Council celebrates community connectedness at Christmas

Seasonal fruit, Christmas mince pies and a side-serving of positive reflection were on the menu for the Mayoral Morning Tea, Monday 8 December. This event celebrates another year in the life of Together Hurunui - part of Council’s Community Partnership offering.

Representatives from across the community wellbeing spectrum, including NZ Police, Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Internal Affairs were on-hand to hear about the amazing work they’d helped support in 2025. MainPower was also present to receive specific thanks from Mayor Marie Black, not only for their sponsorship of the MainPower Pantry, but also for their exemplary efforts in keeping the lights on, during the October adverse weather events.

Also thanked during the Morning Tea were the countless volunteers within the Hurunui District, recognised for giving their time, energy and hearts, without expecting anything in return. Mayor Black continued, “You are a quiet force that keeps our communities strong. Your mahi often sits at the centre of people’s most vulnerable moments. Thank you for your professionalism, kindness, resilience and the dignity you offer every person who comes to you for help.

Organiser Natalie Paterson delivered a year-in-review to the assembled guests with focus on the continued success of the Food in Schools programmes; hui focused on family harm, alcohol and drug harm and poverty; and mental health with use of the Next Steps website increasing exponentially month on month.

It was a day of sadness too, as Hurunui District Council farewells Rhea Duffy, Manager of the Community Partnerships team, whose vision, care and passion for positive outcomes has helped shape the future, not only of Council’s Community Team, but also the District through initiatives like the recent Stronger Hurunui survey.

Mayor Black summed up this contribution with Rhea’s own words. “We don’t build roads – we build trust. We don’t pour concrete – we strengthen foundations. We try to ensure no-one slips through the cracks; during, before or after. We work in the space in-between, and this is the space where resilience lives.”

Together Hurunui will step strongly into 2026 with a solid workplan, including wellbeing expos, a neuro-diverse parenting workshop, stakeholder huis and the annual Farmers Breakfast alongside Rural Support Trust, to build increased resilience across the District.