Learned everything I could about Early-Childhood Education funding, successes, & challenges from local business owner Rachel Terry of Giggles Learning Centre in Kensington. What an exceptional person and centre, giving the intensely community-based care that cannot be matched by a corporate chain.

What's a better society look like? Kaurihohore Church + #SalvationArmy have put together 6 meetings. Last night I went along to the first one on Youth and Families. Based on the SA's 'State of the Nation'. Mass action will be needed to turn things around. Starting in communities like ours.

I'll be attending the Feb 17 meeting. The #SalvationArmy is resolutely speaking up on behalf of growing number of kids and families that are hungry or homeless. Their State of the Nation report is a must-read. But we must do more than just read it. #priorities

Great morning in Tiki with Lou Davis of Te Ora Hou. Youth mentoring, education for highest-risk rangatahi, pre-work training, and more, emphasising stable relationships and long-term outcomes. #pickleball #youtheducation #afterschool #mentalhealth

its today Our FIRST Campaign Meeting, FEB 9, 5:30 pm! Everyone is welcome, even if you just have 5 minutes--stop by for a bite and a quick cup of tea.  147 Kamo Road, Kamo (St Johns Church north of the kensington fields): 5:30 - 8pm Our first meeting is a BIG one. We're building. --Gary

Let me introduce Alex Hedley, a Public Health Dr and #Labour candidate for #HawkesBay. I worked with him years ago in #Whangarei. He is a good guy. Follow his campaign as we both try to make NZ better for the average person. https://f.mtr.cool/bikjoboikv

Our FIRST Campaign Meeting, tomorrow, FEB 9, 5:30 pm! Everyone is welcome, even if you just have 5 minutes--stop by for a bite and a quick cup of tea.  147 Kamo Road, Kamo (St Johns Church): 5:30 - 8pm Our first meeting is a BIG one. We're building. --Gary

I counted 16 waka this morning at #Waitangi Day celebrations. An annual congress of chiefs was established here in 1835 at the signing of He Whakaputanga, even before #tetiriti was signed in 1840.

Our FIRST Campaign Meeting, this Monday, FEB 9, 5:30 pm! Everyone is welcome, even if you just have 5 minutes--stop by for a bite and a quick cup of tea.  147 Kamo Road, Kamo (St Johns Church): 5:30 - 8pm Our first meeting is a BIG one. We're building. --Gary pls share and re-post

I was at #Waitangi Treaty Grounds today, celebrating a #NewZealand that will be 186 years old this Friday. It's a day for all the people of NZ. Lovely vibe, and so many families having fun. The museum's eye-opening, I hadn't it visited before. #bhn #chippy #ambos #nz #tetiriti

We've got an absolute firecracker of an MC for our Campaign Launch! NZ Nurses Organisation union organiser Justine Sachs. Registration essential -- email: [email protected] for more info and a registration link for the launch on 20 Feb! #nurses #union #1termgovernment #labour

Smiling, but had to sit and think after this one. Can't describe these deep conversations in a post. The state of services for abused + neglects elders needs so much improving. Thanks Seniors ASAP Trust and Rachel for explaining 15 years of policy to me. #listeningtour #whangarei

Well done Dr David Galler and 'Kaitiaki Hauora -- Together for Public Health'. Your Listener article was spot on. Privatisation diminishes and weakens our public healthcare system.

Spent Friday at Whangaruru North, helping at Tuparehuia on the Ngatiwai health van. Scenic...but a 1hr50min ride to whangarei hospital. Very expensive for many residents to afford, especially those on a fixed income. The community stepped up with volunteer medication deliveries. Dog's name is Kai. 😁

Do you know where this is? I didn't know this is where I'd end up when I volunteered to see patients, working with a great team out of 2 vans, seeing people who struggle (for reasons of petrol + ferry costs, distance, health problems, and now the many coastal slips) to access care in town.

Wendie, thanks for taking the time to talk to me about the Northland Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the challenges facing the disability sector in these times. Having had friends and patients with multiple sclerosis, I thank you for the work your organisation does from Wellsford to Cape Reinga.

Wendie, thanks for taking the time to talk to me about the Northland Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the challenges facing the disability sector in these times. Having had friends and patients with multiple sclerosis, I thank you for the work your organisation does from Wellsford to Cape Reinga.

Wendie, thanks for taking the time to talk to me about the Northland Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the challenges facing the disability sector in these times. Having had friends and patients with multiple sclerosis, I thank you for the work your organisation does from Wellsford to Cape Reinga.

Jane and Bev thanks for your time and candor talking about Volunteering Northland, which places people into 200 organisations, and helps get people work-ready. I appreciated your thoughts on the need for sustainable funding models.

Thanks Eva for talking with me about your volunteer organisation: the Whangarei Women's International Newcomer's Group WINGS, Fighting loneliness and bringing women together over Tai chi, dancing, art, workshops and cooking classes. Ka pai!

Met an old friend at Parkrun today: Dr Anil Joshi. ~8 years ago, when he was a registrar, I taught him everything I knew about emergency medicine. Now he's far eclipsed me, and is teaching the next generation of helicopter retrieval docs himself. Helloes to Sandy and Fiona as well.

Thanks to Deidre, CEO of Arataki Ministries, a disability support services charity started by #Whangarei Central Baptist Church in 1991, for answering an hour's worth of questions about mental health and disability support services...as I try to learn more about our community's specific needs.

Thanks to Deidre, CEO of Arataki Ministries, a disability support services charity started by #Whangarei Central Baptist Church in 1991, for answering an hour's worth of questions about mental health and disability support services...as I try to learn more about our community's specific needs.

Biked 74km on the twin coast cycle trail yesterday, #Kawakawa #Moerewa #Kaikohe return. Waterfalls and bush views, a public bike path that is a real asset to Northland. Nice day out. Recommended.

thanks to the people on the footpaths, shops, colleagues, and passersby who have donated support, likes, money, smiles, and time to help build a whangarei campaign for a better future. Want to volunteer? Or have social media talents? email us at: [email protected]

great news: we now have a wonderful campaign manager, a feb Campaign Launch, and a supporters bash. Questions or to help: [email protected] *our BIG First Campaign meeting Feb 9, please come and see what's planned* more info to follow

Let's make this a 1-term government. Because the average NZer can't last through another 3 years of this. https://f.mtr.cool/guvnyxrikz https://f.mtr.cool/hrzuvuhvrs

Our Campaign Launch Party is coming: << Friday, Feb 20 >> More info soon. For now just keep the evening free (And share the news with a friend.) https://f.mtr.cool/vivqxneqgw

Pleasure to speak with Barbara Browne of Kāhui Tū Kaha, about providing housing to people in need. All kinds of people. Because ignoring homelessness never made any society better, stronger, or safer.

Maori Women's Welfare league, founded 1951, by Dame Whina Cooper. Rachel + Briar are doing the hard mahi, walking alongside whanau on a path towards safe and fulfilling lives. #whangarei #housing

This medical data breach is hitting close to home: 45 Northland GP practices directly affected, 400k private medical documents dating back to 2017, 130k patients affected. Highlights the need to view healthcare IT systems and data personnel as important investments rather than just expenses/costs.

If you don't want another 3 years of this government... help us enrol voters. We are building our team, join us: https://f.mtr.cool/kjrztzhcuy

Thx, you got me thinking so I looked up the official electoral commission numbers $4.2 million / 246000 votes comes out to about $17 per vote. The math on ACT fundraising is mathing. There's crazy amounts of money per vote there