Community Development
Our aim is to support change that creates a just and fair society.
We do this by working with community groups, marae, individuals, and organisations to turn ideas, big or small, into reality.
Responding to your needs & hopes
Community development is collectively bringing about change in response to your community's needs and hopes - and being supported as you do so.
Change can be achieved through an event or an activity, through a simple initiative or a large-scale project. Our team will do whatever we can to help you bring about changes that make our place, Te Taitokerau, a better place to live.
So drop in for a cup of tea with us and share your dreams.
The various facets of 155 are a result of our Community Development work, while many other projects we’ve been involved in continue to run independently.
Marae funding and governance support
The relationships between marae and 155 is reciprocal and nurturing for all. Those relationships are a reflection of our commitment to hapū under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
We have supported marae including Te Puawaitanga Marae Otangarei, Mokau Marae, and Tau Henare Marae in securing and raising funds to build wharekai, wharehui, whareiti, and cyber-whare rooms.
Do you have an idea for your community or marae?
- Does it contribute to building a just society?
- Do you have someone other than 155 prepared to lead it?
- Are there others who want to contribute and join with the plan or idea?
Some of our successful independent projects
Youth Housing Project
We are leading a community project to plan and develop housing solutions for taitamariki across Whangārei facing homelessness.
The project is funded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) and is supported by Whangarei Youth Space, Te Ora Hou, Ngati Hine Hauora, Pehiaweri Marae, Northland Urban Rural Mission and Mahitahi Hauora.
Māmā Moving Mountains
This is a 155 community project working with Whangārei mothers to tap into their business-building dreams and aspirations.
The objective is to lift mothers out of poverty by looking at their dreams, aspirations and desires, then supporting them with the resources to make it a reality.
Taitokerau Emergency Housing
155 was charged with developing this project by Whangārei Community Networkers who formed the WEAR group (Whangārei Emergency Accommodation Response).
We undertook research, set up the first house at Mair Street, negotiated the use of the Aotea Motel and approached local churches to form a trust.
Today, TEH is the specialist provider of temporary emergency accommodation in Whangārei.
Channel North
Channel North aims to strengthen the media industry in Northland.
It began in 2004, based out of 155, by letting out high-definition film equipment to the community for a koha, and soon evolved into a training ground for film-making, where film interns and school students could train and spend time at the station.
Television services have been offered since 2008 and video production services since 2013.
It relaunched in November 2020 as Channel Northland Te Raki TV, a public access online television platform for Northland.
Parihaka Waka Ama compound
Waka ama (outrigger canoeing) started as an activity for our taitamariki. We built a compound at Kissing Point, Terenga Paraoa (Whangārei Harbour) to house the waka ama and use the nearby boat ramp.
It is now operated by Parihaka Waka Ama Inc and continues to provide recreational opportunities for young and old, including ‘social’ paddler nights, an annual business house regatta and opportunities for members to compete in national and international waka ama races.
Otangarei's Hauora Clinic
In the heart of the Otangarei shopping centre, the Hauroa Centre assists whānau to achieve their wellness goals, in partnership with the community.
Timatanga Rangimarie | Otangarei Youth
This is a project that was started by young people with advice from their elders, and they purposely sought out businesses to help them with resources, and local government in order to get leverage to meet their aims.
Young people meet together each week to make decisions that help themselves and the Otangarei community, working on planned projects and generating new ideas.
