View email in your browser                                              Hakihea | December 2021
Yesterday we had an extra special Members' Meeting celebrating 50 years of the Community Services Council at the All Saints Community Centre, a historically significant venue, as our constitution was first presented at a public meeting on 18 October 1971 in the hall which previously stood on the site.

Thank you to Mayor Grant Smith for coming along yesterday and sharing your thoughts on the connected community sector we have in Palmerston North and the central role which CSC as a network of organisations plays in this. The Mayor spoke about CSC's history and long partnership with PNCC, the value which social services bring to the people of Palmerston North, as well as mentioning the history of the All Saints Hall which burned down in 2007 and replaced by the current hall.

The Palmerston North City Council is our key partner and have been instrumental from the foundation of CSC, supporting our organisation in practical ways such as providing office space, and of course financially through grants and contracts over the years. In turn CSC has advocated for Council to meet the needs of the community, and were instrumental in the establishment of the community development unit within the Council in the early decades. These days, our work aligns with PNCC’s goal for a connected and safe community, and the mahi all of our members do is valued and seen as strategically important for our City.
CSC Chair Kim Penny, Mayor Grant Smith, and Jean Hera of longstanding member group Te Hā o Hine-ahu-one Palmerston North Women’s Health Collective cutting the beautiful cake from Wildflower Cakery.
Kim Penny, CSC Chair, reflected on the themes of working together as we provide community and social services in Palmerston North—and how having a strong and connected sector really has helped us during times of crisis, including during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
2021 has been another challenging year! Fortunately, it is almost time for the summer break! We hope you can take some time out to relax during the holiday period. For those of you working through this time, thank you for your important mahi!
 
From the CSC team, best wishes for the festive season, and we look forward to working with you again in 2022. We’ll be back in the CSC office from Monday 10 January.

Ngā mihi o te wā,
Emma

Emma Ochei
Manahautū | General Manager
Palmerston North Community Services Council
In this pānui:
PNCSC members' meeting dates for next year are 12pm on Thursdays February 10, April 7, June 9, August 11, October 20, and December 8. 
 
The next Flax Pānui will go out on 14 January. Notices are due by Thurs 13 January. 
Kia ora koutou,
 
As we prepare for the final few weeks before summer holidays, I want to thank everyone in the community sector for the heart and passion you put into serving the community, whether your role is paid or unpaid. Each year Council recognises a small number of individuals for their sustained voluntary contribution to the community by awarding them a Civic Honour. This year we recognised the time and talents of Bal Ghimire (Bhutanese Society), Dr Hanif Quazi (Muticultural), Professor Emeritus Margaret Tennant (History), Susan McConachy (Arts) and John Fowke (Governance). Congratulations to them for their awards and decades of service.

Submissions have now closed on the Draft Support and Funding Policy, and we heard from some submitters who presented to committee this week. It is very helpful to have such a good level of engagement on policy from community organisations and we thank you for the time and thought you put into the submissions. The report back will be on 9 March 2022.

The last Council meeting for the year will be 20 December. We then take a break in January with meetings restarting early February. The next Community Development Committee Meeting is 9 March at 1pm.
 
Ngā mihi nui,
Lorna
lorna.johnson@pncc.govt.nz
Mobile 021 2460668
 
Cr Lorna Johnson
Chair, Community Development Committee
Palmerston North City Council
As the end of the year draws near, it’s a good time to reflect on the year that’s been. In all honesty, we’ve been through a lot, with some really testing times and many disruptions presented by a global pandemic.
 
Our approach to COVID-19 has served us well by protecting lives and livelihoods. We’ve had the lowest number of cases, hospitalisations and deaths in the OECD, and our economy is in good shape. But Delta is here so we’re taking the next step in our plan to safely reopen by moving into the COVID-19 Protection Framework – the “traffic light system”. Our plan will keep New Zealanders safe from Delta with vaccine passes a key part of our plan. They’ll ensure our communities, workplaces and events are safe, adding an extra layer of protection for people who can't be vaccinated like young children. 

For guaranteed access to cafes, bars, gyms, sports games and concerts this summer, you’ll need to be fully vaccinated, and you’ll need your vaccine pass. It’s quick and easy to download your pass at mycovidrecord.health.nz or call 0800 222 478.
 
I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for playing your part in supporting the most vulnerable members of our community – and for supporting each other – over the last 20 months. You play a pivotal role, and your resilience and strength is to be admired.
 
Meri Kirihimete me te tau hou. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. And I hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing summer.

Tangi Utikere MP
Member of Parliament for
Palmerston North
We're celebrating 50 years of PNCSC! Throughout the year we thought we'd highlight some of the things in our archives.

For the final look back I thought we'd see what was happening in the not so distant past—10 years ago. The big news for us that year, as some of you will no doubt remember, was the completion and opening of Community House (to be named Hancock Community House a year or so later). Here's Flax from before and after the move, in May and June 2011 respectively, and shot of our office and the building in progress.

Summer Hours for Social & Community Services
A list of summer hours and shutdown dates for local community and social services is available on CSC's website. If you'd like us to add your organisation, please email us.
pncsc.org.nz/resources/christmashours
Tonic Conference 2022 IN PALMERSTON NORTH!
Exult's Tonic Conference is one of New Zealand's most vibrant, best value events for the community sector. It covers all the aspects of running a non-profit organisation including fundraising, marketing, management, governance, and volunteer issues.

Tonic Conference 2022 is in Palmerston North on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 May at the Palmy Conference and Events Centre.

Earlybird tickets are on sale now. Click here for more information or to secure your spot.
Te Aroha Noa Community Services
Highbury Virtual Christmas 
Christmas is coming to Highbury again for 2021. It's going to look a bit different this year.

Due to current ‘gatherings’ restrictions leading up to the Christmas holiday period, we have decided to explore the idea of a digital ONLINE livestreamed event, a ‘Highbury Virtual Christmas’, which we expect will reach a greater community audience.

This will take place on Te Aroha Noa's Facebook page on Saturday, 11th December from 3-5pm.

The online event will consist of intermittent local artists and performers, multi-cultural showcases, pre-recorded videos from local support services. Santa will be popping into our community to spread Christmas cheer to whānau and the community.
English Language Partners has relocated to Level 1, 44 King Street, Palmerston North. 

From 12 January 2022, English Language Partners New Zealand Trust will be a fully vaccinated workplace.

Season's Greetings to all! Our office is closing Monday 20 December and will reopen on Monday 10 January.
Whatunga Tūao Volunteer Central wishes all people in the region a safe and settled festive season, and in particular all the volunteers who give so much to our communities.

The office will be closed from midday Thursday 23 December and reopen Wednesday 5 January however, as we are providing services that require quick responses over the full festive period we are able to be contacted on info@volunteercentral.nz or ring 06 354 6027 and leave a message.
Age Concern is on the move!
Age Concern Palmerston North and Districts is moving to new premises. Our new address is 4/251 Broadway Ave, Palmerston North, on the corner of Broadway and Vivian St. The entrance is on Vivian St. Our office phone number 06 355 2832 remains the same.

We close for the Christmas holidays on Friday 17 December and reopen at 4/251 Broadway Ave., on Thursday 6 January. Please feel free to drop in and say hello.
 
Age Concern Upcoming Activities and Events:
  • Tea and Talks: Tuesday 22 February 1pm to 3 pm.
  • Summer Afternoon Tea Dance – Tuesday 1 March 1.30 pm to 4 pm.
  • Life without a Car: 2 hour workshop with morning or afternoon tea – 4 March, 13 April, 11 May
  • Staying Safe Refresher Driving workshops with free lunch – 18 February, 23 March, 29 April
To put your name down for any of these events phone Age Concern on 06 355 2832

Read Age Concern's latest newsletter here.
Alliance Francaise 
Adult Intensive New Beginner Programme and Adult Intensive Accelerate Programme from 20 - 23 December. More info.

Xmas screening for Children on Friday 10 December. More info.

Xmas celebration in Alsace on Friday 17 December. More info.

Two fundraisers are currently underway, an xmas raffle and xmas gift vouchers. To purchase gift vouchers, click here.

For further info on any of the above, please email info@french.org.nz

Digits
We are nearing the end of the year and our final family induction is scheduled for the 14th December 2021. Any applications after this date will be processed and issued in late January 2022 ready for the new school year. 

Our final work day is Wednesday 22nd December 2021 and the Operations Manager Bronwyn Ewens will return Wednesday 5th January 2022.

We would like to wish you all a very merry xmas and a happy and prosperous 2022. We thank our board members, volunteers, funders, and sponsors for your support. We look forward to working with you all in the new year.

The Salvation Army Palmerston North Food Bank will close on Friday 17 December at 1pm and will reopen on Monday 10 January at 10am. 

Leading up to Christmas we will be extending our foodbank hours to the following days and times:
Wednesday 8 December         10am -1pm
Thursday 9 December             1pm - 3pm
Friday 10  December               10am -1pm
Monday 13 December             10am -1pm
Tuesday 14 December            1pm - 3pm
Wednesday 15 December       10am - 1pm
Thursday 16 December           1pm - 3pm
Friday 17 December                10am - 1pm

Our centre will close at 4pm on Thursday 23 December and reopen on Wednesday 5 January.

We would like to wish you all a very safe and Merry Christmas.

MaLGRA's office is now open—our office hours are Tuesday to Thursday 10am-2pm. While we are here at present, our formal advertising will be going out as of 10 January when Hancock Community House reopens after Christmas break. If you need to refer anyone to us over the Christmas period we will still be around but please email both office@malgra.org.nz and secretary@malgra.org.nz

AGM / Christmas Function
Starting at 6.30pm on December 17 at Hancock Community House 77 King Street, PN. Nibbles and drinks are provided and there is a Secret Santa for all those who wish to attend and take part. Please bring a gender-neutral present to a maximum value of $10. Our Annual Christmas Raffle will be drawn, everyone who attends gets a free entry. Plenty of christmas music and joy to be had alongside a fantastic opportunity to share ideas or visions of things that MaLGRA can work on in the next 12 months.

Please RSVP with any special dietary requirements.

Agenda items include key reports, presentation of annual audited accounts, MaLGRA constitution amendments, elections of officers and committee, general business & community feedback - this will include update on current projects and upcoming projects.

Environment Network Manawatū
Stuck for an original gift for friends or family this Christmas? Gift a predator trap and donate to the welfare of local biodiversity for 2022!
A predator trap deployed in the Ruahine Ranges is the perfect waste-free gift to help bring kiwi back to the area. Rats, stoats, possums, wild cats and hedgehogs destroy bird life by attacking small chicks and eating eggs.  When you donate a trap as a gift, your money will be put towards the installation of traps to kill these alien predators.  

We are hoping to deploy up to 1000 traps in the Ruahine Ranges over 2021-22. Your donation will help in significantly decreasing predator numbers and increasing bird life in the area. Find out more.


ENM Office Christmas Closing

The ENM office will be closed from 4pm on Thursday 23 December and reopen on Monday 10 January as all staff take a well-deserved break.

Environmental Small Grants info under Funding below.
Arohanui Hospice
Tree of Remembrance

Head along to Farmers Home store on Rangitikei or to The Plaza to support Arohanui Hospice's Tree of Remembrance from now until Christmas Eve. In exchange for a donation, you'll receive a card to write a message to your loved one and place on the tree. Christmas is generally the time of year when we think of people who won't be with us during the festive season - they may have died, living overseas, or in other parts of the country, or perhaps just can't be with you at this time of year. This card is an opportunity to write a special message for someone you'll be thinking about this festive season.

Arohanui Hospice provide specialist palliative care to patients with a life-limiting illness taking into consideration their physical, cultural, emotional, and spiritual needs along with support to their families/whānau all at no charge.
Workbridge are operating in the current Covid level with the respective protocols in place to keep everyone safe. We are only able to meet with people who are fully vaccinated with proof of vaccine pass. For all others we are able to work remotely. We are still covering Feilding, Levin, Otaki, Dannevirke on our regular appointment cycles. Palmerston North is everyday being our office base!

We are in Dannevirke every second Monday afternoon, Feilding every Friday, and Levin every second. We are of course able to accommodate appointments outside of these days as may be required. We can meet for appointments at the office on a scheduled basis with two visitors as a maximum on allocated time basis. We are unable to take any walk-ins.

If you have or know of someone with a disability that is looking for employment support, then please get in touch with one of the team at any stage. We are located at Level One, 85 The Square with the entrance being on Church Street, right by the Taxi Stand.

Contact one of the team:
Sam 021870897
Kasia 027 3708782
Warwick 027 2887216.
NOTE: We will be closed from Thursday 23 December, reopening on Monday 10 January 2022. For urgent contact please call the Service Centre on 0508 858 858.
Cancer Society
What's on at Addis House?

To read about what is happening at Addis House over December, click here.

Smokefree Aotearoa
As of 28 November it is illegal to smoke or vape in a vehicle that has children under the age of 18.
For more information, click here.
Community Governance is launching a new website - Community Governance NZ. This will be a digital whare that supports not-for-profit boards across Aotearoa in best practice governance to serve our communities.

We’ll be joined by a panel of community governance leaders and the team behind Community Governance NZ. It's an opportunity to get to know the people supporting Community Governance and take a look at the resources available. You'll hear from not-for-profit leader Dr Jo Cribb, our Community Governance chair, Mele Wendt, and our Te Ao Māori advisory group leaders. And, there will be time for your questions at the end.  

This represents an exciting new time for not-for-profit organisations across Aotearoa.
We hope you can join us! Register for the launch here.
Horowhenua District Council
Review of Gambling Class 4 Venue & New Zealand Racing (TAB) Venue Policies

Horowhenua District Council is in the process of reviewing its Gambling Class 4 Venue and TAB Venue policies, and welcomes feedback from stakeholders on their views on the draft policies.

Information about the 2021 draft policies & the proposed changes, along with how to make a submission can be accessed on Councils website, please click here. Submissions close on Sunday 19 December 2021.
Midcentral District Health Board's December 2021 community update newsletter is now available to read here.
Lime Scooters have just launched their Lime Access scheme, providing discounted rides of at least 50% to support lower income users. Lime Access aims to make micro-mobility options more accessible to underserved communities. Lime Access is available for anyone with a Community Services Card and those interested can apply online here.

The Ride to Recovery initiative has been helping users get to and from their vaccine appointments in cities all over the world .Riders can upload their vaccination booking confirmation on Lime’s portal to receive two free rides (up to 15 minutes each) in order to travel to and from their appointment.
Te Aroha Noa

Cleaner (Part Time)

Te Aroha Noa are looking for a cleaner to join their team for 20 hours per week. Read job advertisement here.

Kitchen Assistant - Early Childhood Centre (Part Time) 
An opportunity has arisen for a part-time kitchen assistant to join our team within the Early Childhood Centre at Te Aroha Noa Community Services. Read job advertisement here.

To apply for either role, please send your CV and cover letter to Michelle Thompson by Friday 17 December 2021.
Palmerston North Community Services Council
Summer Reception Support—Hancock Community House

Part time (22 hours) and fixed term (4 weeks)
 
We are looking for a friendly and confident person to join us at the reception desk at Hancock Community House, to support the Community Services Council team from mid-January to early February. This will be a part-time role, ideally for Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays – however there is could be some flexibility for the right candidate. We envisage this role would be suitable for a student, particularly someone studying social work or a related discipline, as it is a great opportunity to support social services operating in Hancock Community House, and be involved in the hub of the local community sector.

We will be advertising this role through our networks next week, however, please do get in touch with CSC Manager Emma Ochei by email for further information.
Volunteer Central
Essential Wellbeing Volunteer

Provide a vital role in assisting those in our community who are isolating at home de to the pandemic.

We seek volunteers all around Palmy, Horowhenua, Manawatū and Tararua, and shifts will be between 2pm-6pm from Monday to Sunday. However, at this stage, the volunteers will be on stand by until we have cases to support. More info here

We will provide volunteers with training when an opportunity arises. Commitment will be vital to this task. Those interested can get in touch through our website and register as a volunteer or send us an email.
SuperGrans Manawatū
Sewing Mentor Volunteer
SuperGrans Manawatū is renowned for supporting the community's wellbeing through its life skills mentoring service. We are looking for a person to donate two hour per week (term time) to join our friendly sewing mentors to teach sewing skills in a small group environment.

If you are looking to make a difference in 2022 and have sewing skills to share we would love to hear from you. Please contact Robyn on 06 354 3804 or admin@sgmanawatu.org.nz
 
Palmerston North Community Services Council (on behalf of PNCC)
Community Development Emergency Grants for community groups in Palmerston North facing unexpected costs. This can be used for the same expenses as the Community Development Small Grants. The Community Services Council administers this fund on behalf of PNCC, so please get in touch with us for further information.
Environment Network Manawatū (on behalf of PNCC)
Environmental Initiatives Fund to support Palmerston North-based community initiatives that improve environmental outcomes. Small Grants (up to $1000) and Large Grants (between $1,000 and $12,000) are available for projects that align with PNCC’s Eco-City Strategy priorities, and any identified priorities of the network. The Small Grants are open year-round for applications, and Large Grants have one funding round a year, next opening in February 2022. There is currently $66,000 available for distribution. Click here to read more
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