Tēna koutou.

The RECAP team is back for 2024. We have some exciting projects, workshops and seminars coming up, so please keep your eye on our website and social media.

On behalf of the Christmas Hamper committee RECAP is a part of (alongside the Ashhurst Food Bank and members of the Ashhurst RSA) we’d like to acknowledge those who sponsored the Community Christmas Hampers in 2023: Ngā mihi nui to the Ashhurst/Pohangina Lions, Age Concern, The Ashhurst Memorial RSA, the RSA Women's League, RECAP, The Ashhurst Food Bank, Diane Bennett, The Ashhurst Christmas Parade, Woolworths New Zealand, River Church, Sanitarium, DKSH Distribution, Tastes of the UK, Just Zilch and everyone who made cash donations, donated food items or bought a raffle ticket.

The RECAP Crop Swap has been popular, so we’re hosting these monthly in 2024. You’ll find us on the first Saturday of every month at the Ashhurst Community Library (outside if it’s nice!) 11am-1pm kicking off in March. This is a sharing event where people can give and take freely (no need to give in order to take and visa versa). Bring produce, fruit, cuttings, seedlings, seeds and anything else gardening related.

Last year there was some kōrero on creating a neighborhood watch and/or community patrols in the area due to an uptick in crime. RECAP are happy to arrange a meeting with The Palmerston North/Manawatū reps for the community if interest is still there. Please contact info@recap.org.nz if you would be keen to get involved or have any thoughts or suggestions you’d like to share.

We have Volunteer Library Gardening happening most weeks led by our wonderful deputy chairperson Suzanne. She updates facebook/Ashhurst Chat each week with more detail, so if you’re keen to get involved check there or email: schelius@hotmail.com. Everyone—all levels of experience and ability— welcome. Bring gloves and tools if you have them. Otherwise, we will provide anything you might need. Mission is keeping the garden tidy as well as connecting and socialising. We garden for under an hour, then stop for a cuppa and cake. We are starting earlier (at 1pm) this year to provide more of a time-buffer for those who have school pick-up. Come along as a one-off or as a regular volunteer! We love to see new faces!

We will be running our Permaculture Garden Tour again later this year, and we’re on the lookout for new gardens to showcase. Although we focus on permaculture, anyone who grows food/flowers/natives with sustainable/regenerative methods is welcome to participate. It’s a wonderful chance to meet other like minded gardeners, and as a participant you often learn a lot from the attendees. This is a fundraising effort for RECAP with proceeds going toward our many and varied services and educational opportunities. Please get in touch (info@recap.org.nz) if you would like to be involved.

We’re also very excited to be running not one, but TWO garden clubs at Ashhurst school this year - one for the juniors and one for the seniors. We’re looking forward to tailoring this education to each age group and hoping the tamariki take this learning to their own backyards. A big ngā mihi to those organizations and individuals who have donated materials and time to the school māra over the past two years.

Our Seed Library (located within the Ashhurst Library) continues to be updated with seeds appropriate for the season. Thank you to the new volunteers who have joined us to help with this. We are always looking for donated seeds - especially those grown in our area. These can be dropped off to the Seed Library station.

And finally, RECAP Community Kai continues to provide rescued and donated kai to our residents. This happens on a Tuesday from 3:15-4:15 from the library back room (accessed through the garden area). This is not means tested and we ask no questions. Bring your own bag and select what you and your whānau will use. Some items have limits, and others you may take freely (please check the signage). We do not put out any items that are well past use by dates or appear perished, but please note most of what is available will be close to or past best before dates. Please use your eyes, nose and common sense before consuming. To find out more join facebook/RECAPcommunitykai.

Noho ora mai

Chris Love  - RECAP coordinator 

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