Supporting our community through rising costs
Over the past month, local people, groups and organisations have been coming together to share ideas on how we can support our community through rising fuel prices and ongoing cost of living pressures.
At the heart of this kōrero are the values that make Whāingaroa strong – manaakitanga (caring for one another), kaitiakitanga (looking after our environment and resources), and kotahitanga (working together).
By building on these strengths, we can do more than just get by. We can share resources, support each other, and find local solutions that reflect our community – rather than relying solely on outside help.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing updates, initiatives and practical tips from across the community to help support whānau.
There are also simple ways each of us can help. A quick check-in with a neighbour, sharing extra kai from the garden, or inviting someone over for a cuppa can make a real difference.
Don’t be shy, go say hi.
‘Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini’
My strength comes not from one but from the collective effort
Local Support and Services
If you need support, these local services are here to help.
Simple ways to ease the pressure
- 🚗 Combine trips and plan ahead
- 🍲 Cook in bulk and share meals
- 🥕 Swap food or supplies with neighbours
- 🤝 Check in on neighbours
- 📦 Use what you already have first
Stretching the Budget at Home
✔ Reduce power use where you can
✔ Cut back on hot water use
✔ Cook simple, low-cost meals
✔ Get budgeting support if you need it
⚡ Community Energy Whaingaroa – Energy Mentor
Julia is available for free, practical advice to help you understand your power bill and reduce unnecessary costs.
⚡ Home Energy Advice Drop In
Most Monday afternoons at Raglan Community House. No booking needed.
Community Energy Whaingaroa Website
Raglan Community House
Budgeting support, advice and community services for individuals and whānau. One-on-one support and workshops available. Koha Kai Wednesdays noon.
Whaingaroa Environment Centre Community Resilience
Supporting access to workshops, seeds, shared growing initiatives and community-led distribution.
Crop Swap
Share surplus produce and connect with others to reduce food waste and support local networks.
First and third Sunday of every month
Raglan Bowling Club, James St, Raglan.
Stay up to date with what’s happening across the community, and find simple ways to respond, support each other and make things go further.
Click the tabs to see further information.
Emergency Food
The Raglan Foodbank is available to support Raglan individuals and families who are facing a crisis and require assistance in the form of a food parcel.
If you or someone you know from the wider Raglan area requires assistance, please contact the Foodbank directly on 0278257543 or enquire through the Surfside Church office @ 34 Bow Street Raglan.
Aroha Free Food Pantries
These pantries are places to share abundance and take what you need. You will find one next to the Museum on Wainui Rd and others are at Waitetuna, Whale Bay, Greenslade Rd.
Looking ahead and wanting to grow your own vegetables?
- Free Seeds available at The Whāingaroa Environment Centre at the Town Hall on Bow St
- Wi Neera St Community Garden- a place to learn and share about food gardening 3-4.30pm every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
- Workshops: Check this space regularly https://www.whaingaroa.org.nz/events/
Top Tips to Share
(how to save on kai/easy meals for example)
- On average ⅓ of our purchased food goes to waste! Save on fuel and your grocery bill with top tips from Love Food Hate Waste. https://lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz
- Eat seasonally
- Buy fresh produce at Raglan Growers Market 5-7pm every Friday on Stewart Street
- Shop at Raglan Refill for bulk ingredients, at affordable prices
- Attend Crop Swap (check What’s On guide in back page of Raglan Chronicle)
- Accessing the community garden, Pataka Kai/Aroha stands in and around town.
- Connecting with neighbours to share/trade garden produce
- Buy in bulk with other whānau
Whaingaroa Community Fruit Harvest
Got fruit going to waste in your garden or orchard? We can help!
We collect and harvest unwanted or fallen fruit from private properties/orchards, then:
- Distribute it directly to people in need
- Or turn it into delicious jams and chutneys
If you’d like to donate fruit or get involved, get in touch:
📞 Jono – 021 488 766
Te Toi Ora ki Whaingaroa
Free access to a range of health and wellbeing services in partnership with Raglan Medical. All are welcome.
What’s available
- GP and nurse support
- Physiotherapy
- Mental health support
- General health checks and screening
If you are needing support with Health, Mental Health and Addictions and wellbeing, please feel free to walk in at the Health Hub 12 Wallis Street, from 9am or contact 0800 838 646 and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
It’s ok to Talk – on Raglan Radio 98.2 every Monday from 5.30pm discussing all things mental health and wellbeing, real talk and a safe space for people to listen, learn and feel supported. With Mike and Carissa.
Next Clinic Dates and Venues:
- Friday 24 April – Mai Uenuku ki te Whenua Marae, 319 Ohautira Road, Raglan
- Friday 8 May – Poihakena Marae, 220 Wainui Road, Raglan
- Friday 22 May – Mai Uenuku ki te Whenua Marae, 319 Ohautira Road, Raglan
- Friday 5 June – Poihakena Marae, 220 Wainui Road, Raglan
Additional Services with Raglan Medical can be found here: https://www.raglanmedical.co.nz/
Marae Outreach Clinic
10am – 2pm every second Friday with locations alternating between:
- Poihakena Marae, 220 Wainui Road, Raglan
- Mai Uenuku ki te Whenua Marae, 319 Ōhautira Road, Raglan
0800 838 646
Email: [email protected]
Raglan Community House – Manaaki Support
Raglan Community House is developing a series of workshops based on the Building Financial Capability Service Moneymates program:
- MoneyMates support groups are based around the concept of sharing and learning together as a group.
- Facilitators encourage group members to learn from others, get control over their financial lives, and build resilience.
What happens in a MoneyMates session?
Facilitators help the group to talk openly about money and finances (not necessarily about their own debt, but about choices, options and behaviours).
Together, over several weeks they can:
- learn more about getting control of debt, budgeting and cash flow, financial products, safer credit and growing their resources
- learn from other people who are in similar situations, share their own insights and knowledge and build support networks with people going through the same experiences
- access other information and support such as helplines and the Sorted website
- build up their networks with whānau and their community.
Other Services at Raglan Community House
- Free Financial assistance
- Low-Cost Counselling
- Justice of the Peace
- Tech Support
- Op Shop
- Drop-in lounge
- Health Shuttle
07 825 8142
45 Bow Street, Raglan
Energy – Community Energy Whāingaroa
There are many things we can do to minimise our home energy needs. Julia, our home energy mentor, provides free advice to help save energy and keep your home warm. She runs a weekly drop in clinics 12-3pm Mondays, at the Raglan Community House.
The team provide free Home Energy Checks, and eligible homes are given energy‑saving resources. Marae health clinics can also connect you with support.
Transport: Raglan Carpooling and EV database
Looking for ways to share costs for travel to and from work in Hamilton?
Check out Raglan Rideshare connecting you with others in our community who want to coordinate travel, share costs and you may make new friends. If you are wanting to register check out the information online Raglan Rideshare.
We have also set up a confidential EV database. If you are willing to be called upon to support others in our community who need to have access to doctors appointments, pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy or to do their shopping, then this could be just the opportunity for you. Find more information here Raglan Rideshare
Calculate how much your next bike or walk could save you in fuel costs. Did you know you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year by swapping your car for a sustainable mode of transport?
https://rideandsave.co.nz
Rates Rebate Waikato District Council
If you own your own home and are on a low income, you may be eligible for a partial discount on your rates bill.
The maximum rebate you can get is $805. You may be eligible for all or only part of this amount.
The amount is determined by your income, how many dependents you have, and how much your annual rates bill is.
The closing date for property rate rebates for the 2025/2026 financial year is 30 June 2026.
For more information you can drop into our council office at the library, call 0800 492 452 or go online here Rates rebates
Keep an eye out for our regular community updates which will include; Chronicle articles, interviews on Raglan Radio and information shared through our dedicated webpage Raglan Naturally Community Trust, under ‘Community Resilience Planning’.
If you have questions, ideas, or information to contribute, please email [email protected].
