Trust Waikato Annual Report 2016

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The diversity of Raglan Community Radio’s
programming reflects the community it serves.
Listeners tuning in on a typical weekday might be
treated to anything from classical music, to current
affairs, to children’s story time, to reggae and funk.
Manager Aaron Mooar sees this as one of the station’s
definite strengths.
In addition to engaging listeners, the station plays an
important civil defence role. Due to its hilly terrain,
many Raglan residents can’t get reception for other
stations. In an emergency, the station will not only
provide the community with a voice, it will serve as
a lifeline with the outside world.
Raglan
The Hamilton-based Afghanistan Hazara Association of
Waikato is only in its second year of existence. Yet, already
it is a hub of culture, celebration and language for the
Waikato Afghan community.
The association was formed in April 2015 after several
Afghan families settled in Hamilton. Among them were
the families of several Afghan interpreters who had
served with the New Zealand Army in Afghanistan.
Vice President Hassan Beigi says, “Although there was
already an established Afghan community in the Waikato,
there wasn’t a cultural association. We saw the need for
such an organisation to form a heart for our community,
and to help keep our culture and language alive here.”
Waikato
Over the 30 years since it opened, Cambridge Community
House has seen demand for its services grow and grow.
Among the House’s most sought-after services are its drug
and alcohol, and family violence counselling, as well as its
more generic counselling services for grief, relationship
troubles and other issues that people face. The budgeting
service also experiences consistent demand.
Unlike most community houses, Cambridge Community
House provides most of its services directly.
“We’re closer to a health and social services agency in the
way we operate,” says Manager Nicki de Reus. “We’re also the
only organisation offering these services in Cambridge and
the surrounding rural areas. A lot of people depend on us.”
Cambridge