New Neighbourhood Support Co-ordinator

Local business owner, rugby supporter and coach, Mark Shepherd has been appointed to the part-time position of Neighbourhood Support Co-ordinator for the South Wairarapa.

Formerly from Christchurch where he did his schooling, Mark has been, until recently, branch manager with Mastertrade in the Hutt and Mico Plumbing Supplies in Wellington and Masterton, but now operates several part-time businesses in the Wairarapa.

Mark says he likes working with people and will bring skills in management, teamwork, networking, group relationship building and planning to the role. “I have lived in Featherston for the past seven years and during this time I’ve got to know quite a few of the locals in this relatively close community,” says Mark. “They are all awesome people with a strong community spirit and have a desire to make Featherston and the South Wairarapa a safe and great place to live for their families and friends.”

“My rugby and cricketing involvement in both Featherston and Greytown has brought me into contact with a good cross section of the community,” he says. “I am really looking forward to the opportunity of meeting the existing Neighbourhood Support groups in South Wairarapa and exploring ways to further this community’s involvement and setting up of some new groups.”

Assistant Manager for Connecting Communities Wairarapa, Sarah Taylor-Waitere says Marks appointment follows the resignation of Robyn Ramsden who had been in the role for two and a half years as a volunteer.

“The role has been expanded to include the whole of the South Wairarapa district and Mark will be responsible for developing and growing the neighbourhood support groups and networks in this urban and rural community,” says Sarah.

“Neighbourhood Support aims to make our communities safer and more caring places in which to live and it is crucial that the South Wairarapa’s community involvement is expanded by active participation and by becoming a member of a local Neighbourhood Support group.”

The South Wairarapa Neighbourhood Support Co-ordinator’s position will be initially for nine hours per week, report to the Manager Connecting Communities Wairarapa and work collectively with the Masterton and Carterton Neighbourhood Support Co-ordinators.

Mark is also a member of the Featherston Muay Thai Club who practise kickboxing and was previously a member of the local Featherston Community Patrol unit.

He is in the process of starting to build Neighbourhood Support groups within Martinborough and the outlying areas, so if you are interested in being part of one of these very worthwhile groups please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mark on
027 883 6036 or email mark@connectingcommunities.org.nz