Raglan Naturally Community Trust has supported the establishment of the Whāingaroa Community Response Group.

Local Civil Defence Community Response Groups are volunteer networks established to help communities coordinate and provide support before, during and after an emergency.

In 2025 there was a great community response to the call out for volunteers to participate. Supported with specialist advice from Waikato District Council Emergency Management Team, the WCRG has secured a home base and basic resources – including a generator, hand-held radios, and emergency resource wheelie bins.

Well prepared, the WCRG is able to activate and manage a community welfare response for 3 days – a place to get information and reassurance, have a hot drink and something to eat, charge phones and get warm.

The WCRG also have a longer term aim of helping the community become self-prepared and resilient. 

If you’re interested in joining the group or want to learn more contact Gareth – garethdjbellamy@gmail.com