The Whānau Assisi Service group would like to set up/get involved in a number of community projects with a community pantry (Pātaka Kai) and community library (whare pukapuka) being at the top of our list.

Kia ora koutou e te whānau

Pātaka Kai

Pātaka Kai is the Māori term for a food storehouse/pantry and is first on our list. 

You may have already observed community pantries and libraries in other suburbs and communities. The aim is to have a local food pantry to help people within our local community where you can take or leave food e.g. sharing excess produce from your garden, non-perishable tinned items etc. The underlying motto would be 'Take what you need and leave what you can'. 

 This pantry would be accessible at all times 24/7 and works on the premise of kindness (manaakitanga), care and respect (whakaute) with the hope that the community kindness is not mistreated. There is no donation (koha) required, form filling or criteria. It encourages the co-sharing between neighbours and strengthen communities and relationships (whanaungatanga) and those who wish to contribute may do so at their discretion when convenient.

In order for this to be successful, we need an air tight and weather proof cupboard/storage. 

Please see pics below for idea of what would work. If you have something you think would be suitable, we would be delighted to hear from you.

“Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi
With your basket and my basket we will sustain the people”

Whare Pukapuka

Our second project is a community library. Based on a similar principle of take what you want and leave what you can, community libraries are also becoming more popular in local communities. The idea is to have another air tight, weather proof cupboard (not necessarily as large as the pantry) that will allow free access to books; both adult and children literature. So instead of sending your used books to the op shop, they could go to this community library for others to enjoy. It is a free exchange, available 24/7 to encourage the love of reading amongst the community. 

Building communities and inspiring readers! This is a seperate library to the school library. If you feel you can help us with a suitable cupboard, please get in touch.

Ko e manu e kai ana i te miro nōnō te ngahere. 

Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōnā te ao. 

The bird that consumes the miro owns the forest the bird that consumes knowledge owns the world.