Linking with other community groups

Another lockdown, another meeting cancellation. Then the (rather surreal) tsunami evacuation threw us for a bit of a loop, but Kaiwaka Can members have been determined not to let disruptions downgrade our wave of momentum. To keep us on track, interim chairman David Wright called a mini meeting as an important deadline looms.

As part of the Long Term Plan 2021-2031, the Kaipara District Council (KDC) is looking for community opinions on the future of Kaipara. The Long Term Plan is the blueprint for the next 10 years and it sets the KDCs direction for the future, and the projects and services that are planned to get there. We encourage everyone to get involved and 'have your say' on the future of your community.

Kaiwaka Can is pooling resources and actively working towards putting together a submission. The deadline is April 1, so the agenda for our March meeting will be focussed strongly on our submission. If you would like to work with us on our submission please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you, and appreciate any assistance offered.

Linking in with other community groups is one of our missions this year, and we are absolutely thrilled to have very recently connected with Mangawhai Matters (MM) who have been doing excellent work in the community. MM have expressed their willingness to join forces and work together towards a better Kaipara. This important strategic relationship is going to be key to gaining traction, manpower and momentum on the many community-led projects we get behind.

McLean Park cleanup
With the Kaiwaka Footbridge Project moving full steam ahead and the grand opening pencilled in for March 2022, Kaiwaka Can’s focus is now shifting to the footbridge’s 'final destinations', with one walkway set to lead to McLean Park.

A hidden gem of huge potential, McLean Park sits on the bank of the Kaiwaka River. Named after J. Archie McClean, who donated the land, the park is full of mature natives and healing shrubs and plants. It's the project that we've chosen to focus our collective superpowers on this year, and with several huge pushes we plan to ‘spread the love' and uncover the potential that's currently hidden under lots of weeds and general waste.

While behind the scenes mahi take place to gain permissions from appropriate parties to undertake the clean-up, working bee planning is taking place so we’re ready to launch when the green light is given. If you’d like to put your name down as a helper or perhaps you have some kai to donate for our worker BBQ, please get in touch. Working bee dates will be announced as soon as possible, so please check your local noticeboards and our Facebook page for updates.

n If you would like to get involved and/or think you have some skills that might help us push a project forward, please get in touch at facebook.com/kaiwakacan/

Some Kaiwaka Can members by the Kaiwaka River at McLean Park. A park clean-up will be a focus this year in anticipation of the new footbridges.