growing our strength together
Who we are.
As a community-led development organisation, Raglan Naturally Community Trust grows the collective strength of people and organisations across our community.
We know that progress won’t happen in silos – we’re more effective when we are connected and collaborative. By bringing people, opportunities and resources together, we help transform ideas into collective action which has lasting impacts and benefits for our community.
enabling the strategic vision for Whāingaroa Raglan
Community-wide collaboration.
As one of the holders of the strategic vision for Whāingaroa Raglan, we actively collaborative to enable community initiatives.
Our close connections, relationships and strategic positioning mean we are flexible and agile. This is reflected in how we work, and the outcomes we have been able to facilitate.
- We lead and coordinate in times of high community need where real-time responses are essential.
- We actively support the long-term vision of other key organisations and groups in our community.
- We act as an umbrella group, supporting others to bring their amazing ideas to life.
Actively enable.
We actively enable community flax-roots initiatives and support organisations to grow and flourish.
Listen, learn, reflect.
We listen, learn and reflect on what the community is telling us.
Invested.
We are invested in positive outcomes that benefit the many.
Te Tiriti-based Partnerships
Partnership in action.
When the community embarked on revitalising the Community Plan in 2018, it was recognised that the voice of iwi and hapū were missing. Since then the community has been actively working on our collective understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Raglan Naturally Community Trust is committed to building a strong organisation founded on Te Tiriti-based partnerships with iwi, hapū and our community.
The structure of the Raglan Naturally Community Trust reflects this commitment, with equal representation from our hapū and community.
Our Board members are passionate community advocates with a broad range of professional backgrounds, skills, experiences and flaxroots activation.
Hans Buwalda (Co-Chair)
Hans moved to Whāingaroa with his partner Lyn in 2017. He is also a Director at Xtreme Zero Waste. Hans is a self-employed environment, health and safety consultant. He previously worked as the Group Environment, Health and Safety Manager at Fletcher Building in Auckland. He has previously been a director at the NZ Green Building Council and the Eco-Labelling Trust. As a fitness fanatic, Hans enjoys the local opportunities for cycling and paddling, and is also a regular at The Space Yoga Studio. Most days start with a walk on the beach with Lyn and Charli, our velcro dog. Lyn and Hans have two adult daughters, both living overseas which means some long flights to get to see them.
Taruke Thomson (Co-Chair)
Taruke is the Ngāti Hourua representative on the Raglan Naturally Community Trust. Taruke is a hapū researcher and a farmer.
Michael Edmonds
Michael Whareiti Te Waru Edmonds is of Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Mahuta, Raukawa, Hauraki descent and was brought up by his maternal grandparents on Tūrangawaewae Marae. His years in Local Government, including serving as community and iwi partnership manager, paved the way for managing the care coordination hub on behalf of his whānau at Poihākena Marae. Continuing the mahi of his ancestors who aspired to run a hospital in their wharenui “Mahinārangi”, Mike and his team, in partnership with Raglan Medical, now offer regular clinics of integrated health and social services from marae across Te Tai Hau a Uru region (West Coast of the Waikato), to promote better health outcomes for rural and isolated communities.
Tony Oosten
Tony was elected to the Raglan Community Board for nine years. Tony was appointed a founding Trustee of Raglan Naturally Community Trust and has been the Trust’s Treasurer for the past six years. Tony is also currently is a Board member for Community Energy Whāingaroa and is Chair of the Raglan Town Hall Committee.
Eloise Deller
Eloise Deller is a community-focused project & operations manager, with experience in business management and community-led projects. She manages day-to-day operations at Raglan Refill and serves on the Raglan Community Board. Passionate about practical local solutions, Eloise is committed to supporting projects that strengthen connection, resilience, and participation across the Raglan community.
Jo Kukutai
Jo Kukutai is the Ngaati Maahanga representative on the Raglan Naturally Community Trust and Chair of the Ngaa Uri o Maahanga Trust Board. She is passionate about supporting a thriving Whaingaroa where the aspirations of mana whenua and community align. Through collaboration, relationship building, and a commitment to kaitiakitanga, Jo works towards outcomes that enhance the wellbeing of people, whenua, and wai for generations to come.
Sylvia Meti Hughes
More to come
Board Vacancy
More to come
Board Vacancy
More to come
always stronger together
Relationships.
Central to our work is building strong and enduring partnerships with iwi and hapū, our community, funders and other stakeholders. It is these partnerships and relationships that enable us to deepen our connections with each other to enable collaboration and collective progress.
We would love to hear from you.
Want to partner with us, have an idea, or just want to learn more?
