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Wednesday March 7, 2018
Free curtains for people in need People already anticipating the chill at home ahead of winter are being urged to beat the rush for free curtains from Wellington Curtain Bank. Anyone with a Community Services Card, who doesn’t already have curtains, can get them made for free by the Curtain Bank from now until November 30. “We support more than 570 families to warm up their homes every year – but unfortunately a lot of people wait until the middle of winter to access the service,” says Healthy Homes manager Miranda Struthers. “We have two part-time paid staff and about a dozen dedicated volunteers, but we received orders for nearly 2300 sets of upcycled curtains last year – there is usually a backlog of orders by the time winter rolls around.” During the colder months, curtains can help to keep heat in the home, which keeps power bills down and people healthier. But with the hot summer we’re experiencing it’s worth noting that quality, lined curtains can help to keep your home cool too. The Curtain Bank takes donations of clean, good quality curtains from the public and then upcycles, lines and sews to size for people who need
curtains. Mum-of- one Raukawa Tuahuru got curtains from Wellington Curtain Bank after her now 15-month- old daughter Harmony ended up in hospital with bronchiolitis last winter. “It was cold on the ground. We had to get carpet offcuts to at least be able to put our feet down,” says Raukawa. “The curtains took the crisp cold out of the air and it started getting warmer. The curtains help keep the house cool in summer too.” Raukawa was able to get curtains for the living room and for their bedrooms and says she can feel the difference, especially with the thickness of the curtains. Tania Ngatuere is extremely grateful for the mobile curtain bank service that has provided her with new curtains. The Wainuiomata resident said it was really good to have them involved with the community and helping provide families with curtains for their homes. People who would like to order curtains can call the Curtain Bank freephone on 0508 78 78 24 extn 705, or get more information and download an order form from www. sustaintrust.org.nz/free-curtains.
Celebrating New Zealand children Family Works General Manager Julia Hennessy says the dedicated day is an opportunity to think about how we support our children/tamariki and contribute to their positive development. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
It was New Zealand Children’s Day on Sunday and the Presbyterian Support Central Family Works team is encouraging families to celebrate the children in their lives. Family Works general manager Julia Hennessy says the dedicated day is an opportunity to think about how we support our children/tamariki and contribute to their positive development. New Zealand Children’s Day has been operating since 1999, having been set up by the first Children’s Commissioner, Ian Hassall. Julia says the national day was a chance to reflect that not all children live in safe and positive environments. “This day puts the spotlight on children and gives us the opportunity to think about building communities where everyone can thrive and reach
Wainuiomata’s Tania Ngatuere got new curtains last year. PHOTO: Dan Whitfield
Ginny and Meka reopen their doors Wainuiomata-based Labour MPs Ginny Anderson and Meka Whaitiri are officially re-opening their offices in the community. Both the MPs were voted in on the back of Labour winning the New Zealand General Election last year. Meka was voted in as representative of the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate while Ginny was made a Labour list MP. Meka has a strong Maori governance background and sound knowledge of how government and Parliament works. She is now the Minister of Customs, associate Minister of Agriculture, Local Government and Crown/M ori Relations. Ginny brings to the role of MP significant experience in the justice sector.
She has worked in Parliament as a private secretary and senior political adviser, in the Office of Treaty Settlements in negotiations and policy, and for nine years she worked for the New Zealand Police. Ginny is excited by the opportunity to combine her professional experience and her personal passions into her position as a member on the Justice Select Committee and as deputy-chairperson of the Governance and Administration Select Committee. The duo’s office is based near the Wainuiomata Shopping Centre entrance off Queen Street. The official opening will be held on March 8 at 5.30pm.
their full potential,” Julia says. “At Family Works we provide a range of services that are designed to help build strong families and communities. This is where families and children are free from violence, share healthy relationships and have the resources they need to flourish.” The Sunday was special for New Zealand children with people taking time to talk, listen, love and show affection, Julia says. Family Works Central supports people of all ages – kids, teens and adults – through challenging times. Services include social work, counselling and therapy, parenting advice and family dispute resolution, as well as restorative justice and community reintegration. For more information, visit www. familyworks.org.nz.
From left, Labour List MP Ginny Anderson and Labour MP Meka Whaitiri. PHOTOs: SUPPLIED