Welcome to
Community Waitākere
Our Vision
A West Auckland where all communities flourish
What We Do
Building flourishing environments - one person, one neighbourhood and one community at a time.
Connected Communities
Climate Action & Disaster Resilience
Enhancing Environments
Social Justice & Advocacy
Collective Impact Partnerships
News & Updates
Check out what our team have been up to recently.
Play can be a simple way to bring neighbours together, creating opportunities for people to meet, connect and feel more at home on their street. From a play kit bringing residents of a new Glen Eden development together to supporting eight Play Streets across West Auckland, Community Waitākere is helping communities create more spaces for neighbours to spend time, play and build relationships.
Across the Waitākere Ranges, the Seniors Providers Network is bringing together organisations supporting older adults to share knowledge, build relationships and explore opportunities to work together. By creating space for collaboration and a clearer picture of the support available, the network is helping strengthen a more connected, inclusive and responsive community for older adults.
Across West Auckland, community bike groups are helping people discover local pathways, build confidence on two wheels and explore more of Tāmaki Makaurau. By bringing neighbours together for group rides and showing how cycling can connect with public transport, the mahi is helping make more of the city accessible while creating opportunities for connection, adventure and everyday independence.
Across nine West Auckland schools, tamariki are getting their hands in the soil and helping native plants take root in the places they learn and play. With nearly 650 free native plants provided by Community Waitākere, students are planting, caring for and learning about the trees around them – creating opportunities to build a lasting connection with te taiao, and memories that may stay with them long after they leave school.
Across Ōrangihina Reserve, community groups, rangatahi and volunteers are working together to restore wetland habitat and bring native plants back to the coastline. From clearing invasive species to planting thousands of natives and monitoring the return of birdlife, the ongoing mahi is helping restore the reserve while creating more opportunities for people to connect with and care for te taiao.
He Hononga Hapori is creating space for West Auckland community workers to connect, share knowledge and build relationships that strengthen their collective impact. By bringing people together across organisations and kaupapa, these gatherings help uncover opportunities for collaboration and ensure communities can access the support they need to flourish.
Bringing together people from different generations, Conversations Across Generations created space for honest discussion about communication, respect and shared understanding. The workshop revealed that, despite different experiences and perspectives, people across all ages are looking for many of the same things - helping build stronger relationships and more effective collaboration in our communities.
Now in its third year, a growing network of West Auckland teachers is using outdoor learning to spark curiosity, connection and a deeper understanding of te taiao. By sharing knowledge, exploring together, and learning from the world just beyond the classroom door, the cluster is helping tamariki build lasting relationships with the natural environment.
Revive Rathgar is showing what's possible when local people come together around a shared vision for their neighbourhood. By bringing residents, schools and community groups together to identify priorities and advocate for change, the kaupapa is helping build a safer, more connected future shaped by the people who call Rathgar home.
Building digital confidence and staying connected was at the heart of a recent pilot programme for older adults in Glen Eden. Through practical, hands-on learning and patient support, participants gained the skills and confidence to navigate an increasingly digital world, helping them stay connected to the people, services and communities that matter most.
Working street by street in the Whau, local residents are tackling invasive pest plants to help native ecosystems thrive. With practical support, shared knowledge and neighbourly action, the project is building the connections and confidence needed to care for both backyards and the previous environments beyond them.
Village Vibes transformed Glen Eden's library courtyard into a vibrant community hub — where music, shared kai, and warm connection turned summer Fridays into something locals didn't want to leave.
Drawing on lessons from recent extreme weather, Ready to Lead Disaster Readiness Kits are equipping West Auckland neighbours with practical tools to connect, plan, and support one another — building the relationships and confidence that help communities thrive in both everyday life and times of crisis.
At Orangihina Harbourview Reserve, rangatahi are reconnecting with whenua through hands-on wetland restoration — planting over 200 native trees alongside Oranga Tamariki, building confidence and practical skills while deepening their sense of belonging and contribution to their community.
A new wave of leadership is rising in West Auckland. This programme nurtures Māori and Pasifika kaimahi to step into leadership with confidence, grounded in culture and strengthened with practical skills.