neighbours aotearoa

Making connections in your neighbourhood

Connect with your neighbours

Thanks to the Waiheke Local Board, we are supporting community groups and individuals to host events that introduce or reconnect people to their neighbours and local spaces.

With a sustainable spin, of course.

Whether you’re thinking of throwing a Zero Waste street party, hosting a vegan picnic, running a mending workshop, having a meet-the-chickens afternoon, doing a plum ice cream-making workshop with foraged fruit, or organising a clothes swap, we’d love to hear from you!

Grow a resilient and supportive community

2024’s theme is Growing Together, because everyone should have opportunities and resources to participate in their community.

We believe that every neighbour has something to share – whether it is a story, a skill, or a resource like kai, tools or clothes.

Let’s support each other to create a flourishing, inclusive and resilient community together. Knowing who your neighbours are is a great start to being prepared in case of emergencies.

Be part of a bigger movement

Neighbours Aotearoa is a community development initiative dedicated to growing, connecting and strengthening neighbourhoods across the country.

On Waiheke, events are a special feature of EcoFest, a regional sustainability festival celebrated across Tāmaki Makaurau.

By forging positive connections with your neighbours during EcoFest, you will help to create friendlier, safer communities that foster a sense of belonging and support year-round actions.

Run a funded event

WRT is delighted to once again be responsible for redistributing Waiheke Local Board funding and supporting community building through this year’s Neighbours Aotearoa.

We are offering a contribution of up to $400 per community engagement event for Waihekeians to enjoy. Until 16 Feb, we invite proposals for events that take place between 15 – 31 March 2024, and will prioritise making sure that each suburb has at least one funded event.

get in touch

Support on offer for events

We encourage everybody to come together, share ideas, learn, and activate your street or neighbourhood.

WRT’s Zero Waste Manager is available to advise on how to reduce waste at your event.
Waiheke Local Board can provide printing support for your event, and so can WRT.
Any 15 – 31 March events can be registered as an EcoFest event and will be shared on our digital platforms – so tell us about them!

The Neighbours Aotearoa website also has plenty of resources to inspire and help you with your event.

get kitted up