Kaitaia gets stuck in

Reuben Taipari, who provided the concreting tools and expertise, Moana Erickson (OTC), Percy Fepuluai (Bonnetts Road resident) and Jason Reti, who was the driving force behind the project, at work.

Open the Curtains community initiatives manager Jason Reti almost did himself an injury last week to show the Far North District Council what Kaitaia can do on its own behalf.

With council chief executive Colin Dale travelling north to see what OTC was up to, Jason decided to fix 12 metres of broken footpath in Bonnetts Road, where a boy had tripped and cracked his head.

With no money, Jason and Moana Erickson (OTC community liaison) called on local businesses, every one of which stepped up to help.

BEFORE: The footpath as it was...

"Carters gave us the boxing, Mitre 10 gave us the drainage coil, Pukepoto Quarries provided the metal, Firth Industries stopped by to pour the concrete, Kaitaia Hire came to the party (again) with the equipment, and the Empire Mart staff kicked in for the weed matting. Big thanks to them all," Jason said.

"And of course K West locals pitched in to break up the concrete, clean out the pathway, lay the boxing, spread the metal and screed the concrete.

"The safety of our communities matters to us all, and we just wanted the council to see that if we work together, we can make things happen," he said. "Hopefully the council will work with us and the community to get the footpaths fixed, proper lighting installed and decent playgrounds for our kids.

"If we work together it won't cost a lot, and we'll all benefit from making our community a better place."