From the Chair November 2025

Community is the canvas on which we paint our shared dreams.

October was a month to be proud of. The Pukenui Jump and Skills Park is riding high and attracting new and burgeoning talent. Paihia Volunteer Fire Brigade hosted an informative and fun day at The Village Green to celebrate 60 years of service for our community. People I’ve spoken to told me that the Bay of Islands Walking Weekend was excellent. Town was buzzing over Labour Weekend with the Bay of Islands Festival and Savour Northland contributing a rich variety of colour, sound and tastes to our wider community.

Local elections called us to vote. Approximately 40 volunteers turned out to help on the Community Working Bee and Beach Clean-up. The first summer cruise ships brought a bustling vibe to town. We have the Farmers Market back on Thursday and, at the time of writing, Halloween is still to come.

A group of active people are tackling the weeds at the beginning of the School Road track and making an impact there.

Waitangi marked the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Māori Land March with an exhibition called, Te Matakite o Aotearoa. The National Maori Housing Conference was held at Waitangi last week.

I know there were even more events and activities and can only say what a vibrant community this is.

For Focus Paihia, we have bid a fond farewell to Pete Robinson, who, for family reasons, has moved to Taranaki. The Trustees have voted for me to step up and take the Chair. It’s only been a little over a week, and I am starting to grasp how much work Pete has put into this role. He has made a meaningful and enduring contribution to our community. We are grateful and wish him and his family well.

Ngā mihi nui

Tricia Scott,

Chair