Community board grants bring joy and support to tamariki
Three community groups are celebrating after Te Hiku Community Board granted them a share of more than $9000 in funding at its 24 October meeting.
Three community groups are celebrating after Te Hiku Community Board granted them a share of more than $9000 in funding at its 24 October meeting.
He Whanau Marama Trust (Shine on Kaitāia) received $5000 towards the 2023 Christmas Parade festival in Kaitāia. Last year, the event involved more than 1500 people from float participants, volunteers, businesses, schools, churches, social services, entertainers, community groups and the public, who travel from all over Te Hiku to participate. Organisers say the event is positive for Kaitāia and is something that the tamariki look forward to every year.
The board allocated $3000 to Graeme Dingle Foundation towards supporting Kiwi Can Leaders to travel to seven schools in Te Hiku. Applicants told the board that many tamariki in the Far North face significant social and environmental challenges leaving them vulnerable to developing negative behaviours. Kiwi Can Leaders act as role models, teaching positive values and behaviours through high-energy experiential learning activities every week of the school year. Schools that would directly benefit from this funding would be, Oruaiti School, Mangonui School, Kaingaroa School, Taipa Area School, Peria School, Te Hapua School, and Ngataki School.
The board also approved a grant of $1500 for music therapy for Te Hiku tamariki. Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, established in 2004 by singer Dame Hinewehi Mohi, enables wellbeing, empowerment, and joy through music therapy, using music to promote the healing and personal growth of people with identified intellectual, physical, social or mental health challenges.
The next Te Hiku Community Board meeting will be held on Tuesday 21 November at Te Ahu. It can be watched live on Facebook and YouTube from 10am.