A helping hand: Supporting whānau in need

In the heart of Aranui, a community feed is bringing whānau together.

A volunteer group called Whāngai Ngā Tangata gathers every second Thursday to host a free dinner for whānau in the neighbourhood.

Although it began as a simple act of kindness, volunteer Wai Johnson said it has grown into something much bigger.

“Being together and having a feed once a fortnight is important, and they know we care.

“After feeds, they have a huge smile on their faces, so you know they’re going home happy and that’s what we wanna see is happy people.”

For volunteer Nadine Broughton, who grew up in Aranui and has family ties to the area, the kaupapa is about supporting the place she calls home.

“I think it’s more just seeing that lift of weight that we’re all carrying, you know, with the joys of what our government’s doing to us, the struggles…

“Our necessities, our essentials are becoming so far away from us, that it shouldn’t be so; it gives me that push to keep going, to keep making sure that our people are okay…”

Broughton said Aranui’s strong sense of community keeps whānau connected, despite the negative stigma she felt is reinforced through media coverage. 

“Honestly, I don’t hear anything on the news about us, so shove it to the bad guys cause if they keep pushing us down, we united are so strong, and we can go so far.

Behind all the kai is a network of fundraising and sponsors from local businesses.

Volunteer Bonnie Ramirez said the support has allowed them to offer more than just a meal.

“We’ve taken donations from businesses, members of the public, and everyday people who want to do their bit to help.

“We’ve had so many people offering us things like clothes, babywear, kitchen utensils, blankets, sheets, towels, and these are all things that everyday people need, and most of us can’t just afford to go out and buy.”

Whāngai Ngā Tangata is made up of 14 volunteers.

“Some of the ladies spend hours cooking, days prepping…

“All the members of our team, in their own kitchens, with their own ingredients, cook their meal; they put so much love into it," Ramirez said.

While the need is being served in Aranui, Johnson is pushing others to do the same.

The dinners are held every second Thursday at 5.30pm at the Aranui Wainoni Community Centre.