From the Chair - July 20

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention."  -Oscar Wilde

As we turn the calendar to July, we are reflecting on what has been one of the most heartwarming initiatives Focus Paihia has been involved with this year. Throughout June, our Facebook page hosted The Big Shout Out, a month-long celebration of the volunteers who quietly and tirelessly make Paihia and the wider Bay of Islands such a wonderful place to live, work and visit. Over the course of the month we shared 28 Big Shout Outs, recognising local legends from sports clubs, community organisations, environmental groups, arts and cultural initiatives and countless other corners of our community.

The response was overwhelming. Not only did we enjoy celebrating these incredible individuals, but many in our community told us how much they loved learning more about the people working behind the scenes to make things happen. These stories deserve to live on beyond social media, so all 28 Big Shout Outs will be compiled into a book which will be available to browse at the Focus Paihia Op Shop.

We hope locals and visitors alike will enjoy discovering the faces and stories behind some of the people who help make our community thrive.

While June was about celebrating those who give their time to our community, July is about supporting the projects and initiatives that continue to make Paihia special. From today, applications are officially open for the 2026/27 Paihia Art Market season. Operating on cruise ship days between September and May, the market showcases local artists, makers and craftspeople to thousands of visitors each season and has become one of Northland's most authentic artisan markets. Whether you are a full-time creative or a passionate hobbyist, we encourage local artisans to apply and be part of another exciting season on the Village Green.

Today also marks the opening of applications for the annual Art, Culture and Sport Grant, with a contestable fund of $10,000 available to support local organisations and projects that enrich our community through arts, culture and sport. Previous recipients have included sports clubs, youth programmes, cultural organisations and community groups undertaking projects that benefit the wider Bay of Islands community. Applications are open from 1 July - 31 August.

If you have a project, programme or initiative that could benefit from support, or if you're a local creative interested in joining this season's market, we encourage you to visit our website and apply.

There are also a couple of important dates to mark in your diaries. On Saturday 11 July, the community will come together at Waitangi Mountain Bike Park for their inaugural Matariki celebrations - a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the Māori New Year with whānau, friends and community. Looking further ahead, save the date for Friday 4 December and start getting those creative juices flowing, with Business Bay of Islands announcing the theme for this year's Paihia Christmas Parade as "The Circus Is In Town". Whether you're planning a float, costumes or simply coming along to enjoy the spectacle, both events promise to be highlights on the community calendar and are not to be missed!

With Warm Regards,Tricia Scott - Focus Paihia Chair