Great Start is a community initiative in Taita, Lower Hutt that is all about connecting people to people and building a stronger community. A loose, informal collaboration of lots of different community groups, service providers and residents who live and work in the area, they are all interested in making Taita a great place to live.

Some of the activities and ideas that have been implemented by Great Start include a small toy library, a community garden and now a new community sewing and craft room.

The sewing room will be available to members of the community to come in and do small mending jobs, make their own clothes, crafts or furnishings. The Great Start team are also keen to set up a ‘sewing circle' and will be encouraging people to come together to share their skills with others.

“Thank you for your kindness and generosity in donating a new sewing machine to our community sewing initiative.
We have been fortunate to have received several other pre-loved machines from caring donors, and as a result, our families in Taita and Pomare now have access to the tools and a space which will enable them to mend, sew and create for themselves and their families.  In the beginning, we dreamed of one sewing machine that someone could come and use, but now we are dreaming of craft classes and sewing groups, where people can come together and share skills and friendship.”

Noho ora mai ra
The Team at The Great Start House.