Whakamarama Community Centre

12/04/2026

And we are out !

Special thanks to 🧡my sister and kids🧡, the 🌟community hall committee 🌟that supported the activation and my favourite team member, my wife. 🌟👀🤗

It was done and wrapped by 8.30 this morning. Just a hot mop left and it’s back to the wonderful warm and welcoming facility that it was gifted to the community to be.

I hope clean up and muck in efforts are not too arduous and we look forward to our next event as a community.

12/04/2026

As we come to the close of today’s 🧡 Aroha in Action🧡 response, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who showed aroha and action in big and small ways across our community.

Today was about aroha and action in motion.

Aroha — checking in, caring for one another, and making sure our people were safe, warm, and connected.
Action — responding when needed, linking whānau to support, and moving together when thresholds of preparedness were reached.

From opening the Whakamārama Community Centre, to the quiet acts of kindness happening across our rohe — kai shared, calls made, rides offered, updates passed on — this is what collective strength looks like.

While the worst of the weather may now be passing, we know impacts can continue beyond the event itself.

We encourage everyone to:
- Keep checking in on neighbours, especially kaumātua and those without power
- Reach out if you need support — don’t wait
- Continue to share local updates so we stay connected and informed

🚨We are open and here able to support if you need it. We will be closing at 9am apopo. 🚨

🧡Together, we are stronger. Ngā manaakitanga🧡
The learning and testing of community led support was huge! Banking that for all and any future events that require community responses.

Suaree Borell - On behalf of Aroha in Action, Your Whakamārama Community Centre Emergency Response - Vaianu April 2026

11/04/2026

🧡 Aroha in Action is Active 🧡Your community centre is here if you need it :

This significant weather event will increase intensity over today. If you need support, connection and care we are here.

We have a system in place that can support you and your whānau if you need it. We are prepared and stronger together e te whānau.

🚨Follow all the advice:🚨

Tie everything down
Make a plan
Act early
Planning based on WHEN not IF

We have a kai plan covering breakfast and dinner only, (water and snacks) and the mean as board games.

Bring your essentials, a team spirit and some tissues for the board games you won’t win … 😜

10/04/2026

🧡 Aroha in Action - Whakamārama Community Centre 🧡

The Whakamārama Community Centre will be open and active from 10am, Sunday 12th April, 2026.

We will post updates every hour from 12 noon on Sunday.

This is our local response — grounded in care, connection, and collective strength.

Aroha in Action is about:
• Aroha: checking in on our people, especially kaumātua, whānau without power, young families, and those who may need extra support.
• Action: linking people to what they need;information, kai, warmth, and services as the storm impacts unfold.

This is about increasing preparation, not panic. Small, steady steps. Looking out for each other. Staying connected. When your threshold of preparedness is breached, we are here and will move together.

This space will be:
• A safe, warm place if you need support.
• A connection hub for updates, essentials (kai/wai), and check-ins.
• A community base to coordinate help and respond together.

If you need to come to the hall, please bring (if you can):

• Warm clothing and blankets
• Any essential medications
• Baby supplies (nappies, formula, wipes)
• A water bottle and any personal kai
• Phone and charger (power may be limited)
• Torch or headlamp
• Items for comfort (especially for tamariki)
If you can’t bring these, still come. You are welcome.

🧡How you can help🧡

If you would like to support or help this Sunday, please feel free to attend our online meeting at 10am tomorrow. To get the link or for more info, please message or contact:
Suaree Borell
📞 021 570 554
📧 [email protected]

🧡 Together, we prepare. Together, we respond. 🧡

10/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1269213455358778&set=a.259519056328228&type=3

Hi Bay of Plenty – this is a longer post, but it contains important information ahead of the severe weather forecast for this weekend. It’s understandable that some people may be feeling unsettled, so we’re sharing what you need to know to help you prepare and where to find official, trusted updates.

Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to bring strong winds, heavy rain and large swells to the Bay of Plenty. This storm has the potential to be a significant and damaging weather event. With more rain expected on already saturated ground, impacts such as fallen trees, landslides, surface flooding, and dangerous river, sea and coastal conditions are likely.

What you can do now to prepare:
🔸 Bring inside or secure anything that could be blown around in strong winds. Turn trampolines upside down and tie them down firmly.
🔸 Clear leaves and debris from gutters and drains, if it is safe to do so.
🔸 If you live in an exposed area, don’t feel safe at home, or are worried, consider relocating early to stay with family or friends in a safer place. Leaving early is safer than travelling during severe conditions. Take pets and essential medication with you.
🔸 Check on neighbours, especially anyone elderly, isolated, or without communications.
🔸 Prepare a grab bag and emergency supplies.
🔸 Have torches ready and a battery or solar powered radio so you can receive updates if power is lost.

📰 Where to get trusted information:
Your local councils (who are also part of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group) are the first port of call for local information (like roading impacts, sand bag information).

Tauranga City Council
Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Rotorua Lakes Council
Te Kaunihera ā-rohe o Whakatāne - Whakatāne District Council
Te Kaunihera ā rohe o Kawerau - Kawerau District Council
Ōpōtiki District Council

For weather warnings and forecasts, visit MetService - www.metservice.com
Check NZTA https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner or NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Waikato & Bay of Plenty for the latest on BOP state highway conditions

📻 Emergency radio stations
If there is a civil defence emergency, listen to your radio (battery, solar, or car radio if the power is out).

These stations will broadcast official information:
🔹Tauranga & Western Bay
National Radio 101.0 FM & 819 AM
Newstalk ZB 90.2FM & 1008 AM
The Hits 95 FM
Breeze 95.8 FM
More FM 93.4 FM
🔹Rotorua
National AM 1188
National FM 101.5
Concert 90.3
Newstalk ZB 747 AM
The Hits 97.5 FM & 90.9 FM
More FM 95.9 FM
🔹Te Puke
1XX 89.0 FM & 1242 AM
🔹Whakatāne
National Radio 101.7 FM
1XX 90.5 FM
SunFM 106.5
TumekeFM 96.9
🔹Edgecumbe, Ōpōtiki & Kawerau
1XX 90.5 FM
SunFM 106.5
TumekeFM 96.9
🔹Ōhope Beach
1XX 92.9 FM
SunFM 106.5
TumekeFM 96.9
🔹Te Teko, Tāneatua
SunFM 106.5
TumekeFM 96.9

We'll be here monitoring and responding to the severe weather and will keep you up-to-date with any changes.

Take care everyone, and stay safe ❤️

09/04/2026

Sharing this advise from the Council Emergency Response Team ahead of the weather that Cyclone Vaianu this weekend

We know it has been a challenging start to 2026, with several weather events already affecting our District, and that hearing about another system can feel unsettling for many people. Taking a few simple, practical steps now can help reduce stress and make a real difference if conditions worsen.



We’re encouraging people to:

• Secure or bring inside loose items such as trampolines, outdoor furniture, and bins

• If your property has been susceptible to flooding in the past, consider preparing sandbags early

• Charge phones and devices, and think about how you would manage if power or communications were disrupted

• Be aware of any landslide risk near your property, particularly if you live near steep slopes or areas affected by previous slips

• Avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain and never drive through floodwater

• Any issues, such as slips, flooding, blocked drains, can be reported to Council via 0800 926 732 or the Antenno app.



Given the amount of rain the District has experienced over recent weeks, there is an increased risk of slips and ground movement, including at sites previously affected. This risk can remain even as rainfall eases.



If you feel unsafe in your home, we encourage you to move early where possible, ideally to stay with friends, family, or whānau, and to take pets and essential items such as medications with you.



People should also take care when travelling. Roads may remain slippery, and slips or debris can occur with little warning. Streams and rivers can continue to rise after heavy rain — if you notice water levels increasing, don’t wait; move to higher ground and stay well clear of floodwater.

We also encourage people to check in on neighbours, friends, and whānau if they can — sometimes a simple phone call or text is just what someone needs during times like this.

19/03/2026

Kia ora koutou 🧡

We’ve updated our constitution to align with the new Incorporated Societies Act requirements. This is something all community groups need to do — but we’ve also taken the opportunity to make sure it genuinely reflects who we are as a Whakamārama community. This isn’t about making things complicated — it’s about making sure:
✨ the Centre is set up properly
✨ we’re legally protected
✨ and we’ve got a strong foundation going forward
We’ve already done the groundwork — this is about confirming it together. On the night, we’ll:
walk through the updated constitution (in plain language)
use a simple checklist to confirm everything required is in there
make sure everyone is comfortable before we adopt it

23/02/2026

Whakamarama School PTA have their Mini Golf Fundraiser ths Friday.

05/12/2025

We are ready to open our doors tomorrow morning for our market and open day. Come along and sign our guest book as we celebrate 50 years

30/11/2025

🎉 Whakamarama Community Centre Open Day & Market! 🎉
Saturday, 5 December • 10am–2pm

We’d love to see you there! Come along, explore the market stalls, meet our local makers and community groups, and take a wander through the Community Centre as we celebrate everything that makes Whakamarama special.

This is also a great chance to find out more about becoming part of our Community Emergency Hub — learn how you can help our community stay connected and prepared.

Bring the whānau, grab a bite to eat, connect with your neighbours, and enjoy a relaxed day out right here in our community.

✨ Everyone welcome — pop in and say hi!

28/11/2025

📢 Whakamarama Hall 50th Birthday Party – Cancelled

It’s with a heavy heart that we’ve had to cancel the Hall’s 50th Birthday Party due to low ticket sales. Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket—we really appreciate your support.

We’d love to see you instead at our Community Open Day on Saturday 6 December, 10am–2pm. Come learn about the Hall’s history, share your ideas for its future, browse the Kids Market & Local Trade Fair, chat with WBOPDC about the Community Emergency Hub, and grab a coffee from Archie’s Coffee Cart.

Thanks for understanding, and we hope to see you there. 💛