Restorative City Whanganui aims for community connections in Neighbours' Day events

People will have the opportunity to be involved in community circles during Neighbours' Week events in Whanganui.

Community leaders and organisations will help to promote positive neighbourhood relations during Neighbours' Day events organised by Restorative City Whanganui.

This year marks 10 years of the national Neighbours' Day campaign which will be celebrated over 10 days from March 22-31.

Deb Smith, of Restorative City Whanganui, said the organisation's vision was to create an "environment for all Whanganui people to thrive and succeed, together, through respectful relationships".

"One of the ways of developing healthy relationships in our community is facilitating community circles," Smith said.

"These provide an opportunity for people to meet in a relaxed environment, share ideas and offer social connection. In time these circles can be an opportunity to constructively and positively consult and problem-solve with our community on topics that impact them. This promotes active citizenship, social cohesion and ultimately healthier and safer communities."

Smith is co-ordinating several events in Whanganui "as a way to kick-start these community connections".

Age Concern, Neighbourhood Support, Ngā Tai o Te Awa, Community Patrol, Whanganui police, councillors Jenny Duncan and Josh Chandulal-Mackay and Whanganui District Council have all pitched in, Smith said.

The activities include the opportunity to have coffee and a chat with a councillor and other community members. Chandulal-Mackay will be at Whanganui Advocacy and Support Trust in Hakeke St at 2pm on Saturday, March 23, and Duncan will be at the Gonville Library community room at 10am on Monday, March 25, to talk with the local community.

On Tuesday, March 26, people are invited to "Connecting with our MP". Whanganui MP Harete Hipango will be under the trees at Majestic Square from 12 noon to talk with the community.

Clare Fearnley, of Age Concern, will run two sessions for kaumātua and seniors. The first is at the Whanganui East Club at 10am on Wednesday, March 27, and the second is at Churton School library at 10am on Thursday, March 28.

Restorative City Whanganui has a free Introduction to Restorative Practice workshop on Thursday, March 28. The workshop, facilitated by Deb Smith, will be from 8.30am to 4.30pm at Ngā tai o te Awa. Registrations are essential. Contact 027 444 0086, email info@restorativepracticeswhanganui.co.nz or go to restorativepracticeswhanganui.co.nz to register.

Neighbourhood Support and Wanganui Community Patrol will run a session on safer plates (to prevent number plates being stolen) and tools engraving (to safeguard tools) at Mitre 10 from 10am to 12 noon on Saturday, March 30.

"So 'be the change you want to see in the world' and choose one thing, big or small, that you can do to contribute to happy, safe communities," Smith said.

More information is on the Restorative Practices Whanganui Facebook page and website restorativepracticeswhanganui.co.nz