Each month we celebrate a different champion – someone who works with their local community and supports and promotes Neighbourhood Support.
December's champion is Mary Moore, a Group Contact for Neighbourhood Support in Puketapu South, Hastings. 🎉🙌
We asked her a few questions about her involvement with Neighbourhood Support:
How long have you been involved with Neighbourhood Support?
I started 20 plus years ago with 20 local neighbours which extended to 50 as our neighbourhood grew. Following Cyclone Gabrielle I offered to keep in touch with our entire area designated Puketapu South (after our bridge that connected us to the Puketapu community was washed away), which added another 150 households to my database.
How do you engage with and promote Neighbourhood Support locally?
Email, Facebook, phone calls, visits and neighbourhood meetings. I have always been a people person; facilitator and organiser.
I have a great rapport with our local rural Police and together we keep our community informed.
Following Cyclone Gabrielle a lot of neighbours were displaced from their flooded homes. I was able to keep them in the loop with what was happening in their community even though they were temporarily living elsewhere. A lot of people were hugely affected by the cyclone and giving them a hug and having a chat was sometimes all they needed to keep going.
What motivates you to work alongside our organisation?
I love where I live and enjoy meeting and talking with people and offering solutions where I can when there might be issues. I advocate for community who may not be able to voice concerns themselves.
I also have support from our local district council who provide resources that can be used at property’s and at functions.
What aspects of community networking have you seen Neighbourhood Support work really well?
My community lets me know if there is anything dodgy going on in the neighbourhood and I put that out to everyone to keep eyes open. This also extends to lost animals, boy racers, community functions and general titbits of information that people like to hear.
What would you tell your colleagues about Neighbourhood Support?
Neighbourhood Support connects communities, creating awareness, engagement and spirit. With the right people and the right approach anything is possible.
-ENDS
About Neighbourhood Support New Zealand
Neighbourhood Support is a nationwide community led movement that brings people and neighbourhoods together to create safe, resilient, and connected communities. Over 220,000 households are part of our growing network. Neighbourhood Support work alongside NZ Police and other partners to equip neighbourhoods to improve safety, be prepared for emergencies and support one another so that our communities are great places to live.
Address (appointment only)
C/O Police National Headquarters
180 Molesworth Street
Thorndon, Wellington, 6011
New Zealand
Email - info@neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz
Phone - 0800 4 NEIGHBOURS (0800 463 444)
Twitter - https://twitter.com/nsnewzealand
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