on Wednesday 20th May 2015 at 9am.

So do you garden at home or work?

Not sure when to plant, I found the Garden Grow website helpful.  It shows which plants are good to be planting each month and has useful information on caring for different crops.

Spotlight on .... Kaiwaka Library

Read, Set, Read!

We are very lucky in Kaiwaka in that we have our own library full of books for us to enjoy at our leisure.  If you haven't taken the journey inside before then I suggest you make a date with the library soon.

Our library is run by a team of volunteers headed up by Wendy Howard.  The team open the library each week on Mondays 4pm-6pm and Wednesdays to Saturdays 10am-2pm.

Library's are not just about reading.  They are a place to explore, interact and imagine. As residents we are all able to join our library and borrow the books, DVDs, blue-ray disks, audio books, puzzles and large print books within it's walls.  More books are being brought out to the shelves regularly so there is always something to catch your eye.

If you can't find the book on the shelves the librarians will be able to look to see if it's within the library system and may be able to get it in for you.

Another option as a library member is if you like e-books you can 'borrow' virtually via the Northern E-Library.  Once the software is on your computer, tablet or phone all you will need is your library card and your pin number and you can download ebooks and audio books to read or listen to at your leisure.  Don't worry about getting the books back on time as when there borrowing time is up they will 'return' themselves to the library by removing themselves from your reading list.

I have already downloaded a couple of children's audio books for the next time I take Miss 3 to the city.  I am hoping she will like listening to Margaret Mahy's books as much as I will.

It is important we encourage young children to enjoy books.  Studies have shown the more children enjoy books in the preschool years the more they will want access to them when they are older.  Which helps them achieve better at school.

Reading for a young child often means being held close and having special time with an adult or older child.  It doesn’t take long for them to realise that reading means closeness and pleasure. Your child learns from an early age how important reading and learning is. As they hear you read a story to them they are not only learning about words they are learning how to say words and from the pictures learn about their meaning.

So next time you see the library open sign step through the doors and open the door to your imagination.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go."   Dr Seuss

Feeding the community ...

There is nothing more satisfying that eating something that you have grown yourself.  Unfortunately for those of us who have grown up in cities we may not have had the opportunity, or the knowledge, on how to grow our own fruit and vegetables.

Many people would like to grow some of their own vegetables and herbs, but just don't have the ability to do it by themselves. Community gardens beautify neighbourhoods and help bring neighbours closer together. They have been proven as tools to reduce neighbourhood crime--particularly when vacant, blighted lots are targeted for garden development.  

Those who are lucky enough to have sunny backyards can plant a garden whenever they have the time and energy. But what about those who do not have a place to garden? For these people, community gardens may be the answer.

We are lucky in Kaiwaka in that a few years ago Northtec ran a course and set up a community garden for the people of Kaiwaka.   Due to people moving on the community garden has been left to founder.

Studies have shown that community gardeners and their children eat healthier diets than do non-gardening families.  Eating locally produced food reduces asthma rates, because children are able to consume manageable amounts of local pollen and develop immunities.  Exposure to green space reduces stress and increases a sense of wellness and belonging.Our community garden is in the process of being awakened.  

This Saturday 9 May at 10.30am a group of like-minded people will be meeting at the garden, located behind the Kaiwaka Hall. 

If you are interested in learning more, or becoming involved please do get in contact or just show up on the day.

We will keep you updated on our progress.

Kaiwaka by the numbers ....

2013 Census Information

- figures are courtesy of Statistics New Zealand
- statistics refer to Kaiwaka as relating to the town, the greater Kaiwaka population are included by Statistics New Zealand as being part of other locations.


579 people are located within Kaiwaka, evenly split between Males and Females.  The population has increased 7.8% on the census figures of 2006.

The median age of our population is 36.8 years.  22.8% of the population are under 15 years, 42 are under 5, with 90 between 5-15 years.  12.4% of our population are aged over 65 years.  A quarter of our people (25.4%) live alone.

If it takes a village to raise a child then our youngest residents should be central to our community.  Almost 20% of families in Kaiwaka are heading by one parent, with almost 38% of families are made up of couples with children.

Ethnicity within the Kaiwaka township is mainly European (72.9%) and Maori (34.6%).  13.9% of our population were born overseas and have made their way to our township to live.

Almost half of our population (46.4%) over 15 earn less than $20,000 per year.  This is mainly due to the high number of people (40.1%) within those over 15 in our community who receive most of their income from government sources. 20.3% of our working community are self employed.  

What is encouraging is that of the over 15 population 54.7% do some type of volunteer work or assisting with care of someone not of their own household each week.  Across Northland the percentage of volunteering work is 41.5%.  

So statistically Kaiwaka is a very caring community.

Who are we ....

Late last year a group was formed called Kaiwaka Can.  There are four main mission statements for the group.

The four mission statement areas were selected by attendees at the first meetings with a view to what was seen as what was most important for the community.

1.      Managing Kaiwaka Well – ie things that should be and are not being done, including items of  Council responsibility

2.     Growing Kaiwaka Well – ie business growth, lights, structure, accommodation, stimulating  business growth

3.     Enjoying Kaiwaka Well – ie including recreational activities, sports association, hall committee,  films, library etc

4.     Caring for People Well – ie social services and community needs

Whilst alot of these areas are currently being looked after well by the community there is a desire to enhance and support, and potentially expand on current projects.

This reason for this blog is to support these endeavours and provide an avenue for communication to the wider community.