The Ōwairaka Community Day was a hit, with organisers saying that at least 500 people attended.

The whānau-friendly, community-led event was all about promoting living well together, celebrating the community’s diverse cultures, and getting to know neighbours. 

There were activities for the kids, home cooked kai, and a range of positive living and wellbeing stalls from the likes of Ōwairaka Eco Neighbourhoods, Compost Collective, Pest Free Ōwairaka, Climate Action Advice, Community Wastewise, and Bike Ōwairaka.



This year, the event was hosted by Marist Rugby League and other local community groups on 25 March 2023 at Murray Halberg Park. 

The Ōwairaka neighbourhood team provided a free sausage sizzle to keep bellies full and faces smiling, and our civil works partner, Piritahi, provided a bouncy castle and a digger, along with kids’ hard hats and vests, which the kids absolutely loved.



Kelly Pretty, a Ōwairaka local and one of the event organisers, says “Ōwairaka is a special little suburb nestled under the maunga and for me, there was nothing better than seeing this community come together for a day of fun, learning, and connection.”

“Everyone was so happy and joyous, chatting with strangers, enjoying kai, and the children playing in what for many was their first time at one of our local parks,” she says about the Community Day. 

The Roskill Development team and Piritahi enjoyed chatting to the community about new homes, infrastructure, and amenities coming to the neighbourhood. The Kāinga Ora Homeownership team was also on hand answering questions about the financial support available to help people get onto the property ladder.