There’s something special about neighbours coming together over a simple sausage sizzle—and on June 21st, 2025, the residents of Twin Parks in Papakura experienced exactly that. Their very first Street Meet, held at the corner of Twin Parks Rise and Okawa Ave, showed just how powerful local connection can be when it’s built face-to-face, one handshake at a time.

These grassroots events are part of a growing movement across Papakura to strengthen neighbourhood bonds and prepare our communities for the unexpected. They’re free, led by locals, and designed to turn streets into support networks. In a district increasingly exposed to extreme weather and rapid growth, these meetups are about more than just food—they’re about building resilience from the ground up.

Anil Singh, a local mortgage broker and the Street Leader for Twin Parks, was thrilled with how the day turned out:

“The inaugural Street Meet at Twin Parks on 21/06/25 was a great success, bringing neighbours together in a relaxed and friendly setting. These free, community-led gatherings play a vital role in strengthening local connections, building trust, and fostering a sense of belonging. By simply sharing a sausage sizzle and a few conversations, residents had the opportunity to meet face-to-face, exchange stories, and lay the foundation for a more resilient and supportive neighbourhood. Events like this highlight the power of community in creating safer, more connected streets.”
— Anil Singh (Mortgage Broker) from Loan Market

Papakura’s Street Meets aren’t just feel-good moments—they’re a practical part of the Papakura Community Resilience Network (CRN) and the wider district’s disaster readiness strategy. When neighbours know each other, they’re quicker to share information, help during emergencies, and check in when things go sideways. It’s a lesson we’ve seen repeated after floods, storms, and pandemics alike.

And best of all, Street Meets are simple. There’s no agenda, no speeches—just kai, kōrero, and community. It’s resilience disguised as a good time.

For anyone else in the Papakura area thinking, “We should do one of those on our street,” the CRN can help. Street kits, flyers, guidance, and even a sausage sizzle or two can be sorted. Whether you live in Drury, Red Hill, Takanini, or right in Papakura Town Centre, all it takes is one person to kick things off.

Want one on your street?

If you live in the Papakura Local Board area and reckon your neighbourhood could do with a little more connection, the Community Resilience Network (CRN) would love to help. Just email [email protected] to get started.