Financial boost for community groups

Event organisers and groups looking to upgrade facilities were big winners, receiving a share of more than $23,000 in grants from Kaikohe-Hokianga Community during its meeting on 25 October.

Waimamaku Playcentre was granted $5000 to buy toys and equipment for its 14 tamariki. Much of the current equipment is old, previously donated and doesn’t meet minimum safety standards set by Playcentre Aotearoa. As well as replacing the old equipment that could pose a risk, organisers want to invest in cultural and Te Ao Māori toys.

Waihou Marae was granted $4000 to purchase gazebos for the 2023 Marae Wars Touch Tournament that takes place on 28 December. The event brings together the Hokianga communities of Motutī, Panguru, Waihou, Rangi Point, and Mātihetihe, and organisers want to buy gazebos for the event that can also be shared within the community. More than 700 people live in the area, but over Christmas and New Year, thousands more return to the community and the touch tournament helps them reconnect and celebrate culture, traditions, and heritage.

Village Arts was granted $1534 to publish an updated Kohukohu Historic Walk Brochure. The walk has been extended to include Marriner Street and Old Beach Road, utilising the new footpath along Kohukohu Road. The money will go towards a redesign and reprint of the brochure to include the changes. The brochure is available in the community and is also stocked at Far North District Council isites.

Also receiving grants were:

· $5000 to Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi for the Kaikohe Christmas Festival on 9 December

· $2500 to Hush Dance Company for an end-of-year concert on 16 December.

· $5000 to Tāheke United Community Centre to erect fencing around its facilities.  

The next Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board meeting is on Wednesday 22 November in Council Chambers at Kaikohe. It will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube from 10am.

Photo: A new brochure will give a guide to Kohukohu’s history.