Editorial: Social media rallies locals

Raewyn Mitchell (left), Nicole Mitchell, Garry Hazleton, Khan (surname withheld) and Yvette Heta had never met before they came together to help an elderly woman.

On Saturday, there was an event that deserves recognition.

A group of people, some of whom had not met before, got together at a Tikipunga home to do a favour for 75-year-old Jodi Armiger.

Like many people, Ms Armiger struggles to keep up with home maintenance and had paid a man to complete some property jobs for her. But he didn't finish the jobs, despite being paid in advance.

Nicole Mitchell was one of a few hundred people who read Ms Armiger's Facebook post warning other people to not be taken in by the man, and decided to do something about it.

Nicole rallied a team of people and, on Saturday, they turned up at Ms Armiger's Tikipunga home and helped complete the work. They also won her heart, not just for finishing the work, but for soldiering on in the rain.

People who were unable to attend the working bee on Saturday had offered to bake for Ms Armiger.

We so often hear about the dangers of communication on Facebook, the risk from cyber bullying etc. But, like many things, its power can be used for good, as well as evil.

Nicole's working bee is a great example of the good that can come from the ease of communication enabled by social media. But, ultimately, it's good that comes from people, regardless of what communication medium they are using. Congratulations Nicole, it's great to see the evidence of community goodwill.