Here's our story

Community strengthening - Otangarei

One site area is adjacent to a gully area that has historically
been a dumping ground for rubbish. 
The programme co-ordinator negotiated with the Whangarei
District Council and New Zealand Employment Service.

These discussions established a Task Force Green 'gully clean-up' 
programme using local unemployed residents the area is now used for
families to enjoy and spend time in the small local water holes
with-out the threat of large rubbish and other items being
dumped and becoming dangerous. 

Other activities that have been undertaken during the project
time include the delivery of a regular newsletter, a driver licensing 
programme at the local Marae, and encouraging young people
in the area to paint murals on local business walls.
The programme continues to work closely with the local primary
school. 

A number of programmes run by the school are also contributing
to the 'strengthening' of the community.  Early in 1988 the school
kapa haka group won the national kapa haka competition. 
The children's continued success has impacted on the community
in the following ways:

-  An observed increase in morale, self-esteem, and pride
   amongst the children;

-  An increase in parents supporting their children and 
   working with other parents for the benefit of their children;

-  A more positive profile for the Otangarei Community it's 
   Services and the Local Primary School;

-  Pride that a Northland Community from a low socio area had
   worked hard and reaped the benefits.

These small successful projects have been the start of many.
We have built on them and our vision has grown.
Some results have taken longer than others to be seen and
still there is much work to be done working towards the goal
of reduction in regards to the issues our families and community
face from offending youth and adults. 

At the end of the day the problem belongs to us all, so we
must all own it and continue to work at strategies of prevention.