Whakapai Hauora takes the lead on annual City Ambassadors programme
Published on 19 December 2023
Palmerston North City Council’s Māngai Atawhai City Ambassadors programme has returned for its seventh year. The 4 ambassadors will be out and about in the streets near Te Marae o Hine The Square and they will be the go-to for all you need to know about events, attractions, and what’s on in Palmy this summer. Just look out for the orange shirts.
This year, the programme has been tendered out to Whakapai Hauora, part of Rangitāne o Manawatū and will be based out of the Palmy’s Got Talent centre at 93-96 The Square and the Unbox outside the iSite.
The programme kicked off on 15 December and will run until 2 February and will then return from 15 to 26 April for the school holidays.
The popular Unbox pop-up play has also returned, containing a range of games and activities for everyone to participate in while hanging out with the ambassadors.
The ambassadors have direct links to Police and social support services if needed.
Safety Advisory Board Chair, Councillor Pat Handcock says the programme is a benefit for all and another way to enjoy Te Marae o Hine The Square this summer.
“When we see people getting out and about in our city centre, it helps to encourage others to do the same which in turn creates a sense of security and helps to support local business.”
Danielle Harris, Whakapai Hauora Tumuaki says “it's great for us the iwi to be undertaking this role as it sits naturally within one of our pou of manaakitanga as a Te Tiriti partner to the Palmerston North City Council, a relationship we highly value”.
Our ambassadors are Conrad Millan, Lamarah Lackey, Nicole Van Der Lee and Tu-tekakenga Pauli (pictured above with Jodie Matenga-Philips from Palmy's Got Talent). It's the first time they've all taken part in the programme, and they're all eager to bring their skills and experience to the role.
They'll be based out of He Puna Pūkenga o Te Papaioea (#Palmy's Got Talent) kaupapa iwi talent management – a hub that focuses on supporting whānau who are committed to gaining sustainable employment. The hub works with whānau by tailoring training packages in civil infrastructure, construction and health, and supporting them in employment pathways.
It also provides pastoral care grounded in Rangitānenuirawa and matauranga Māori.
Palmerston North City Councillor Lorna Johnson says the ambassadors help to champion participation and a sense of community in the heart of our city centre.
“The ambassadors play a key role in engagement with residents and visitors to our city, helping to portray what a vibrant, welcoming city Palmy is to all.”
The programme, which has a budget of $71,000, links with the work of the Palmerston North Safety Advisory Board in maintaining Palmerston North’s Safe City Accreditation. The Safety Advisory Board is a collective of organisations aiming to improve community safety. Members include Council, Rangitāne o Manawatū, and government agencies.