Meet the Members: Raglan Community House

Located at 45 Bow St Raglan/Whaaingaroa, Raglan Community House (RCH) has been operational since the late 1980s. Our team consists of one full-time Manager, a Financial Administrator (30 hours per week) and a team of volunteers. We also have a Budget Advisor (4 days a week) who provides the Building Financial Capability Service.

We open Monday to Friday from 9am-4pm and our regular services include a Drop-in Lounge, Low Cost Counselling, and Free Budgeting. Our Op Shop supports our community with low-cost clothing, opens Mon-Fri and is run by our volunteers. It also provides an opportunity for volunteers to gain Retail Experience, especially young people. Other weekly activities include Technology Support, Te Reo Maori classes, Seniors Coffee Club, Drug &Alcohol Counselling, Narcotics Anonymous, Probation Service, Toy Library and Justice of the Peace Service.

We have regular collaborations with the Raglan Health Transport Service, transporting community members to health-related appointments in Hamilton, and the Whaaingaroa Raglan Affordable Housing Project (WRAP) with Raglan’s Chamber of Commerce and Community Board, finding solutions to the lack of local affordable housing. We are the base for Raglan Maori Wardens and facilitate youth-focused weekly activities and events. We have strong organizational values of Integrity, Respect, Empowerment and Social Justice and our Vision is “Whaaingaroa- A safe and healthy community”. Our workspace is fun and inclusive, supported daily by local whaea who fill the space with Te Reo Maori, Waiata, Ukulele playing, Love and Laughter. 

We serve the community of the Raglan township and surroundings, and also neighbouring communities Te Mata, Te Uku, Waitetuna, Waingaro, Ruapuke and Te Akau.

During the Covid Lockdown we supported the community with counselling and budgeting via phone and emails, distributed food and resources, checked on our isolated and vulnerable community members, and supported the local Community Response Group with information and advice. Having a local economy dependent on tourism and hospitality, Covid has hit us hard. We are blessed with amazing local resources including world-reknown surf and creative resilient people who support each over.

In the last few years we have been very active in supporting local youth providing activities, projects and events. Kickboxing4Youth is a free twice weekly program that encourages physical and mental well-being, self defence and empowerment. We also collaborate with other groups including Raglan Community Radio to provide events that have included National Youth Week events, the Whaaingaroa Talent Factory (WTF) and most recently DJ workshops. We are also looking at providing Drivers Licensing and Mentoring projects.

Poharatanga (Poverty) continues to be the main issue we face, supporting many whanau who are living in unhealthy accommodation including cars, tents and caravans, but issues including mental health, abuse, trauma and addiction are also regular issues we deal with.

Challenges going forward include making sure our team/whanau are looked after, the organization continues to be robust and meeting community needs, and finding solutions to issues including affordable accommodation.