New Tararua REAP manager Janine Bacon a country girl at heart

Stephen Paewai, chairman of the governance board of Tararua REAP, with newly appointed manager Janine Bacon.

For the new manager of Tararua REAP, her appointment is like coming home.

Though arriving from the Waitemata District Health Board, Janine Bacon is far from a city girl, instead she has strong connections to our district.

"I spent a lot of time in Matamau and love the farming community and rural towns" she told the Dannevirke News.

"I would be a farmer's wife any day.

"My appointment is a coming home, my grandfather was Jack Prenter and my grandmother Joyce Bedingfield, so I've strong links to this community.

"My mum is so thrilled I'm here in Dannevirke now."

And although she comes from a city job on Auckland's North Shore, Janine is looking forward to country life.

"People have been absolutely wonderful in welcoming me and this area has a nice feel and it's great catching up with relatives," she said.

Janine brought a wide range of skills to Tararua REAP, board chairman Stephen Paewai said.

Departing after 10 years, Tararua REAP manager Peter Barton has taken on the challenge of running the Salvation Army's social services in Palmerston North, as mission co-ordinator.

"It's a big role and the Salvation Army has a fantastic reputation," he said.

"I'm looking forward to a more hands on job and to new challenges, but Tararua REAP has been a fantastic place to work and I leave with mixed emotions."

Peter is based in Palmerston North and wants to work in the community in which he lives.

"Things will chug along here at REAP and Janine's appointment means it's time for a refresh and a change," he said.

Speaking at his last annual meeting for Tararua REAP, Peter said demands on the organisation had grown.

"We've had pressure to deliver 400 more hours with no increase in funding," he said.

"And although 2016 was a trying year we still managed to do fantastic work, with cool outcomes.

"There are big challenges in the future, but we are well set up and we are here to support our community.

"Despite the challenges we have had a really successful year, running innovative and supportive programmes."

Peter said Stephen Paewai and his board never steered clear of investing in programmes and did not shy away from putting in reserve funding.