Miramar / April 2025
| February 2025-
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Ngā Kōrero – Latest Stories from DCM
- Downtown Community Ministry
- Ngā Kōrero – Latest Stories from DCM Ngā Kōrero – Latest Stories from DCM communities where whānau are housed, connected, valued and thriving About Us Contact A Message From Our Manahautū He Rā Ka Huri: Seasons Change, Our Purpose Remains Stephen Turnock, Manahautū (Director) at DCM Tēnā koutou katoa, As the seasons shift once again, I find myself reflecting on just how much change we’ve witnessed lately, not only in the weather, but across our communities, sector, and Aotearoa. Like the turn from summer to autumn, some changes are expected, while others arrive quickly, bringing with them a sense of uncertainty. This changing environment is being felt deeply across the community sector. Policy directions are shifting, funding decisions are pending. Many of us are operating in a space where the future feels less certain than before. At DCM, this has real impacts. The security of our contracts, the continuity of our mahi, and the wellbeing of our kaimahi (staff) are all front of mind. And it's not just our sector, every day we see how these pressures are being experienced by whānau across Te-Whanganui-a-Tara: the cost of living, the struggle to find and keep a safe place to live, and the weight of navigating systems that often don’t work for them. Change is constant, but for many, it doesn’t always feel like it’s moving in the right direction. In the face of this, we ground ourselves in what remains constant. Our commitment to whānau-led support, our belief in housing as a human right, and our dedication to walking alongside those doing it tough. No matter the season, our purpose stays the same. And we want you to know, we have a plan. Even in a time of shifting sands, we’re clear on our direction. We’re committed to building on what works, data-informed insights, whanau-centred practice and courageous leadership. And we know we can’t do this alone. It’s through community collaboration, with whānau, with partners, and with people like you, that real solutions are found and created. So as the leaves begin to fall and we prepare for the colder months ahead, we do so with determination, with hope, and with deep gratitude for your continued support. You are part of this journey, and together, we will keep working towards a city where everyone has a place to stand. Ngā manaakitanga, Stephen Turnock Finding An Oasis At DCM I was homeless and running around the country before I came to Wellington. I was drinking heavily. I was an alcoholic. My mental health issues hadn’t been diagnosed, so I was unmedicated and pretty messy. Before that I was in Christchurch. I got made redundant, and then I had nothing to do. I started drinking, getting into hard drugs, getting in trouble. I made a lot of people mad and I had to leave. I just wanted to hide somewhere and drink. That was my plan. It’s crazy I kept drinking even when I was that sick. I knew I was sick, but the need for alcohol was stronger than any concern I had for my own safety. I was housed out in the Hutt maybe six or seven years ago, not by DCM but someone else. They put me there to get me out of Wellington, away from the drinking. But I still drank sometimes. Then I got told my liver couldn’t take it anymore. They said it was no good. That changed everything. I had to stop drinking, and that changed my life completely. I couldn’t fill the voids with alcohol anymore. I had to deal with stuff. Face my demons. And it was too much, really. I ended up needing medication. There was nothing like DCM out in the Hutt then. I came back into town because there’s more here, and DCM is a hub that has everything I need. I’ve been coming here every day, every week, for as long as I’ve been back in Wellington. DCM has supported me in all sorts of ways. I come here for coffee, for health, for dental, and they make sure I get to my appointments. Te Aro Health and the nurse let me know if the doctors want to see me. It’s amazing that everything is just here. And yeah, I get food from DCM. It’s good to know it comes from people I know, not some stranger. It keeps it in the whānau, you know? I don’t eat much. Once a day is usually enough to keep me going. I used to be a good cook, but I’ve lost all interest in it. Cooking for one is boring. Food is just something I put in myself now. The DCM staff are even trying to get more fruits and vegetables into me. I’ll eat it if it’s put in front of me, but I won’t cook it. I’m eating like an old man now. DCM hasn’t given up on people, not like other places have. That’s what surprised me. DCM is an oasis and people rely on this place. If they weren’t here, there’d be nothing for us. We’d be eating out of rubbish bins. "DCM is absolutely brilliant because it’s saving people in Wellington. It’s keeping people alive. Without this service, people would be lost. They’d just be lost." These days, I guess, I’m mostly just working out what life looks like until I die. That’s what concerns me now. My health isn’t great. I don’t know how long I’ve got, but I’m trying to be all right until then. If you’re struggling, don’t stop yourself. Get to DCM. If they see the need, they’ll help. I fully recommend it to anyone in Wellington who needs support. Spotlight on Lynda: Fundraising For Hope Lynda McGregor, owner of Little Bread Loaf, wears many hats. She runs a small artisan bakery in Lower Hutt where everything is made from scratch, a busy café in Miramar, works in fresh produce markets, and does catering too. Yet despite her full plate (pun intended), Lynda makes time to support DCM. Her connection with DCM began when she saw one of our Instagram posts calling for donations. “It really moved me,” she says. “I just thought, we can all do something to help our community. It’s not about pity, it’s about showing up and helping.” Lynda shared the post, a conversation followed, then a tour, and she soon found herself organising her first foodbank collection for DCM at Little Bread Loaf where she and her community raised over 200 cans of food. “I’ve always known about DCM and the work you do. I know you don’t get as much funding as the bigger charities, and I felt I could add value here in a way that would make a real impact.” Supporting DCM wasn’t a random choice. It aligned with Lynda’s values. “My mum always tithed. She gave a portion of what she had or her time to help others. I’ve always tried to do that too. I’m not religious, but giving back is a part of who I am.” She’s also realistic. “In the charity sector, it’s often the causes that are more ‘attractive’ that get attention". But DCM, she says, offers something deeper. “I truly believe that nobody wakes up wanting to be on the street. DCM works with some of the most vulnerable people in Wellington and you stay constant, even when others would walk away. The whānau you support can keep coming back for coffee, a chat, or whatever they need and you are always there for them.” For Lynda, donating food is not about charity. It’s about manaakitanga. “If the food isn’t good enough for me to eat, I won’t bring it in. What I give has to be mana enhancing; for DCM, for me as the maker, and for anyone who receives it. I want people to feel dignity when they receive something from me.” She adds that contributing makes her feel good too. “It feeds my soul. I do this for selfish reasons because it makes me happy and brings me joy.” Lynda has seen the challenges facing our communities and the pressure DCM is under. “It makes me sad to see the foodbank shelves so bare. You’re doing incredible work, and so much of it comes from heart. You can tell that your team is here because they genuinely want to be of service.” She believes anyone can make a difference and her hope is that more people and businesses will step up.. “You don’t have to give a lot. A couple of cans, a few dollars, whatever you can manage. That small act might have a huge impact on someone’s day." She adds, "It’s not about changing someone’s whole life. It’s about easing their path just a little. It’s about giving someone a little hope.” We are so thankful to Lynda, and our other wonderful supporters, for standing with us. DCM is proud to work alongside people who care so deeply about making Wellington a city where everybody has a place. This year, we are running a Foodbank Appeal Week from 17 to 24 May, and we are inviting the community to help us to continue to provide essential food support to Wellington’s most marginalised residents. There are many ways you can get involved. You could host a food donation box at your workplace, school, or church, run a fundraiser for DCM, or, if you would like to support us financially, you can do so by clicking the button below. Support DCM Copyright © 2025 DCM. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: DCM Wellington, 2 Lukes Lane, Te Aro, Wellington Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
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Lower Hutt, Lower Hutt City, Wellington, 5010, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)
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April 2025 news
- Wellington Orienteering Association
- April 2025 news More CSW events on their way, so too is a new Constitution ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ View this email in your browser April 2025 news Mihi nui kia <> It has been great to see so many people participating at events, and the over 200 people at Karori were treated to an excellent navigational challenge with the maze of tracks and many route choice options. With participation up, this is great evidence that our club is in a strong position. Although I've been on the Committee over the years since arriving in Wellington in 1988, I haven't yet had the honour of leading Orienteering Wellington. My focus at this time is ensuring your club maintains momentum with quality events and training, as we gear up to hosting Nationals in a year's time. We have now wrapped up our evening sprint series and are moving on to the classic-style events. Our two most recent events were at Tikara and Karori Park and have also been part of a College Sport Wellington(CSW) orienteering series. We are grateful to our partnership with Orienteering Hutt Valley in delivering the CSW championship events. In the meantime, I wish everybody heading to Nationals in Canterbury safe travels, and good orienteering! Beverley Holder President Training opportunities Course Planning Seminar If you are currently a course planner or controller, or are interested in these roles, then Orienteering Wellington has a session for you! Our half-day Course Planning Seminar will be a practical session with some tips and tricks on how to set good courses, how to use the course software, and additional compliance responsibilities for controllers. You will also get the chance to share ideas with others who are planning and controlling courses. When: Sunday 4 May Date 4th May Where: Johnsonville Community Centre Find out more and register your interest. Course Planning Seminar Practical training for developing orienteers On Sunday 15 June, we will host training aimed at skills for orange-level orienteers – either those currently running orange or yellow courses and who want to start preparing for the next level. The focus will be on moving away from “handrails” like tracks, fences and streams, as well as improving accuracy of navigation near the control site. The location isn’t confirmed but will be in Wellington. Weekly interval training is back! Lizzie Ingham is offering group interval training at 6pm Wednesdays. You’ll get to build fitness running along the flat, up hills, or maybe a mix—and doing intervals as a group is much more motivating than doing intervals on your own. The group typically meets at the upper Ōtari carpark on Wilton Road. Find out more. Dodge the line with your own dibber! A challenge of the growing number of events and participation is the queues at registration. Did you know that you can buy your own sport ident, register online – and bypass that registration queue! One vendor is Michael Wood, whose MapSport shop sells all sorts of orienteering gear, including SportIdents (dibbers). You’ll see him at most local events. All Societies need a new Constitution Why now? As an incorporated society, Orienteering Wellington must provide a new Constitution to comply with the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. Any society that does not reregister by 5 April 2026 will cease to exist. The Act had not been reviewed since 1908 and the new Act is far more explicit regarding the Committee, expectations of officer, conflicts of interest and concerns and complaints. What is changing? Currently, our Committee quorum is five. Orienteering Wellington now proposes a minimum Committee size of five, with a majority quorum. The Committee would be supported by working parties to help carry out the Club’s operations. We’ve effectively used such arrangements for delivering major events, club events, design, and reviews. Lachlan, our secretary, has led a small team to draft a new Constitution. We ask that you now read the draft Constitution. Read the draft Constitution Next steps Send any thoughts you have to the Committee at secretary@wellingtonorienteering.org.nz by Sunday 4 May. The Committee will consider your feedback and distribute this to members, noting any revisions to the proposed draft Constitution. We will look to pass a confirmed Constitution at our club Winter Potluck at 30 Gurkha Crescent on Sunday 8 June. Useful links Key changes provided by the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 Existing Constitution of Wellington Orienteering Club Read the draft Constitution Look flash in club kit! You can still purchase club shirts and headbands in a range of sizes. If you’re heading to Nationals in Canterbury, we can bring your order to you! You can also collect your order at a local event. Get shopping now, or contact Anna Varnham for more. Get your kit! Nationals 2026 Once again, Orienteering Wellington is teaming up with nearby clubs Red Kiwis, Hutt Valley and Taranaki to offer the NZ Orienteering Champs (Nationals) in the lower North Island next Easter (3-6 April 2026). At the moment, Malcolm Ingham is identifying suitable areas to map and Paul Teesdale-Spittle is assembling a small technical committee for the event. But we need your help to make the event a success! If you're keen to get involved, let us know. In any case, mark it in your diary for next year. Mapping news Since November, we returned to Tikara Farmland, a relatively new map for us. You can see a map of mapped areas on our website. We’d like to hear your suggestions for new areas to map. Talk to Jake Hanson if you have some good ideas of areas you have spotted – get in touch through our website. World-class Wellingtonians! Congratulations to Wellington orienteers Lara Molloy, Lizzie Ingham and Rachel Baker – all of who have been named in as representatives in the New Zealand team at the World Orienteering Championships in Kuopio, Finland (7-12 July). Jake McLellan and Rachel Baker will also represent New Zealand at the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Trentino, Italy (26 June - 3July). Coming events Orienteering Wellington’s coming events can be found on our Events page. You can also toggle the calendar to show Orienteering Hutt Valley’s events. Sunday 13 April – Riverbank Route Choice, Upper Hutt Sunday 5 May – Course Planning Seminar, Johnsonville Wednesday 14 May – Afterwork Rogaine, Eastbourne Sunday 25 May – CSW and Public Event, Baring Head Wednesday 6 June – Afterwork Rogaine, Miramar Sunday 15 June – Practical training Sunday 22 June – Matariki special, Waikawa … For all events, visit Orienteering New Zealand About us We welcome all who live around Te Whanganui-a-Tara to discover our special region through orienteering. Be part of our community at Orienteering Wellington Copyright (C) 2025 Orienteering Wellington. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe
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Upper Hutt, Upper Hutt City, Wellington, 5218, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)
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