Making magic in the North East

HCC staff, government department representatives and volunteers spent a busy four hours on Saturday working with residents in Prouse Crescent, Naenae removing graffiti, cleaning gutters and house windows, mowing lawns and weeding gardens as part of the North East Magic Initiative.

The Initiative (NEMI) is a partnership between Hutt City Council, central government departments, health services, Police and local organisations that aims to improve the lives of people in Naenae, Taita, Waiwhetu North, Epuni East and Delaney, and help achieve prosperity for the city as a whole.

Prouse Crescent is the starting point for NEMI – and the group intend to work on a street-by-street approach to fulfil the vision for healthy, safe and prosperous communities.  The team visited all households in the Crescent last week, knocking on doors and gauging their response.

“We received very positive feedback from the families in Prouse Crescent”, says Matt Reid, Community services general manager.

“It’s going to be a family-fun day and everybody will benefit from the experience.”

Local resident, Chris Nethercott found the day bought on a very positive start for residents to start establishing relationships with the agencies.

“It’s good to have the agencies coming out to our street”, he says.

“This is a really good programme and you can see its success straight away.”

Chris hopes that this type of initiative will encourage the community to get together on a regular basis and help each other out.