The Aranui Community Renewal project has a new partner with the formation of the Aranui Community Trust Incorporated Society (ACTIS).

ACTIS is a group of Wainoni and Aranui community residents which has formalised its standing into a legally recognised partner alongside Housing New Zealand and Christchurch City Council.

An office to house the newly recognised group has opened at 37 Hampshire Street and will be the new base for Rachael Fonotia, Aranui Community Trust Co-ordinator. An office manager will also be appointed soon and be based there.

The second stage of the Wainoni Park development has begun. A new toilet block/changing rooms building attached to the Wainoni/Aranui Family Centre is nearly finished. A project group will be formed to develop artwork ideas from the community to be incorporated into features for the park. Anyone interested in contributing ideas should contact Rachael Fonotia on 373 9044.

Another AFFIRM festival will be held this year and should be as well supported and popular as the two previous ones.

The main points of focus for the Aranui Community Renewal project this year are training and employment, and another gathering of health practitioners.

An Aranui Pacific Fono is another event to watch out for.