Leadership Transition

Louisa Barham Steps Down as Co-Chair
We have been exceedingly fortunate to have had Louisa Barham as Co-Chair at Raglan Naturally for the past three years. Louisa’s professionalism, passion, and strategic leadership have been invaluable to the progression of our organisation. As Louisa steps down from her joint role as Co-Chair, we are pleased to announce that she will continue to contribute her expertise as a member of the RN Advisory Group. Thank you, Louisa, for your incredible dedication and impact!

Welcoming Hans Buwalda as New Co-Chair
We are excited to introduce Hans Buwalda as our new board member and Co-Chair. Hans has lived in Raglan for the past seven years, relocating from Auckland. As an environment, health, and safety consultant working from home, Hans brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to our community.

A true Bruce Springsteen fan with a complete collection of his music, Hans enjoys the outdoors and is often seen paddleboarding or cycling around the mountain. He is also an avid yoga practitioner, frequently visiting The Space. Hans is married to Lyn, and they have two adult daughters who love visiting Raglan when they’re not travelling.

Hans has extensive board experience, having served with the New Zealand Green Building Council and the Eco-Labelling Trust. Before moving to Raglan, he was the Group Environment, Health, and Safety Manager for Fletcher Building. We are thrilled to have Hans join us and look forward to his contributions.

Acknowledging Our Board Members
We extend our deepest gratitude to all our RN Board members who generously volunteer their time and expertise. Your dedication is crucial to our mission of supporting community-led development in Whaingaroa.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in making Whaingaroa a vibrant and thriving community. Together, we can achieve great things!

Matariki ki Whaingaroa

The Matariki public holiday is coming up on Friday, 28 Jun 2024, and locally in Raglan there are a number of great events planned for the long weekend.

Matariki ki tua o ngā whetū - Matariki of Endless Possibilities
Entry by koha. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each event. Bookings are recommended - reservation link can be found at link below.

• 10am - Exhibition Opening Explore various exhibits celebrating Matariki and Indigenous culture. Featuring artwork from Local Māori artists. Open daily from Friday 28 June to Sunday 7 July, 10am-2pm. Entry by koha.
• 3pm - Opening Welcome
• 3.20pm - Toitū te Tiriti - Waitangi Day Whaingaroa 2024 Witness a short film by Maryann Tuao documenting the 2024 Waitangi Day celebrations in Whaingaroa, emphasising community unity and Treaty of Waitangi principles.
• 3.30pm - Kōrero with Angeline Greensill Listen to Angeline Greensill as she shares insights from her journey as an environmentalist, activist, educator and Te Tiriti o Waitangi claimant.
• 4.30pm - Film Screening: "Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen" Discover the legacy of Merata Mita, a trailblazing Māori filmmaker who revolutionised Indigenous participation in cinema. (2018, 95min)

• 5-7pm - Matariki Kōrero Join Komako-aroha Silver for screenings of her films, followed by personal insights and Q&A sessions.
• Ngākau Immerse yourself in visual poetry and taonga pūoro by Michael Moore and Komako-aroha Silver, exploring emotions and ancestral connections in Te Henga. Includes poetic films narrated by Ngaronoa Renata. (7 mins)
• Plus four, five-minute poetic films featuring different stars of Matariki in collaboration with Tuakana Whetu Silver and Atirau Jensen.

Sunday 30 June
Location: Raglan Arts Centre

• Sunday 30 June, 3-4pm - Toreparu Wetland Restoration Project Local specialists Mahuru Robb and Taruke Thomson share their expertise on the Toreparu Wetland Restoration Project.

• 4.30pm - I am the River and the River is Me Embark on a journey down the sacred Whanganui River with Māori river guardian Ned Tapa and his companions, exploring its status as a legal person and its cultural significance. (2024 | 88min)

Monday 1 July

• Toreparu Wetland Restoration Presentation to Local Schools

Friday 5 July
Location: Raglan Arts Centre

• 6-7.30pm - Te Mauri Tau Short Films Kōrero Engage with Te Mauri Tau as they discuss their short films and their cultural significance.

• Te Kūmara Discover the traditional ways of growing and storing kūmara in this beautifully crafted documentary by Te Mauri Tau, featuring Te reo Māori with English subtitles. (40min)

  Plus a selection of Te Mauri Tau short films highlighting the kaupapa of Enviro Schools. (30min)

• Art Exhibition by Local Māori Artists Open daily from Friday 28 June to Sunday 7 July, 10am-2pm Entry by koha.

Matariki Celebration Hākari (Ceremonial Feast) Pre-sales $15, pickup 1.30pm Friday 28 June at the Old School Arts Centre. Tickets from Raglan iHub or Old School Arts Centre. Only 250 available.

Celebrate Matariki 2024 with us in Whaingaroa, embracing indigenous knowledge, culture and the spirit of endless possibilities. Be educated, inspired, challenged and activated.

Full programme: www.raglanihub.nz 
Film and Talks reservations: https://www.raglanartscentre.co.nz/films/

Mānawatia a Matariki

Te Tiriti o Waitangi Workshops:

We had another great group of community members attend our recent Te Tiriti Workshop earlier this month. These events are a great way to learn about Te Tiriti and understand the history of Te Tiriti and its implications today.

Tangata Tiriti - Treaty People
The Tangata Tiriti – Treaty People full-day workshop about the Treaty of Waitangi is appropriate for service providers, community participants, Board members, newcomers to Aotearoa New Zealand. The workshop takes an ‘informed citizen’ approach to the treaty, which is applicable to community and social services as well as to community participation and governance.
 
Non Māori participants consistently report that the workshop gives them a very full understanding of the Treaty historically, and implications for working with Māori today. Newcomers particularly appreciate the background to the Māori-Pākehā relationship, and hearing that they are welcomed through the Treaty. Māori participants report that they appreciate the focus on the Māori text of the treaty, the rich information about hapū history, and the review of colonisation.

Workshop Details
Date: Wednesday 31st July
Time: 9 - 4.30pm
Location: Stewart Street Hall, Raglan

Get Ahead with Gen Z: Whaingaroa Event

6 Steps to Successfully Employing Young People:

• Effective Inductions
• Inclusive Workplaces
• Mentoring Conversations to Remember
• Resolving Raglan Challenges - Discussion
• The Four Rs of Retention

Join us for a fun and interactive workshop designed for employers, managers, and anyone working with young people.

Hosted by: Smart Waikato Trust
Supported by: Raglan Naturally Community Trust, Whaingaroa Youthwork Collective, and the Community Organisation Grants Scheme.

Price: FREE

Date and Time:
Friday, 5th July 2024
10:00 am - 1:00 pm NZST

Location:
Raglan Town Hall
41 Bow Street, Raglan 3225, New Zealand

Celebrating our Volunteers

During National Volunteer Week, held from 16-22 June 2024, Raglan Naturally hosted an event to celebrate the invaluable contributions of volunteers in the Whaingaroa community.

This year's national theme, "Whiria te tangata – Weave the people together," highlighted the collective energies and mana of volunteers across Aotearoa. The event brought together the many dedicated individuals whose efforts are essential to the vibrancy of the Whaingaroa community. We acknowledge that there are many others who couldn't make it this time. There are more than 65 local organisations and groups who operate with volunteer support. 
 

At the celebration, volunteers shared stories, acknowledged each other's achievements, and reflected on the joy and growth their contributions bring. Raglan Naturally extends a heartfelt thank you to all volunteers for their unwavering dedication, which continually enriches and strengthens the community for everyone. Your hard work and commitment are truly appreciated.

There is such a variety of opportunities across Whaingaroa, Raglan and volunteering is a great way to meet new people, grow your skills and local knowledge, share your skills and contribute to the community. 

If you are interested in volunteering in our community, please contact us at info@raglannaturally.co.nz.  

Raglan Naturally Film at the Raglan Film Festival