Rāhina, 13 Paenga-whāwhā 2026 | Monday, 13 April 2026

He manako te koura i kore ai

Wishing for the crayfish will not bring it

This whakataukī reminds us that aspiration alone is not enough. Across this month's Pānui, you’ll see the shift from kōrero to action already underway in Porirua. From kai to housing, to rangatahi resilience, our communities are not waiting — we are stepping forward together, turning shared intent into collective mahi.

Some moments have the potential to change how we do things, last month may be one of those moments.....On Thursday 19th March, representatives of the Porirua Assembly on Climate, including Helmut Modlik, Alison Corich, and rangatahi leaders Gloria, Miriam and Macky, stood before Porirua City Council to share their experiences of the Porirua Assembly on Climate. They spoke not only about climate change, but about being part of a process where community voice genuinely shaped the recommendations.

Later that same morning, Council passed its refreshed Climate Change Strategy. The Strategy draws directly on the recommendations of the Porirua Assembly and recognises it as a strong and credible expression of community voice. It reflects what can happen when people are brought together to share lived experience and shape solutions collectively.

A key outcome was Council’s decision to prioritise rangatahi voice in climate action, with a commitment of time and resource to support young people to play a meaningful role in decisions about their future.

This matters!

In Porirua, the strength of our community lies in our relationships. When people are connected, when voices are heard, and when decisions are shaped together, we are better placed to respond to the challenges we face, including climate change.

As rangatahi shared in their kōrero, this is not a distant issue. It is happening now and will shape the lives of future generations. Their message was clear. They want to be part of the decisions that affect them, not simply consulted, but involved in shaping the path forward.

The Porirua Assembly on Climate shows what is possible when we take a collective approach. It brings together mana whenua, community, and rangatahi in ways that build trust, deepen understanding, and enable shared action.

This is not the work of any one group. It is the work of a community.

It is also a reminder that when we create space for people to lead, listen, and act together, we can shape a future that reflects who we are and what matters most to Porirua.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who contributed. Your whakaaro and commitment are helping to shape the future of our city.

Opinion piece by Dr Nethmi Kearns

In every Reimagining kōrero we have had with Porirua, a simple idea emerged: that our communities should be “not far from the tree.” By this, we mean communities being closely connected to the source of kai, whether that is local growers, local shops, māra kai, or our own ability to produce and share kai. Whānau know where their kai comes from, how it is grown, and how it reaches their tables. 

True kai security exists when that connection is strong; when all whānau can access nourishing, affordable, and culturally meaningful kai, and when the tree itself is healthy and able to sustain us. 

And importantly, kai security is shaped by much more than kai itself. 

It is about the conditions that surround it. Warm, stable housing, sufficient income, strong community networks, short and resilient supply chains, access to whenua, and the knowledge and confidence to grow and prepare kai. When these elements are present, communities move closer to the tree where they are connected to the source of their nourishment, rather than disconnected from it. 

Yet for many whānau in Porirua, this connection is not guaranteed. For some whānau, this looks like skipping meals, relying on food support, or making trade-offs between kai and other essentials. 

From immediate access to kai in times of need, through to building whānau and community capability, and ultimately to reshaping the systems that determine how kai is produced, distributed, and accessed. When time, energy, or stability are limited, having kai readily available can make an immediate difference. When basic needs aren’t met, everything else becomes harder. 

At the same time, we see a clear tension in our community. We have local kai production, co-ops, and strong grassroots initiatives. And we also have hunger. 

The opportunity in front of us is to reconnect, to shorten the distance between the tree and our whānau. 

There is growing evidence that community-led solutions such as māra kai are part of the answer [1]. They do more than provide kai. They build kai literacy, strengthen connection to whenua, support wellbeing, and create local, sustainable food sources. They are a practical expression of kai sovereignty where communities have greater control over how food is grown, shared, and valued. 

Community-led solutions also align strongly with the Regional Food System Plan [2], particularly the goal that everyone has the knowledge and opportunity to access healthy, local kai. This recognises that equitable access, urban and community growing, and kai literacy are all critical to regional wellbeing. 

But no single organisation can deliver this alone. 

Achieving kai security and moving further towards kai sovereignty requires kotahitanga. It requires us to act collectively, coordinate our efforts, and recognise that we are part of an interconnected system. 

This is where collective impact matters. 

In Porirua, Te Wāhi Tiaki Tātou is supporting improved access to kai by strengthening coordination across services and providers. By bringing together organisations working across the kai system, we are enabling shared learning, increasing visibility of what’s available, reducing duplication, and supporting more effective responses to whānau needs. 

Our Kai Kaupapa Group is an expression of this. 

It is a collective space focused on tackling barriers to access and shaping practical solutions for our whānau, while strengthening the wider kai system. It is also shifting the conversation from simply balancing the books, to balancing the food system, and ultimately restoring balance with te taiao. 

Collective impact does not mean doing more. It means doing better, together. 

It means aligning around a shared vision, using our respective strengths, and holding a collective responsibility for outcomes. It means building relationships that enable real change and ensuring that whānau voice continues to guide the work. 

If this kaupapa resonates with you, we encourage you to read more about our first hui and consider how you might be part of this collective effort. Whether you are a provider, grower, funder, or community member, there is a role for you - www.porirualocality.co.nz/kai

Because when we work together, we move closer to a future where all our communities are not far from the tree.  

Close to their source. Connected. Nourished. Thriving – Making Porirua the best place to raise a whānau. 

References:

[1] Cultivating wellbeing: healing effects of an urban māra kai (community garden) in community housing in Aotearoa New Zealand

[2] Wellington Regional Leadership Committee — Regional Food System Plan

The collective mahi has begun.

At the recent Porirua Community Leaders’ Forum hui, leaders from across our community came together to agree on the priority areas that will guide our shared focus moving forward. These priorities reflect what we have heard consistently across our communities and where working together will have the greatest impact towards the vision: Porirua is the best place to raise a whānau!

The agreed priority areas are:

• Renewable Energy
• Community Resilience
• Kai Security
• Rangatahi Resilience
• Wai (including our harbour)
• Housing (homelessness – social housing)
• Drug Harm

These priorities are more than a list. They are a call to align our efforts, strengthen our relationships, and take coordinated action where it matters most.

A key next step is the establishment of kaupapa groups for each priority area. These groups are where the real work happens, bringing together those who are passionate, connected, and ready to contribute to collective solutions.

Two kaupapa groups are already underway:

Kai Kaupapa Group
Following the inaugural Kai hui, there is strong momentum to build a more connected and resilient local kai system. The kōrero highlighted both the depth of mahi already happening and the opportunity to better align efforts across Porirua.
We encourage you to read the hui notes and sign up to be part of the Kai Kaupapa Group: Kai - Porirua Locality

Housing Kaupapa Group
Housing continues to be a critical foundation for whānau wellbeing. This kaupapa will focus on strengthening coordination, identifying gaps, and supporting solutions that reflect the realities of our community.
If you are working in or alongside housing, we invite you to join this kaupapa: Housing — Porirua Locality

Over the coming months, the remaining kaupapa groups will be established. We encourage you to keep an eye out and consider where you can contribute.

This is collective action in motion. It is about bringing together our shared intent and turning it into meaningful, coordinated change for Porirua.

Provider Cuppa & Connect is on again

Over 40 Providers joined us last month for the first Provider Cuppa & Connect. These informal catch-ups are a great chance to connect, meet other Porirua providers, and share information and ideas. Come along to the next one.

Details: 

• When: THIS Wednesday 15 April | 10am - 11am 
• Venue: Mungavin Hall (Supper Room), Mungavin Avenue

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

#kotahitanga #manaakitanga #PoriruaProviders

Free, confidential and 100% legal Drug Checking Clinic

Te Wāhi Tiaki Tātou, in partnership with Know Your Stuff, is hosting a free and confidential drug-checking clinic on Saturday, 18th April 2026.

This community-based drug-checking clinic offers a practical, safe, and non-judgmental way to help reduce harm when risks may be higher, supporting community well-being through harm reduction and manaakitanga. 

Your safety matters. No judgment, just harm reduction! 

Details: 

• When: Saturday 18th April 2026 |11am – 3pm 
• Where: Ferry Lane (entrance behind Hei Oranga Ake, 4 Lydney Place,
  The door is opposite the mural on the side of the Metro bar.

He mahi aroha mō te hapori.

 Let’s walk this path together for a brighter, safer future. 

#HarmReduction #KnowYourStuff #Porirua 

BizHub: a new chapter for business & entrepreneurship in Porirua

BizHub is a space that's recently opened in our community; a whare dedicated to the growth and resilience of our local entrepreneurs and business owners.

For those of you navigating the world of business, we know that the journey often pushes your limits and throws the occasional curveball. BizHub has been established as a permanent landing place for our community; a space to co-work, connect, and collaborate.

Whether you are just starting out with a fresh idea or looking for someone to help troubleshoot the unique challenges that only fellow business owners understand, BizHub is here to tautoko you every step of the way.

This is a new chapter for business and entrepreneurship in our rohe, and we are excited to see our whānau thrive in a space that is truly theirs.

How to use BizHub

If you are looking for a place to base your mahi or need a bit of guidance, the doors are open:

• Monday & Wednesday (9am – 3pm): Open for co-working and connection at the BizHub whare.
• Tuesday & Thursday: The space is available for hire.
• Friday (9am – 1pm): Catch the team at The Peak for dedicated mentoring sessions.

For more information or to kōrero about hiring the space, you can reach out at info@bizhubporirua.nz or visit BizHub Porirua — Te Rūnanga O Toa Rangatira

This kaupapa stands as a testament to the strength of collective mahi and the enduring support of Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira. Alongside the Rūnanga, the contributions of Porirua City Council, WellingtonNZ, Te Matarau a Māui, Wellington Pasifika Business Network, and Creative HQ have been vital in bringing this whare to life.

A special mihi is also extended to the Todd Foundation for their generosity and their belief in the boundless potential of the Porirua business community.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. We look forward to seeing the amazing mahi that will grow from this space.

Wesley Community Action invite you to contribute to how we strengthening our communities - sharing in a Warm Data Gathering.

What is Warm Data?

Warm Data is all the information that is not measurable, not in the statistics, not in the textbooks, not in the algorithms, and is not easily defined. It is the messy stuff, like how we feel, sense and culturally perceive things.  It is the stuff we can’t fit into neat boxes — everything is in relationship with everything else. Warm data is all the information living in the community, and it is precious, extraordinary, and needs to be shared!

When we strengthen our collective understanding, we strengthen our community, our relationships and our resilience.

This is a unique opportunity to grow a richer understanding of what communities are and how we strengthen them.  It will be a lively conversation that enables everyone to offer when and how they want.  We gather as people, not as roles, titles or experts, to explore:

• What deeper understandings can we gain from each other that we’ve never considered before?

• What fresh ideas can emerge when we approach the issue from an entirely new direction?

• What might we find when we listen to quieter voices than the ones we’re used to hearing?

All you need to bring is yourself, your curiosity and your stories. Everyone is welcome.

Details: 

• When: 9.30am - 12.30pm Thursday, 14th May - followed by a light lunch
• Where: Porirua Gospel Chapel, 88 Hereford Street, Cannons Creek, Porirua
• RSVP by 8th May: to info@wesleyca.org.nz 

Koha appreciated

If you're curious about Warm Data, this is a good starting point www.warmdata.life

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