Happy Birthday to the Hastings kaitiaki

The Hastings Kaitiaki at the birthday celebration on Friday. Photo / Supplied

Hastings District Council's kaitiaki have spent one year helping to community feel safe.

The kaitiaki spend time a various locations throughout the city such as pools, libraries and other community spaces.

Kaitiaki Tihema Cooper was one of the original three and said during the first year he had seen a massive turn around in the community.

""The community has our backs fully – our tamariki, our rangatahi, are our main concern and they have become more supportive as time has gone on.

"Another great thing is that our mature people are around more – they are coming to our facilities regularly and it's really nice to see."

The group meet at the community centre in Flaxmere on Friday to celebrate with some home made kai.

As some of the roles are seasonal it was also an opportunity to farewell some of the members.

Group manager community facilities and programmes Alison Banks said they would be more than welcome back next season.

She said that the team and the initiative have been positively received, not only by the communities they supported, but also by staff working within the facilities the kaitiaki are based at.

"These guys and girls carry out their roles with pride and have been embraced by many."

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the Kaitiaki stand out because of their personalities, caring nature and support for all people which made them stand out.

"We have seen a massive difference within our facilities and our community feels safe."