Hamilton's Neighbourhood Support city co-ordinator Dianne June is on a mission to get communities to help themselves.
The role is the first time a paid part time position has been offered in Hamilton and Dianne says it is a real commitment on the organisation's part to increase its profile in the city.
Hamilton south Neighbourhood Support area co-ordinator for many years, Dianne is staunch about neighbours looking out for each other and her relationship with the organisation goes back 15 years as a member of a neighbourhood support group.
Originating in the United States in the 1950s, Neighbourhood Watch spread to New Zealand in the 1970s.
Although the police were instrumental in setting up the groups it wasn't until the 1980s that women's groups became active in setting up Neighbourhood Support Groups. Shortly after the police came back on board.