Investing in the places that brings us together

It’s easy to focus on the big things when we talk about community investment – roads, bridges, water and other essential infrastructure.

But sometimes it’s the smaller projects that tell us just as much about who we are as a community.

Recently, I had the pleasure of celebrating with two great examples – the new playground at the Waipara School and a new synthetic playing surface for the bowling green in Amberley.

At Waipara School, the excitement was infectious. The children were straight into the new playground, climbing, running, exploring and most importantly having fun.

For a rural school, a project like this is about much more than playground equipment. It creates a place where children can be active, build friendships and make memoires. It also reflects the efforts of a school community that has got behind an idea and made it happen.

In Amberley by contrast the new synthetic bowling green provides a different sort of playing field, but the purpose is remarkably similar – bringing people together.

Bowling is about the game, of course, but it also about friendships, conversation and having a place where people belong. The new green will provide greater reliability and help ensure the club remains an important part of the Amberley community for years to come.

These projects are a great reminder that – strong communities don’t just happen – people build them.

That is something I see right across the Hurunui, it is community groups identifying what their town needs and then getting on with the job.

That spirit is one of our strengths as it sits comfortably with the desire to strengthen communities, supporting people and places.

As we see significant change and continue discussions about the future of local government, I believe it is important we keep sight of what really matters at a local level.

People want to have a voice, they want to be able to make a difference in their own communities, and they need places where people can gather, participate and connect.

Whether it is children enjoying a new playground in Waipara or group of bowlers gathering in Amberley, these are the everyday things that build a sense of belonging.

So, congratulations to both communities, and thankyou to everyone who has put in the hard work to make these projects happen.

They may be different projects but the share the same outcome, better places, stronger connections and communities that we should all be proud of, there are examples like this happening right across the district and that is what Hurunui is all about.