Revival of Gisborne Neighbourhood Support on the cards

Gisborne is one of the few places in the country without a Neighbourhood Support group, but this could soon change. Photo / File

A start has been made on getting the Neighbourhood Support concept up and running again in Gisborne after a public meeting held in the HB Williams Memorial Library on Tuesday night.

There have been some local Neighbourhood Support groups in the region, but Gisborne remains one of the few areas in Aotearoa without a formally affiliated Neighbourhood Support group connected to the national network.

A small group of people led by John Gartside, who worked with Neighbourhood Support in Auckland for more than 40 years before moving to Gisborne, have banded together with community police, facilitated by Isaac Ngatai from Gisborne police, and hope to get it going again here.

“Our aim is to establish an Incorporated Charitable Trust locally led, formally affiliated Neighbourhood Support group – developed by the community, for the community,” said group spokeswoman Monique Green.

“This is an early step in a longer journey.”

Neighbourhood Support groups are active across New Zealand, but not so much so in Gisborne, with moves under way to get it running again.

“It was a very positive meeting on Tuesday night – one of those ‘from acorns mighty trees grow’ discussions,” Green said.

She said being part of the national Neighbourhood Support network brought real advantages for everyone in the community.

“It helps build stronger connections between neighbours, supports overall wellbeing, and makes our streets safer,” she said.

“Affiliation also opens up access to funding, emergency preparedness, police safety education, and emergency health workshops and strengthens partnerships with Civil Defence, police and other response agencies, helping us all be more ready and resilient when it matters most.”

Green said they aimed to get people to work together, “to support one another and strengthen the community we all call home”.

The next meeting will be held towards the end of July at the CDEM centre in Potae Ave.

“All are welcome – keep an eye out on social media for further information.”