Taking the first steps together: quiet, collective action in Whaingaroa in response to the fuel shortage.
In response to the fuel shortage, the Whaingaroa community came together to discuss challenges and start planning local solutions for fuel, food, and healthcare, ensuring support for the most vulnerable while building long-term resilience.
In response to the potential fuel and diesel shortage in Aotearoa, the Whaingaroa community came together to act. With only a few days’ notice, a call went out via social media and local email networks. By the time the hui began at the Raglan Community House, over 40 people had gathered—a mix of concerned citizens, local organisations, businesses, health providers, skilled individuals, and those with strong connections through mana whenua.
The hui was instigated by Councillor Lisa Thomson and a friend, who had noticed the growing worry in the community and decided to act. “Let’s do something, from a place of strength,” Lisa said. People arrived anxious and unsure, but willing to work together to find solutions. Lisa, representing Raglan Naturally and Toitū Whaingaroa—a group committed to tackling big challenges through partnership guided by Te Tiriti—helped hold space for collective thinking and planning.
The purpose of the hui was clear: to scope out the community’s likely needs, identify gaps, and map next steps. The discussion was solution-focused, centred on what abundance could be created locally rather than simply “scraping by.” The community explored ways to respond to the fuel shortage while also addressing broader challenges like the cost-of-living, access to medical care, and distribution of food to vulnerable whānau, both in Whaingaroa and in smaller, more remote communities.
Rick Thorpe encouraged the group to see this crisis as an opportunity to build long-lasting, systemic solutions for energy, fuel, and food resilience. He reminded everyone that Whaingaroa has a history of responding to urgent challenges in ways that evolve into enduring, transformative solutions. Initiatives like Xtreme Zero Waste and Raglan Harbour Care began as immediate community responses and grew into long-term, community-led movements with lasting environmental and social impact. The same practical, innovative, and collective spirit was alive in the room tonight.
Mike Edmonds, a board member of Raglan Naturally representing the hapū of Tainui o Tainui and manager of Te Toi Ora, a marae-based health clinic providing free services to everyone in the local area, reflected on the importance of community care and unity. He reminded the group that many whānau already struggle to access medical appointments, afford healthcare, or put food on the table—and that this crisis will only make it worse. He spoke strongly about kotahitanga, unity through diversity, and the need for collective action that cares for the whole community. “This is the most beautiful community I have ever known,” he said. “I’m proud to be part of it and to play my role here.”
Teresa from Raglan Medical highlighted the importance of connection and clarity in moments like this. “People don’t really understand what’s going on and are worried, but they don’t know what to do,” she said. “They’re already struggling to cope, and now this is another challenge beyond their control. Just being here, connected to others, is really special. It helps people know they’re not on their own. There is a collective desire and action to find locally led solutions.”
The hui also reflected an awareness of the wealth and privilege gap in Raglan. What stood out was the community’s acknowledgement that next steps must meet people where they are—open to everyone who wants to contribute to solutions, especially those deeply connected to the community but isolated, overwhelmed, or vulnerable. The focus is on ensuring everyone knows what’s happening and how to access support as the situation unfolds.
Mike Rarere from the Raglan Community House expressed gratitude to Raglan Naturally for calling the hui together. The Community House already works to support the whole community, particularly the most vulnerable, and this meeting strengthens the collective capacity to respond proactively.
Practical concerns were also explored: fuel affordability and availability, the impact on transport for work, school, and medical appointments, the reliance on diesel for food and essential services, power reliability, and access to medications and communication. Working groups formed naturally around key focus areas, with leaders and teams committed to developing actionable, locally driven solutions.
By the end of the evening, roles were taken, ideas were captured, and next steps plotted. There was a shared sense of commitment to care for the whole community, especially the most vulnerable, and to proactively prepare for the crisis while keeping momentum for longer-term change. The group will meet again next week with an open invitation to all who want to offer support, ideas, or resources—or who need assistance.
As part of the reflections, the group acknowledged that long-standing government cuts to social and health services have made crises like this harder to manage. Many organisations and community providers are already stretched thin, and vulnerable whānau are often left to bear the brunt of these shortages. Resilience in this context is hard-won, but Whaingaroa has a long, rich heritage of localised, collective action. This hui is seen as another opportunity to showcase the care, innovation, and shared responsibility that make Whaingaroa so special as a community.
This hui is more than a response to a fuel shortage. It is a demonstration of local resilience, collective care, and community-led solutions. It is a commitment to ensuring that Whaingaroa—and the wider network of smaller, remote communities—can not only face disruption, but thrive through it.
Small fires have been lit. And together, they are beginning to form something steady, enduring, and strong.
