Wairarapa Safer Community Trust

08/06/2026

You may recall our Club recently visited and enjoyed a meal with our neighbours at Carterton Lions.
We had a great evening competing against each other in bowls, pool and darts.
Greytown slithered past on points, a miracle really, to take the evening contest.
And you may recall that our beloved neighbouring club had 'mislaid' the coveted Harry Gray trophy and were unable to hand it over. No intent .. it was still at the engravers .. for a year .. oops.
And, they came through at our recent meeting where Carterton President Craig Cherry seemed delighted to present 1stVP Richard Vidulich with the intriguing statuette.
We will be needing to get some practice in to defend the event again next year I am thinking.

07/06/2026

With Autism Wairarapa Charitable Trust – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

02/06/2026

Congratulations to Matua Mike Kawana, who has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.

This honour recognises Mike's nearly 25 years of service to the Wairarapa community, including his significant contribution to teaching te reo Māori and his dedication to supporting Māori and the wider community.

Since joining UCOL in 2018, Mike has enriched our Wairarapa campus and organisation through his leadership, knowledge, and passion for te reo Māori and te ao Māori. He has inspired countless ākonga and kaimahi, helping strengthen cultural understanding and connection across our communities.

This recognition reflects the lasting impact Mike has made in the Wairarapa and beyond.

We are incredibly proud to have Mike as part of the UCOL whānau and extend our heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved achievement.

Read more about Mike's award here
https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/lists/kb2026-mnzm

Photo from left: Kaikookiri Te Mana Tauira (Wairarapa) Riki Anderson with Matua Mike Kawana, MNZM

01/06/2026

Actual Factual Friday 😁

Woop woop - long weekend

Here's what you need to know about what's happening in our Super Store 😁

👌 Sports gear:
Football boots
Tennis racquets
Weights
Golf clubs

👌 Exercise clothing
👌 Lingerie and underwear
👌 Swimwear
👌 Extra kids clothing racks

📚 Books galore!
Dilly Court collection
Anita Shreve collection

👌 Loads of glass jars
👌 Storage containers
👌 Gorgeous array of handbags

👍 Coming soon...
Formal wear rack next week

💡 THERE'S LIGHTING IN
THE CHANGING ROOMS!

So, Hospice Shop Friends, let your friends and family know about our destination store if they are visiting our region this weekend.
We get told a lot about how proud you are to tell out of town family about us and we appreciate you!!

That's all from me tonight - stay warm and we hope to see you soon 🧡💙

Long weekend opening hours are brought to you by my little darlings, Nala and Dolly 😃
(kittens not for sale 🙅🏼‍♀️😜)

X

01/06/2026

So you can put this into your diary !

01/06/2026

See The Person 👨‍👨‍👦‍👦👨‍👦

Epilepsy is more than just a medical condition; it's a part of life that can touch not only the person living with it but also their family, friends, and partners. It's important to remember that while epilepsy may bring challenges, it does not define the person you love. They are still the same wonderful individual they were before the diagnosis, with dreams, talents, and a unique personality.

01/06/2026

We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate Mr Dean Rangihuna (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hei), who has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his incredible services to Māori mental health and addiction services. 🎖️

For more than three decades, Dean has been a fierce advocate. His journey from local grassroots advocacy to national leadership has shifted the landscape of mental health in Aotearoa.

Currently serving as Te Kaihapai Māori Lived Experience Principal Advisor for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Hauora Māori Service, Dean has dedicated his life to ensuring whānau are treated with dignity and care.

Look at just a snapshot of his impact:

National system change: Served on two large government inquiries - He Ara Oranga (Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry) in 2018, and the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care (2020-2023).

Trauma-informed care: Contributed to the Safe Practice Effective Communication Training program - ensuring person-centred, trauma-informed, and least-restrictive practices across national Health New Zealand inpatient services.

Spent decades working alongside Canterbury DHB, the Ministry of Health, HQSC, Te Pou, Pathways, Te Rau Ora, and many others to uplift Māori voices.

Dean, your unwavering commitment to hauora Māori has paved the way for change across Aotearoa. This honor is so richly deserved.

Thank you for your tireless mahi and your leadership. 🖤❤️🤍

01/06/2026

It's one week until Hope is a Shovel! Join Nadine Hura, Ricky Utting, and Cameron McCausland-Taylor at the library next Sunday 7 June at 1pm, for two workshops exploring climate action, collective response, and most importantly, hope! 🌏🌏🌏

This event is brought to you by Carterton Library, Wairarapa Word, Bridget Williams Books - BWB, Almo's Books, and Carterton District Council.

04/11/2025