Rāpare, 10 Mahuru 2026 | Wednesday, 10 September 2026 

"Lukautim, strongim na kirapim tokples na pasin blo tubuna"
Preserve, revitalise and promote our language and culture.

This week we're celebrating Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Wik (Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week), running from 6 to 12 September 2026.

Language is a powerful way to connect with people, culture and identity, so take the opportunity this week to learn more about Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin and celebrate the diversity of our community. 

Opinion piece by Dr. Juliet Kane

We're making Porirua the best place to raise a whānau

Nearly one in four enrolled New Zealanders did not vote in the last general election. Yet decisions made by the government about housing, health, education, employment, and community wellbeing affect all of us every day. Communities are strongest when people are part of the decisions that shape their lives.

As the election approaches, many of us will be considering the future we want for our communities. Voting is one way people can have a say in that future.

This year, people must be enrolled by 25 October to vote in the 7 November election. This means enrolment will close 12 days before election day, making it important to check enrolment details early.

Young people, Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled people, renters, and those experiencing financial hardship often face greater barriers to participation. At the same time, these communities are often most affected by public policy decisions. Supporting participation in elections helps build stronger, more representative communities where a wider range of voices are heard.

The Role We Can Play

Many readers of this pānui work in community organisations, health services, education, social services, advocacy, and local initiatives.

While it is not our role to tell people who to vote for, we can play an important role in supporting participation.

For some people, voting is straightforward. For others, there may be practical barriers.

Small conversations and actions can make a difference. A simple reminder, displaying information in a waiting room, or helping someone find the information they need may be the encouragement that turns intention into participation.

Shaping the Future Together

Every vote is an opportunity to help shape the future of our communities.

We encourage everyone who is eligible to vote to make their voice heard. For those of us working alongside whānau and communities, that may also mean helping others to have their say. The more voices that are heard, the more likely decisions will reflect the realities, aspirations, and strengths of our communities.

This year, it is especially important that people check their enrolment details early.

Need help with your electrol enrolment? 

Attend a pop-up session at Porirua’s City Centre Library Te ngahere o te matauranga ki Porirua where representatives from the Electoral Commission will be on hand to answer any questions you might have and assist you with enrolling for the country’s General Election in November.

Sessions run from 11am till 2pm on

• Saturday 12 September and
• Saturday 19 September

Or visit the Porirua Enrolment Hub, at Northcity Mall, Store 132, Lower Level next to Reading Cinemas.

Open from 8 September - 4 October

• Mon - Wed: 9am - 6pm
• Thu: 9am - 9pm
• Fri: 9am - 6pm
• Sat & Sun: 10am - 6pm

You can also update your enrolment status by going to vote.nz or calling 0800 36 76 56 or texting your name and address to 3676 (free text).

Join us this Saturday, 12 September, 1pm - 4pm Mungavin Hall

Established in 2021, the Porirua Community Leaders' Forum brings together leaders from iwi, community, Pacific and migrant communities, business, education and the social sectors to strengthen connections, identify shared priorities and support collective action across our city.

At this Saturday’s hui, we’ll be talking about an important opportunity for Porirua – helping to shape what local commissioning for social services could look like in our city.

Porirua has been selected to take part in a Discovery & Design process exploring how more decisions about social service investment could be made locally, with communities having a stronger voice in what gets funded, how services are designed and how we work together to support whānau.

This hui is an opportunity to hear more about the work and, importantly, help shape the values and principles that should guide a Porirua approach to local commissioning.

Read more about the local commissioning opportunity here.

You can also read more about the Porirua Community Leaders' Forum here.

Next hui: Saturday 12 September 2026, 1pm - 4pm
Where: Mungavin Hall, 10 Mungavin Ave, Porirua East
Register: porirua.assembly@ngatitoa.iwi.nz

Each month we'll introduce a member of the Porirua Community Leaders' Forum (PCLF) Kaitiaki Rōpū

The Porirua Community Leaders’ Forum recently established a Kaitiaki Rōpū. The Rōpū provides strategic stewardship for the shared vision of making Porirua the best place to raise a whānau. Over the coming months we will introduce members of the Kaitiaki Rōpū and share more about the diverse perspectives, experiences and leadership they bring. This month we are introducing James Pratt. 

James Pratt is based in Porirua and was born in Wellington, where he has lived for most of his life. He is Māori, Samoan and English, Deaf and disabled, and works across digital, strategy, governance, accessibility and practical implementation.

James builds bridges across Māori and Pacific spaces, disability and accessibility, local business and entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, community kaupapa and values-led organisations, particularly through his business JamesPratt.com. His connection across Porirua is active and intentional, strengthened through local business, Pacific, Māori, accessibility, digital inclusion and governance spaces.

His lived disability and accessibility experience shapes a clear commitment: participation cannot be assumed; it has to be designed. That includes how people are invited in, how information is shared, how meetings are run, and whether people have more than one way to contribute.

As a member of the Kaitiaki Rōpū, James brings a focus on connecting community voice with systems thinking, practical design, stewardship and follow-through. He does not see himself as representing every community he is connected to. Instead, he sees the role as listening carefully, noticing patterns, asking who may be missing, and helping strengthen the two-way flow between community voice and collective leadership.

James is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to The Porirua Community leaders' Forum and to serve Porirua with care.

Please join us on Saturday 12 September 1pm at the Porirua Community Leaders' Forum Hui where you can meet James, and other members of the Kaitiaki Rōpū. 

A FREE one-day workshop to increase your understanding & confidence in dealing with addiction and recovery

Addiction comes in many forms and impacts many of us - either directly or indirectly.

Addiction 101 is designed to help increase knowledge and understanding whilst reducing the stigma of addiction at home, work and everyday life. 

Get a better understanding of addiction and recovery, and the confidence to respond supportively using skills you already have.

This training is open to anyone without previous training who wants to learn more about addiction and recovery. It's particularly useful for kaimahi working in social services or any role interacting with people, but also whānau who are impacted by someone else's substance use or behaviours. 

• When: Friday, 20th November 2026. 9am - 4.30pm
• Where: Te Rauparaha Arena, Parumoana Street
• To Register: click HERE to register
• Cost: FREE including morning and afternoon tea

You can register via this on-line form or for more information visit this link or see the invite below. 

This event is free to attend thanks to funding provided by Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand 

Providers' Cuppa & Connect Wednesday, 16th September 

Join us for Porirua Providers’ Cuppa and Connect, our informal monthly get together. It's a great opportunity to connect with other Porirua providers, build relationships, and share information, ideas and insights.

Together we’ll create ways to make it easier for whānau to access the support they need without having to navigate the system alone.

Details: 

• When: Wednesday, 16 September 2026 | 10am - 11am 
• Venue: Mungavin Hall (Supper Room), Mungavin Avenue

No RSVP needed! Just drop in every third Wednesday of the month.

#kotahitanga #manaakitanga #PoriruaProviders

BizHub's new membership model brings new benefits

Local co-working space BizHub has officially relaunched with a brand-new membership model, shaped directly by the business owners and entrepreneurs who use the space every day. If you've been waiting for the right time to join, that time is now.

Why the Change

Earlier this year, BizHub ran a co-design session over Matariki, gathering feedback from its community on what would actually make the space work better for them. A clear theme emerged: people wanted more flexibility in how they use the space, the technology on offer, and access to private areas like meeting booths for client calls.

BizHub spent the following weeks acting on that feedback, and now it's live.

What Members Get

The new membership model brings a range of benefits, including:

• 5-day co-working
• Meeting rooms
• Mentoring & workshops
• Community

This means

• Hot desk access across all operating days
• Priority booking 
• 1:1 support plus group sessions, with more business support services rolling out over time

Regular events and opportunities to connect with other local businesses

Join Now & Stay in the Loop

The new 5-day co-working model is now in effect, so members can drop in and make the most of the space straight away.

Follow BizHub on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and member stories: @bizhubporirua

Your feedback is important to us. If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please email us at tewahitiakitatou@ngatitoa.iwi.nz