Stronger Waitaki

28/05/2026

Tonight’s the night team!

No need to RSVP, just head down to Oamaru Pacific Island Trust on Ribble Street ⭐️

25/05/2026

Final reminder - M**h harm kōrero in Ōamaru this Thursday!

We’ve got two opportunities this week to hear from Peter Thorburn (MESS NZ), who will be in Ōamaru leading open, honest conversations about m**h and its impacts.

Details for both sessions:
📅 Thursday 28 May
📍 Ōamaru Pacific Island Trust, 22 Ribble Street
💲 Free

For young people (16–20 years)
A space for real talk about m**h, what it can do to you and the people around you, and to ask the questions that don’t always get answered properly. No judgement, just straight conversation.
🕓 4.00–5.30pm
🍪 Afternoon tea provided

For the wider community
An honest, evidence-based kōrero about m**hamphetamine and its impacts, with time for open discussion in a community-led, agency-free environment. A chance to better understand what m**h is, how it affects people and communities, and to hear clear, practical insights.
🕖 7.00–8.30pm
🥣 Light supper provided

Everyone is welcome. Please share with your networks and bring someone along!

21/05/2026

Community kōrero about m**h harm – coming up next week.

Peter Thorburn (MESS NZ) will be in Ōamaru next week for an open conversation about m**h and its impacts.

If you’ve ever felt unsure how to respond or support someone, this is a chance to hear practical, grounded insights in a no-pressure space.

🕖 7.00–8.30pm
📅 Thursday 28 May
📍 Ōamaru Pacific Island Trust
💲 Free
🥣 Light supper provided

20/05/2026

The Support Finder is now live! If you know of services that are missing please get in touch, it’s a work in progress ⭐️

https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Support

💪: Stronger Waitaki's one-stop support shop

Finding help in Waitaki has just become easier, with the launch of the Stronger Waitaki Support Finder — a new online tool designed to connect residents and whānau with the support they need, when they need it most.

The interactive tool brings together information on housing, health, finances, food, and social support, making it simpler for individuals and families to find the right help quickly and easily. Developed through a partnership between Stronger Waitaki and Health New Zealand, the Support Finder is a key outcome of the Waitaki Health Futures Project, Te Waka Hauora o Waitaki.

Ali McIntyre, Community and Stronger Waitaki Lead, says the new tool responds directly to a clear need in the community.

“We know there is already a wide range of support available across Waitaki, but it can sometimes be difficult for people to find or navigate,” says McIntyre.

“The Support Finder brings that information together in one place, so people can quickly see what is available and how to access it.”

The Support Finder has been built to be practical and easy to use, with straightforward information about what each service offers and who may be eligible. The platform will continue to grow over time, with additional services and updated information added as community use and feedback increase.

“This is just the beginning,” says McIntyre. “We will keep building on the Support Finder, adding services and refining the information so it remains current and useful for our community. We also know there will be services we have not captured yet.”

Community groups, organisations, and service providers who would like to be included in the Support Finder are encouraged to get in touch with Stronger Waitaki at [email protected].

Residents, whānau, and community organisations are encouraged to explore the Support Finder and share it widely across their networks.

The Stronger Waitaki Support Finder is now live and available at: https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Support

20/05/2026

For young people: a real talk about m**h and the harm it causes.

We’ve got a session coming up with Peter Thorburn (MESS NZ) for 16–20 year olds.

It’s a space to talk honestly about m**h, what it can do to you and the people around you, and to ask the questions that don’t always get answered properly.

No judgement, just straight conversation.

📅 Thursday 28 May
🕓 4.00–5.30pm
📍 Ōamaru Pacific Island Trust
💲 Free
🍪 Afternoon tea provided

18/05/2026

Stronger Waitaki is bringing Peter Thorburn to Ōamaru 🎉

M**h harm is som**hing some in our community are navigating, whether personally, within whānau, or through our work and having the space to talk and learn together is so important!

Peter from MESS NZ will be in Ōamaru on Thursday 28 May, with two sessions open to the community:

Rangatahi workshop (16–20 years)
🕓 4.00–5.30pm
A space for young people to have real kōrero about m**h, understand the impacts, ask questions, and talk through choices in a no judgement environment.
🍪 Afternoon tea provided

Community session
🕖 7.00–8.30pm
An open, honest conversation about m**hamphetamine, harm, and how we support safety and wellbeing around the people we care about.
🥣 Light supper provided

📍 Ōamaru Pacific Island Trust, 26 Ribble Street
💲 Both sessions are free

If this is som**hing you’re navigating, or som**hing you’re seeing in your work or community, these are sessions worth being in the room for! For any questions, please email us at [email protected].

20/03/2026

Wise words from our friends at Te Hā o Maru. Look after yourselves whānau 🧡

He moana pukepuke e ekekia e te waka - Rough seas can be navigated by a resilient waka.

It has been a time of particular struggle for our hapori. Many of us are feeling the impact of an uncertain political climate and conflicts overseas, which are affecting our day-to-day lives. Alongside this, there has been a lot of loss within our whānau and wider community, as well as traumatic events on our roads.

The whānau at Te Hā o Maru and our partners have supports and resources available to help through the trying times - check out the link to the Stronger Waitaki community directories & numbers for national helplines below.

Kia kāwari koutou i a koutou.

🍃WAITAKI COMMUNITY DIRECTORIES🍃
https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Stronger-Waitaki/Directory?dlv_OC%20CL%20Public%20Business%20Directory%20Listing=(pageindex=17)

13/02/2026

🌴 YOU’RE INVITED 🌴

🌸 Join us for a day of fun, family, and health at the Oamaru Pacific Island Trust Health & Wellness Expo!

Bring the whole family along for an exciting day of games and wellness. FREE entry, kids’ games, open volleyball, spot prizes, a tasty sausage sizzle, and many more indoor activities 🏐🎉🌭

While you’re enjoying the fun, connect with local health providers offering cervical screening, immunisations, heart and stroke support, paediatric services, eczema advice, and more. Your health matters, and we’re making it easy, welcoming, and community-focused.

📅 Saturday 21 February
⏰ 10am–3pm
📍 Waitaki Community Recreation Centre

Come for the fun, stay for the wellness. We can’t wait to see you there! 🙌🏼🌴

05/02/2026

30/01/2026

📜: Programme launched for Waitangi Day Commemoration

This Waitangi Day, Te Rūnanga o Moeraki and Waitaki District Council are partnering to deliver a day of educative talks, exploring the history of our District, and activities for the kids.

Talks about the historic Kemps Purchase, Maori Rock Art in the District, Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, placenames in the Waitaki District, and a visit to the Willets Collection at the Waitaki Museum will take place in three sessions between 10am and 3pm.

You can download the programme here, or from the link in comments:https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/files/content/public/v/5/news/registrations-open-to-commemorate-waitangi-day-in-%C5%8Damaru/waitangi-day-commemorations-programme.pdf

There will be a hangi lunch at midday.

To register, contact the Waitaki District Council on 03 433 0300 or email [email protected]. Attending the sessions is free, but the hangi will cost $15 per person.