Mahurangi Community Response Group

Mahurangi Communty Response Group

Celebration of Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2021

The Mahurangi Community Response Group sponsored a Neighbours Day event on the 21st of March, 2021 to celebrate our local community and allow people to meet with some the organisations that provide local emergency support. The event was held on a beautiful, sunny day along the Snells Beach waterfront in the Ariki Drive Reserve alongside the playgrounds. Gazebos were lent from private owners and from Harcourts Real Estate to provide some sun protection for exhibitors and a number of local groups were on hand. The Snells Beach volunteer fire brigade brought along a fire truck and the area kids had a lot of fun manning a fire hose and getting a close look at a fire truck and its associated equipment. Our local Police Sergeant Mark Stallworthy arrived with a NZ Police incident response and command truck. Along with lots of flashing lights, the truck was open for people to tour and Mark was there for the duration introducing himself to parents and kids and talking about community policing. Volunteers from the New Zealand Amateur Radio Emergency Communications group set up a display along with a number of radios and antennas.

As well as providing communications support for search and rescue activities, they have an extensive radio network and trained volunteers to provide emergency radio communications in the event of a natural disaster. It was great to meet the crew and see their radios in operation. A popular venue, particularly with the children, was the BBQ gazebo with free sausages and food donated by New World Warkworth. The BBQ was deftly manned by volunteers from our local Community Response Group. Watermelon was also on hand for a bit of dessert for those that had their fill of sausages. One of our local Neighbourhood Support members provided additional entertainment with blowing great big bubbles for the children to chase.

Thank you to all to participated and came along to the event. This day was a great first go at what we hope will become an annual gathering. Look for us this upcoming summer with another day out which should be even more fun.