Greenhithe Community Trust
Connected and Emergency Ready
Learn what to do before, during and after an emergency to stay safe and recover.
The Ecology branch of Greenhithe Community Trust is a collective of local individuals and groups working to protect and enhance our local environment. Our motto is ‘Looking after your backyard & beyond: There’s a role for everyone.’ Greenhithe Community Trust has engaged Nicola, Louis, Gary, Taylor and Brianna to assist volunteers to roll out this strategy. The aim is to become a sustainable, connected community, fostering kaitiakitanga.
People come together to enjoy nature and discover what makes this neighbourhood unique. We remove weeds, plant natives, control pest animals, count birds and much more! We enjoy sharing our learnings with the next generation and new residents.
Anyone – schools, individuals, groups, businesses – wanting to start an environmental project in Greenhithe can get help and advice from us. Our beautiful coast, reserves and bush areas need looking after, and together we can make a difference.
Find out about our weekly volunteer mornings on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the reserves and upcoming events below.
Greenhithe Community Trust Youth has taken on an eco theme. Taylor Devonshire is building a youth community in the great outdoors. Follow her on insta or FB to see the latest workshops and projects.
Mainly Music Mainly Music is 9:30am every Monday during school term time in the hall at 12 Greenhithe Road. Shore Grace Church provides Mainly Music in Greenhithe, with facilitator support from Greenhithe Community trust. Sessions are open to all families with preschoolers for some fun with their little ones and connection with others at the same stage of life.
It costs $5 per family per session.
The International Friends Group meets Tuesday mornings 09:30 am at No.12 Greenhithe Rd. This is a community space. All cultures, ages and interests are welcome for friendship and fun.
Men are welcome too! Majong and chess are available. New ideas are welcome.
For more info contact Suzanne on gctsuzanne@gmail.com
This group is generously sponsored by Annie Yong-Mewburn and Sarah Benbow of Greenhithe Barfoot and Thompson.
Fabulous Friday is held fortnightly in the community hall at 12 Greenhithe Road. Thanks Lynda for facilitating these lovely gatherings. Contact Michelle on breathnspace@gmail.com for more details. People over 65 are welcome to have a cuppa, a chat with friends, a manicure or pedicure … just for fun and relaxation.
Diana Castaneira holds a weekly Plunket Coffee Group for parents or caregivers of children aged from one month to two years.
The chapel venue at 12 Greenhithe Road is clean and comfortable with space for parents to sit and spread out mats, toys and swings for babies.
There is laughter and conversation over morning tea. Sometimes occasions are celebrated such as Easter, Matariki, Christmas and Mother’s/Father’s Days.
The Plunket Coffee Group is held every Friday from 9.30 to 11.30am. Contact Diana on gctcoffeegroup@gmail.com
Every street in Greenhithe is encouraged to gather together for a street BBQ over summer. The purpose is to have fun getting to know your neighbours.
The first 20 streets to sign up receive a $50 Pak and Sav voucher to go toward the event (serviettes, tomato sauce, paper plates etc).
Each street (or part of street for those long streets) can pick a time from October to March. Then it can be as simple or complicated as you want it to be! eg meet in a culdesac or empty section and the odd numbers bring a dessert, the even numbers bring a salad and everyone brings their own meat and drink. EASY PEASY!
Here are 3 cool things you could discuss at your street BBQ-
1. Neighbourhood Support – do you know your immediate neighbors and know how to contact them if there was an emergency?
2. Civil Defence – have you got a simple family plan and a simple home disaster kit and do you know the local resources around you (water tanks, chain saws)
3. Love Your Environment – How about a street/gully/beach cleanup? (Pick a date to clean up litter and weeds) Plant some natives?
Help your neighbour in their garden? Share plants?
Plant some veges, inspire a child?
Do some composting? Think about sustainable living?
Trap some pests?
If you would like to get more involved in Neighborhood Support, you could contact Suzanne on gctsuzanne@gmail.com
If you would like you get more involved in environmental care you could contact Nicola the Greenhithe Eco Facilitator on gctnicola@gmail.com
View web page here
Hi Greenhithe I’m Suzanne and I am engaged by the Greenhithe Community Trust to boost Neighbourhood Support here.
We facilitate our wonderful Street Contacts. They pass on information to their street and encourage occasional street gatherings to discuss street issues especially security. 70 parts of streets have Street Contacts here but more are needed.
We also facilitate International Friends for newcomers every Tuesday mornings at No.12 Greenhithe Road.
Together we work towards a vibrant caring community. It’s a great way to meet people and it’s fun too!
If you are interested in being a Street Contact or have some great ideas about neighbourliness , you can contact me at gctsuzanne@gmail.com
We are grateful to Neighbourhood Support NZ and COGS for generous grants toward Neighbourhood Support Facilitator hours.
Why do we have these groups?
-To strengthen community spirit
-To provide a means for residents to meet and develop a caring and secure environment for everyone
-To prevent the occurrence of crime in the neighbourhood
– To provide a common voice on dealing with local issues such as rubbish, traffic problems, graffiti, street lighting etc.
– To better deal with and survive civil emergencies
How does it work? – It’s all about being a great neighbour!
-Welcoming new neighbours as they move in and inviting them to join the group
– Responding to and reporting suspicious behaviour to the Police first and also to each other
– Employing sensible security habits
– Looking out for each other
– Being prepared for civil emergencies
– Making a special effort to include those who may feel isolated eg new kiwis with English as a second language or the elderly
What is involved?
You will be glad to know it is not about endless meetings or setting up committees! It is very informal, casual and fun. Someone in your street volunteers to be Street Contact and collects everyone’s details to make a street directory and then registers the group. After that do what works best for your street to encourage everyone to keep connected and be a great neighbour.
An annual Know Your Street BBQ is a great idea. Pick up a free $50 supermarket voucher from me between September and March each year to supply your event, invite the neighbours and have fun!
You can find out more about Neighbourhood Support New Zealand here www.ns.org.nz
If you are interested in joining please contact Suzanne by email at gctsuzanne@gmail.com