The Papakura Community Network meeting on November 5th, 2025, provided a wealth of information about the important work happening in our area, with contributions from various community leaders, including Rotary's own Lloyd Williams.
Tackling Homelessness: A New Approach
Ian Leader from Local Works presented an insightful discussion on the topic of 'Rough Sleepers on Campus'. Ian introduced his company as a blend of social innovation and social entrepreneurship, which previously helped AUT manage challenges with rough sleepers by partnering with LifeWise.
He shared his experience addressing homeless people issues, emphasizing the success of a "cafe culture" model rather than a traditional soup kitchen approach. This model fostered success at AUT and included elements like a healthy high school environment, a "Happy Back Street" concept, and an experience in the UK mentoring program.
Neil Punja from the Papakura Business Association added that while rough sleeping is only about 5% of the homeless population, it is much more visible. He stressed the importance of respectful dialogue, stating that his "biggest safeguard is the way you talk to people". Mr. Punja also briefly spoke about work related to these issues in the Manurewa and Clendon areas. The discussion highlighted the role of Lifewise, which provides support via Methodist-based organisations.
Sustainable Community and Resilience
Rosemary Nash shared updates from Sustainable Papakura and the Community Resilience Network. She reminded attendees to practice "conscious consumption," encouraging everyone to think about where items originate, whether resources are sustainable, and whether items are reusable or renewable. She also encouraged the community to "shop local".
For the Community Resilience Network, her focus was on managing emergency situations, particularly regarding flooding information.
Upcoming Community Events & Initiatives
Rosemary Nash reminded the group about the Papakura Community Network's next meeting, which is their Christmas event on Wednesday, December 3rd, at the Redhill Community Centre from 9:30 am. The event will also feature the launch of the 'Your Papakura' website. A special request was made to bring along an unwrapped gift, valued under $20, which will be collected by Kootuitui and distributed to rangatahi (young people) aged 14–18 years. She also asked attendees to bring a homemade recyclable decoration for the trees at the function.
Papakura Rotary in Action
Lloyd Williams shared details about the Papakura Christmas Festival and Santa Parade , which will take place on Sunday, November 23rd, from 11 am to 4 pm at Bruce Pulman Park. So far, there are 31 floats and 22 community stalls, with no charge for stall holders. Funds raised from Rotary activities are used to fund 8–10 scholarships per year.
🤖 Upcoming: AI Workshop at Takaanini Library
For those interested in technology and upskilling, an exciting opportunity is just around the corner: an AI workshop to be held on Tuesday, November 18th at the Takaanini Library.
This course is reportedly nearly full, so final bookings were being taken today (November 5th). The workshop encourages a hands-on approach, as attendees are reminded to bring their phone, laptop, and questions.
What is the AI Workshop?
Based on information from Auckland Libraries, this beginner-friendly workshop is designed to introduce the public to the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence.
It aims to cover what AI is and how to interact with it.
Attendees will learn about popular AI technology and how AI is becoming increasingly embedded in our daily lives.
The class will also focus on how AI can be used ethically.
By gaining an understanding of AI, the workshop seeks to provide an important skill for navigating the modern internet.
This session offers a chance to explore how AI can be used for smarter study, work, and everyday tasks, giving community members a clear view of what’s possible with the tools of tomorrow.