I am honoured to detail some of Foxton Community Board’s achievements during the past year and our vision for the future, committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community at Foxton and Foxton Beach.

We have intensified our efforts to engage with the community to ensure residents are heard. We have held meetings, workshops, and focus groups that have provided valuable insights and fostered a sense of community ownership. This has resulted in a draft Community Plan that includes six areas: nature and environment, community, culture and heritage, commercial and tourism, infrastructure and transport, and recreation.

Each has a development team reporting to Foxton Futures Group, who discuss and develop Foxton and Foxton Beach, represented by the community b oard, HDC, Horizons Regional Council, Ngāti Raukawa, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, The Horowhenua Company, Save Our River Trust and business representatives.

Progress has been made upgrading infrastructure. The completion of Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park has created spaces that celebrate our cultural heritage and provide recreational opportunities for all.

We have worked with Horizons on the Te Awahou Foxton Climate Resilience Project, a follow-up to the Foxton East Drainage Scheme. Sheet piling work on Kings Canal begins soon.

We remain committed to environmental sustainability, proud of the development of the draft Papangaio Te Wharangi Manawatu Estuary Management Plan involving HDC, HRC, DoC, NZ Forest and Bird, and the Manawatu Estuary Trust.

Te Awahou Foxton Community Board remains dedicated to creating a thriving, resilient, and inclusive community. While we have made notable progress, there is still much work to be done. We are confident that with continued community engagement and strategic planning we can overcome challenges and achieve our goals.

Together, we will ensure that Foxton remains a place where everyone can live, work, and thrive. Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in our community’s growth and development.

I want to highlight some of our community services available:

Salvation Army drop in centre, Avenue Road, open 9am-2pm weekdays, except Thursday.   Foxton Districts Budget Services are behind them, open Mon, Wed and Thurs, 10am-3pm.

Heartland Services at 9 Ladies Mile provide free access to government, iwi and community services for rural communities in Foxton, Beach, Shannon Himatangi; Whānau Support; Alcohol/Mental Health Counselling. 

Some of their providers are Raukawa Whānau Ora, Best Care Whakapai Hauora, Mana o Te Tangata, Muaūpoko, Whai Oro Trust, Te Awahou Counselling, Think Hauora, Te Tihi, Te Whau Ora, Mash Trust, Workbridge; fortnightly psychologist by referral; health & wellness coach Jadyn (resistance band class every Wed 10am-11am  Boxfit Wed 1pm-2pm); breast cancer coordinator Ruth Poi assists with screening appointment support and follow-ups; Whānau violence resilience coordinator (Kelly Hume); Family Court advice (Miriana McGregor) monthly; IRD monthly; FGC OT (rooms available if whānau would rather use our space); GRG grandparents raising grandchild available by appointment.