Collaboration is part of West Auckland’s DNA—colloquially known as the ‘Waitākere Way,’ the collaborative approach between community, council, and government agencies has become the norm for organizations out West. For decades, small groups have formed networks, working together, sharing information, and advocating for a stronger collective voice.
Community Waitākere has been a key driver of this collaborative spirit, playing a central role in facilitating partnerships and strengthening the capacity of local organizations. As a founding member and active participant in the West Auckland Together (WAT) group, Community Waitākere has helped shape its direction and ensure its ongoing impact. Notably, Community Waitākere’s Chief Executive, Kerry Allan, is the current convenor of the WAT Strategy Group, reinforcing the organization’s leadership in fostering collaboration across the region.
West Auckland Together emerged in March 2020 as a response to Covid-19 and its social effects but is an iteration of an earlier collaborative network referred to as the Community Marketplace. WAT focuses on the emerging needs of Māori and Pasifika communities in West Auckland and has continued to adapt and grow since then. In recent years, the focus has been on identifying areas of need and addressing them through collaboration among participating community organizations and local networks.
In recent times, West Auckland Together has:
Developed a Māori cultural capability locator tool that eight organizations are using to develop their own cultural capability.
Supported the community in accessing resources dedicated to improving health and well-being during self-isolation, through the West Auckland Together digital hub.
Worked to develop a weekly fresh food market run by locals, for locals in the heart of Henderson. Te Puna Market is an opportunity for locals to access affordable kai, connect with neighbors, and support local makers and artists.
Supported the development of Kai West, a collective made up of people working on community-based initiatives that focus on the local food system.
Distributed copies of booklets, including Easy Choice Family Kai (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring) and Homelessness, Housing and Community Resources in West Auckland.
Created and distributed activity-based NCEA study packs.
Supported vaccination drives.
Released a report on key findings from the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Most recently, surveyed 24 organizations across West Auckland to assess the severity of recent funding cuts.
With Community Waitākere’s Chief Executive convening the WAT Strategy Group, the organization continues to play a crucial leadership role in strengthening community-led solutions and ensuring that collaboration remains at the heart of West Auckland’s response to emerging challenges.