Community Development
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Our 'Why'
Our Approach
Our Priorities
At Te Toi Mahana, we are driven by a holistic vision of tenant well-being, understanding that housing is merely the initial step toward a fulfilling and healthy life.
Our Community Development Team is dedicated to fostering vibrant communities through collaborative, community-led approaches and engagement with key partners.
We believe in supporting tenant communities to shape their own environments and activities, cultivating a sense of belonging and connectedness.
Through initiatives in our community rooms, gardens, and communal spaces, we prioritise building strong relationships with tenants, amplifying their voices, and nurturing social cohesion.
Our Community Development Team is committed to addressing the pressing needs identified by our communities across Pōneke, focusing on two primary themes: kai resilience and youth development initiatives.
01
Youth Development
Collaborating with play activation specialists, the libraries team, and local youth organisations, we facilitate new activities and opportunities for youth involvement.
An exciting partnership with Victoria University of Wellington has recently commenced, focusing on a placemaking codesign project involving youth from one of our housing communities in Miramar. This innovative approach not only engages youth in shaping their environments but also contributes valuable insights to research conducted by the university. Our team plays a vital role in facilitating this project, ensuring its relevance and applicability across our communities, particularly as we undertake property upgrades and new developments.
02
Kai Resilience
Recognising the importance of food security and sustainability, we prioritise initiatives that strengthen kai resilience within our communities. Through collaborative efforts with local partners and stakeholders, we aim to promote access to nutritious food, support community gardens, and assist residents to cultivate self-sufficiency.
Our community partners lead engaging garden workshops, guiding participants from seed planting through to harvesting and the preparation of nutritious, cost-effective meals. Tenants are actively contributing to the implementation of two innovative kai resilience projects: a community compost hub and a māra kai (utilising hua parakore, traditional Māori methods of kai cultivation) for a newly established community garden. Otago University is presently conducting research on the well-being benefits experienced by tenants involved with the māra kai.
Additionally, the compost hub and māra kai initiatives have received community funding to support three tenant apprenticeships through a local community group.