Tamaūpoko Community Led Trust – looking out for community together

Community-led development in New Zealand has been integral in connecting communities together and ensuring people have opportunities to succeed. The Tamaūpoko Community Led Trust (TCLT) is a great example of a group of passionate people coming together to lead positive change and strengthen community wellbeing.

The TCLT was established in 2017 to assist with community-led development alongside the locals of four settlements of Pipiriki, Jerusalem-Hiruhārama, Rānana, and Matahiwi on the rural Whanganui River Road. They aim to make a difference by listening to the voices of their people and delivering on projects which they consider to be important to them and their health, wellbeing, and welfare.

Settlements in the lower region of the Whanganui River Road: Koroniti, Ātene, Parikino and Pungarehu have also requested TCLT provide similar support to their residents through initiatives such as:

• Wānanga hui will be held with each community to ascertain projects of interest and order of priority

• A Settlement community plan will become a base document of action

• The TCLT team will apply for funding on behalf of communities

Members of the TCLT are currently making sure residents along the Whanganui River Road are informed and protected from the spread of Covid-19. Whanganui city has over 1200 Covid cases reported, with several whānau up the river also catching the virus. TCLT has been working with the people along the river, providing test kits and support using an approach that's appreciated by the rural Whanganui River community.

Learn more about TCLT and their work on the ground supporting their community during Covid-19 here: https://www.facebook.com/tereooteuru/posts/340162591505843