Official opening for Citycare Property Whangārei depot

On Wednesday, 2 November, Citycare Property Whangarei welcomed a select group of invited guests to the official ‘opening’ of its new base of operations. 

Representatives from the local hapu, Te Parawhau, Ministry of Social Development, Whangārei District Council and the Citycare Property executive joined Branch Manager Dan Isaac and the rest of the Whangārei team at a breakfast celebration and dedication for the premises.

Citycare Property Chief Executive, Peter Lord holds the framed map presented to him by kaumatua Mike Kake (Te Parawhau).

Kaumatua Mike Kake opened the proceedings with a welcome on behalf of local iwi before being joined in waiata by Hinemoa Apetera, Rina Tahitahi, Nicki Wakefield and Māori Ward councillor, Deb Harding.

Then it was the turn of the Citycare Property executive, led by CEO, Peter Lord, to respond, with each sharing their individual pepeha before the entire Citycare Property team performed the Te Aroha waiata. At the close of the official proceedings, Mike Kake presented Peter Lord with a framed map of all the marae located throughout the Whangārei District. Then Nicki Wakefield led the group in a blessing of the kai before everyone broke to share a meal and fellowship. 

Members of the Citycare Property Executive Team with Whangārei Branch Manager, Dan Isaac (second from right) at the opening.

After the ceremony, Citycare Property General Manager – Customer Engagement, Lee Gardiner said: “Having the opportunity to be here this morning to open our new depot and to be welcomed by members of Te Parawhau, has been incredibly moving. Citycare Property is very proud to have been awarded the Parks and Gardens Maintenance Contract and our focus is on connecting the local community with these parks and spaces, helping with sustainability in the area and working with the local rūnanga on employment pathways.”

Whangārei District Council’s Technical Officer – Parks, Spencer Jellyman addresses the assembled guests.

Whangārei District Council’s Technical Officer – Parks, Spencer Jellyman, added: “Part of my role is to manage the Parks and Gardens Maintenance contract for council and seeing the commitment that Citycare Property has made here today, along with the unbelievable amount of positive feedback we're getting from the public, even about simple things like the mowing of grass, shows that everyone has appreciated Citycare Property's efforts so far.”

Then it was time for the team to pick up their tools and get down to the work of enhancing the wellbeing of our communities in Whangārei.