http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.commongood.org.nz en-us Thu, 07 May 2026 22:19:22 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/post/144847/agm-2026-27th-may--register-here/ The annual Common Good Foundation AGM will be held at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Wednesday 27th of May 2025.The AGM will begin with the 12:05pm weekday Mass and the meeting will follow in the Mission room of the Cathedral Hall (the space that is directly in front of the large kitchen).To register click here.Any question or queries please contact Caroline at admin@commongood.org.nz... Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/#post144847 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/post/157889/good-news-community-centre-a-hub-of-connection-and-care/ Since opening its doors in July 2014, the Good News Community Centre has become a vibrant hub for the Hamilton community. More than just a building, it’s a place where people gather, connect, and grow together. With its welcoming atmosphere and versatile facilities, the centre has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of local life.The centre offers fantastic facilities that cater to both regular groups and one-off events. Whether you’re planning a community gathering, a family celebra... Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:49:00 +1300 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/#post157889 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/post/152768/empowering-through-community-and-connection-the-work-of-roc-trust/ Settling into a new country is never easy. For refugees arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand, the challenges can feel overwhelming – from navigating daily life to finding a sense of belonging. That’s where the Refugee Orientation Centre (ROC Trust) steps in. Based in Hamilton, ROC Trust is dedicated to helping newcomers build confidence, skills, and community connections that allow them to thrive.... Fri, 02 Jan 2026 11:49:00 +1300 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/#post152768 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/post/158356/aroha-in-action/ Before life unravelled beneath him, Tēwa admits he used to judge people doing it tough. He thought he understood their situation from the outside. Now, he says, he takes it all back.Everything changed the day he lost his wife to COVID‑19. Grief hit hard, and the home they once shared slipped away soon after. Within weeks, Tēwa found himself sleeping in his car, navigating a world he never imagined he’d be part of.“I hadn’t had a shower in four days,” he recalls. “As soon as I saw t... Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:55:00 +1300 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/#post158356 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/post/158282/i-bounce-back--and-carry-on/ Across Aotearoa, classrooms are buzzing with energy, confidence, and kindness thanks to Kiwi Can – a life skills and values programme delivered weekly to every child in participating schools. Led by trained Kiwi Can leaders, the programme equips tamariki with the tools they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.Principals consistently report remarkable changes: truancy and bullying are decreasing, while positive interactions and teamwork are on the rise. With Kiwi Can now empowe... Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/#post158282 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/post/158167/school-start-first-impressions-reaches-national-news/ A recent feature for School Start First Impressions (SSFI) on Seven Sharp shows how our funding has been used to positively impact the community. SSFI is an amazing charity that creates school bag packages and provides uniforms for children in need. These school starter packs include a school bag, lunchbox, drink bottle, stationary and uniform. The way they work is through referral agencies which can be GP or social workers who can apply for a package and pass it on to the child. This allows for... Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:30:09 +1300 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/#post158167 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/post/157958/mara-kai-food-garden-at-st-peter-chanel-whakatane-Aotearoa-new-zealand/ “Miharo! Tenei te mihi kia tatou katoa. Joy! This is my humble message to everyone.”   (Bonnie Savage, Social Issues Secretary, National Board, Catholic Women’s League Āotearoa New Zealand)This blog has been adapted from an article supplied by Bonnie Savage.Over the past five years, there has been a slow and steady movement towards introducing edible landscaping at St Peter Chanel premises in Whakatāne, Āotearoa New Zealand. Already within a relatively short time bananas have been ... Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/#post157958 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/post/157921/seeds-of-hope-2025-26-grant-recipients/ The Common Good Foundation is honored to announce our 2025/26 Grant Recipients. Each of these organisations has applied for support to meet a specific need or project, and we look forward to sharing their progress as the year unfolds. To learn more about each group, simply click on the name of the recipient to be directed to their website. In the spirit of Pope Leo XIV’s exhortation Dilexit Te [To all Christians, on love for the poor]: “Hope is the light that never fades, even when the ... Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/#post157921 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/post/157957/love-them-both/ Caroline: Thanks for sitting down with me, Janice. I’m really keen to hear more about Pregnancy Choice. To start us off, what drives your work? Janice: Honestly, it all comes down to truth and love. We walk alongside people facing an unexpected pregnancy, making sure they have accurate information about their baby’s development and offering practical support — things like clothing or care packages for mum and baby. We don’t provide abortion referrals, but we do talk openly about the rea... Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/#post157957 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/post/151667/waikato-family-centre-nurturing-futures-through-compassionate-care/ Thanks to your generous support, the Waikato Family Centre has continued to be a lifeline for families/whānau across the region—providing vital child and maternal health services to communities from Thames to Tokoroa and beyond. Your contribution directly funded core operating costs, allowing our team to focus on what matters most: empowering parents and supporting babies and children under two.In 2024 alone, our Registered Nurses cared for 831 new families, with over 5,000 presentations. Whe... Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.commongood.org.nz/blog/#post151667