We Care: Citycare Property Community Partnerships in South Auckland

For the past eight years, Citycare Property has been privileged to support communities across South Auckland through facilities management and open space maintenance. Our approach to giving back for this privilege is simple: we listen, we collaborate, and we act in ways that reflect local needs and our organisational values.

Community Partnerships Lead Jody Deer works directly with communities to develop connections, build trust, and understand how we can provide practical support. Jody was a former Soft Services Manager and Subcontractor Manager at Citycare Property, and now as a Community Partnerships Lead, her skills, connections, and understanding of Citycare Property’s operational delivery comes together in this role. Her passion for the work she does is contagious.  

“It’s about walking alongside people,” says Jody. “We ask how we can help, we listen, and we make sure what we do actually makes a difference.” 

“I’m proud of what we do,” she adds. “We’re not just ticking boxes. We’re building something real with the communities we care for.” 

Hāpai Te Hapori (Uplift the Community) 

One example of our community-focused work is through the Hāpai Te Hapori Programme, which partners with local sports clubs to deliver contract services. The goal is to create local jobs, build skills, and foster community pride. We provide the same training we offer our own staff, and the clubs employ their members, keeping people close to home and connected to their neighbourhoods.

We’ve partnered with clubs including the Scorpion League Association, Ngāti Ōtara Sports Club, and the Manurewa Marlins Rugby League. Rather than outsourcing to external suppliers, we’ve worked alongside these clubs to help them deliver services for their own communities. Today, they’re contracted Citycare Property suppliers, providing litter collection, bin services, and amenity cleaning. 

“Supporting local procurement and empowering grassroots sports clubs is close to my heart,” says Jody.  

“I’m proud to be part of a movement that values practical, people-first solutions.” 

“We’ve taken them under our korowai,” she adds. “They’re their own entity, but they’re also part of our journey. It’s a stepping stone for them and a win for the whole community.” 

Community Kai Garden Boxes 

With the rising cost of kai (food), we’ve launched an initiative to provide large garden boxes to communities, churches, and schools across five Local Board areas in South Auckland: Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Ōtāhuhu-Māngere, Manurewa, Papakura, and Franklin. These vegetable gardens encourage people to grow their own food and give tamariki (children) a chance to connect with the whenua (land), learning how to care for the environment. 

“Our garden boxes are a small contribution with a big purpose, helping nourish communities. I’m grateful to be part of this kaupapa. It brings joy to so many. You can't put a price on joy - it's priceless,” says Jody.  

Our kaimahi (staff) build and deliver the garden boxes, setting them up ready for planting. They even share their horticultural knowledge and teach tamariki how to care for the plants. Local businesses that are suppliers to Citycare Property like Zealandia and Horticentre in Drury support the initiative by donating seedlings, soil, fertiliser, and tools. 

Community Litter Collection 

Ka ora whenua, ka ora te tangata. When the land is well, we are well. This concept is central to many indigenous perspectives, especially in Te Ao Māori, where the wellbeing of the whenua (land) directly affects the wellbeing of the tangata (people). 

We organise litter collections in areas that need them, mobilising volunteers from a wide range of community groups. 

“Our relationships with different communities and ethnic groups are a real privilege,” shares Jody. “Whenever we need volunteers for clean-ups, there’s always a group who answers the call.”

Together with our supplier Civic Waste, we’ve collected hundreds of kilograms of rubbish and have disposed of them responsibly and sustainably. 

It’s another way we show care for the communities we serve and the taiao (natural environment). 

Citycare Property’s work in South Auckland reflects our commitment to community wellbeing. Together with our partners, kaimahi, and community leaders, we’re helping to build stronger, more capable communities. Because when we care for people and place, we can create lasting change.