Articles in ‘Community’

“We’re so excited to be holding our second Street Fest, where we will once again be showcasing all the things that make Papakura great” says Tracy Shackleton, Papakura Town Centre Manager. “It will be a whanau friendly event where we celebrate our town, our people and our cultural richness. Last year’s event was attended by over 6,000 people and had over 45 stalls. This year we’re aiming for 8,000 people!” Food retailers will be offering yummy…

To understand any religion against a modern landscape, you first need to understand the landscape itself. New Zealand is a country with large scale immigration throughout its comparatively brief history, the Maori people arrived by sea followed by the Europeans. In the modern era we have drawn in people from the south east pacific islands, so much so that twenty per cent of Aucklanders originated from the Pacific Islands. Also, a fast growing…

New Zealand’s biggest Mother’s Day event, the Jennian Homes Mother’s Day Fun Run/Walk, in support of women’s heart health, is returning to Pukekohe on May 12 – with tickets now on sale. Runners and walkers will set off from Bledisloe Park at 9am, joining thousands of others participating in regional events around the country. · The annual event contributes to fundraising and awareness for the New Zealand Heart Foundation. Since the Heart…

Since 2016, the Papakura Local Board has been giving young people a helping hand with its financial scheme that provides a scholarship grant for those embarking on tertiary study, trade or leadership courses. The Papakura Youth Pathways and Excellence Grants recognise the importance of ensuring young people get a great start in life and provide awarded applicants a maximum of $2000.00 towards their chosen tertiary or vocational studies as per…

At the completion of 53 years of delivering food to those in need, the hard-working team of drivers at Papakura’s Meals on Wheels, celebrated the end of an era with one last get together at the St Johns Hall in Papakura on February 13th this year. The group, which was initially founded by Reverend FL and Mrs Gardner, has been delivering nutritious meals to those in need for over five decades, with many of the drivers who attended the…

On Saturday 16th March, Pukekohe Christian School will hold their main fundraiser for the year – their popular annual Gala. Commencing at 8.30 with the garage sale and finishing at 1.30, the day offers fantastic bargains, food and fun for everyone in the family. Located on Yates Road (past the railway station and behind the race course), PCS is a privately-funded Year 1 – 13 school which provides a safe, secure environment and an education…

There’s never been a better time to be old in New Zealand. Baby boomers, the generation born after WWII, are enjoying longer and better twilight years than ever before. And they are enjoying those years thanks to better health, better living conditions and greater wealth than their predecessors. Courtesy of government-provided, universally available superannuation, today’s elderly have a basic income enabling them to live in relative comfort,…

Since 2011, Papakura Youth Council has been a valuable asset to its Youth in the Papakura community by allowing them to be seen and heard. Working alongside the Papakura Local Board and community groups, the Youth Council are advocates for young people and organise initiatives and events that creates awareness and engagement for youth in today’s society. Current Papakura Youth Council Chairperson, Kyanna Hetaraka-Rua has been their…

For the eighteenth consecutive year the vegetable growers of Franklin will once again show their extreme generosity by donating produce to the annual Christmas appeal for the Salvation army.Which this year will occur on Wednesday the 19th of December Started by the Rotary Club of Drury in 2001 this has become a regular event in the week leading up to Xmas . Three big trucks each with a crew of three set out just after 8.00 am from the car…

From its early origins as farming land and as an undeveloped bush covered district where logs were once milled, the history of Opaheke and Ponga districts has undergone many changes throughout the years. Opaheke is part of the wider Papakura area and also provided two sites for American servicemen during World War 2. Its name literally translates to “the place where the large slip occurred” that refers to a major land slip that occurred on…