It’s all about the connections

“We want people to step away from their keyboards and not be keyboard warriors.”

That was the word from Louise Grevel, chairperson of Neighbourhood Support New Zealand at a recent pop-up event with local coordinator, Sharon Peters. The event was all about getting all levels of community to connect with each other.

“We want people to talk to each other and share information,” says Sharon. “A well connected community helps improve the safety and well-being of all residents.”

Neighbourhood Support Waitākere is a community-based programme that aims to make homes, streets and neighbourhoods safer and make our communities more caring places to live. It has strategic partnerships with New Zealand Police, Auckland Council, New Zealand Fire and Civil Defence.

They all have their role to play sharing the “Communication, Connecting and Community” message along with a range of other information to benefit everyone in the community.

“You’d be surprised how many people don’t know what to do in an emergency,” says Sharon.

Many go straight to social media thinking that that’s the right thing to do if they see something suspicious but Sharon and Louise agree it achieves little.

“They’re not actually reporting what they see to the right channels. And if it’s not reported, it’s not likely to be followed up. Make the right community connections,” says Louise.

And that’s where Neighbourhood Support comes to the fore. “One of our sayings is ‘see something, do something’ and by connecting with us we can ensure the right information gets through to the right people,” says Sharon.

“Neighbours had good connections with each other in the 1950s and 60s, but it’s different times now and so many people are out at work

The long hot summer

We are in the middle of a gloriously warm summer. Also dry, too dry for a number of Westies.

At the time of writing we have had a record 40 days without rain. It has been glorious but some locals are starting to feel the pinch.

Although the West Coast dams are reasonably full, about 70% full on average, the water distribution system has been thrown out of kilter by the need to regulate water flows in filling stations used by private water suppliers to fill up their tankers. This coupled with unprecedented demand means that delivery times have stretched out to months. And a number of people who rely on rain water are under considerable stress, as the warm weather and lack of supplies has caused their water reserves to dwindle. Titirangi itself is fine thanks to the reticulated water supply system. But parts of Cornwallis, Huia, Karekare, Piha, Te Henga, Waitakere and Waiatarua are struggling.

To help out Auckland Council is investigating a number of options. Tanks are proposed for Piha, Cornwallis and Waitakere where people can come and fill up 20 litre containers for free.

West Wave is offering free showers to locals. The local board has suggested that we need to investigate other facilities closer to affected areas and this is being looked into.

or involved in other activities and don’t know their neighbours. We want to reconnect communities, getting people to talk to each other and sharing information.”

The network has more than 8,000 households registered in the Waitākere area and is always on the lookout for more. “Our best day scenario is engaging with the community and getting the ‘connection’ message out there,” says Sharon. “It’s a great way to gain tips and resources to improve your household and neighbourhood safety.

“By working together we can support each other, solve local issues and make our neighbourhoods safer and more welcoming,” she says. For more information, 09 838 0132 or email neighbourhoodsupportwaitakere@gmail.com. Sharon Peters and Louise Grevel – connection is key. Police and volunteers help out the Neighbour Support Waitakere team at meet-and-greet pop up community events.

– Moira Kennedy

Council is also investigating the use of milk tankers filled with water placed at strategic sites to speed up the private tanker filling process. The quicker they can be refilled and put back into circulation the better.

So what can locals do? Please go easy on the water consumption. Current consumption levels are very high and there is no end to the current dry weather in sight. The reticulated urban area is not struggling yet but a continuation of this weather and it will.

And dare I say it but more extreme heat and fractured weather patterns are exactly as foretold by climate scientists. Our climate is changing. We need to look after it and protect it.

So go easy on your water consumption and check on your neighbours, particularly those out West in the unreticulated areas. And go easy on the planet. She is the only one we have.

Greg Presland, Co-Chair Waitakere Ranges Local Board