Next Steps – Our Story
Next Steps was created through a shared vision between Social Services Waimakariri, Waimakariri District Council, and Hurunui District Council during the challenges of COVID-19. We recognised that in times of isolation and uncertainty, people needed a simple and stigma-free way to find help — a place where they could confidently take their next step toward support.
Over twelve months of collaboration, consultation, and design, we worked alongside Food Secure North Canterbury, local community organisations, iwi, and other partners to build a platform that truly reflects the needs of our region. The result is a living directory connecting people to community, social, government, and non-government supports across North Canterbury.
Next Steps empowers people to help themselves — reducing barriers, strengthening wellbeing, and promoting connection. From requesting a food parcel to finding social, economic, or mental health support, the site provides an easy pathway for anyone, regardless of circumstance, to access the right help at the right time.
This initiative continues to evolve as a community-led resource that enhances coordination between services, reduces duplication, and builds resilience. At its heart, Next Steps is about community empowerment — ensuring that everyone, from the newly vulnerable to those simply seeking connection, knows that help is close at hand, and that reaching out is a sign of strength, not stigma.
Guided By...
Te Whare Tapa Whā
Te Whare Tapa Whā is a model for health and wellbeing and describes a wharenui / meeting house with four walls.
These walls represent spritual wellbeing, mental and emotional wellbeing, physical wellbeing and family and social wellbeing.
Together Hurunui
Together Hurunui is a non-statutory network of social services operating in the Hurunui District and includes community groups, schools and health centres, NGO agencies, local council and central government. It endeavours to identify gaps in service provision and advocate for the right services to fill these through regular network events and communication.
What we do
- Coordinate regular network meeting that promotes dialogue and connections between the social service agencies operating in Hurunui district
- Identifies gaps in social service provision in Hurunui and supports projects, services and initiatives to meet these needs
- Provides regular communication and updates to the wider network
- Facilitates and/or implements projects that enhance wellbeing and social connectivity in Hurunui
Our three priorities
We aim to reduce drug related harm, poor mental health, and rising levels of poverty within our district and enhance the wellbeing of our communities.
Our objectives are:
- Improve access of food provision and information/education through our Snack Food in Schools and Mainpower Pantry projects.
- Minimise drug related harm in the Hurunui through community education workshops and engagement.
- Improve health and wellbeing for residents of the Hurunui district through the Next Steps Website, the slice of wellbeing project and an online campaign over Mental Health Awareness Week.
Related Projects
Snack food in Schools
Provides eight Hurunui schools with lunch box tops ups for school staff to pass on to hungry students.
Mainpower Pantry
Supplies three Hurunui schools with a freezer filled with family meals and nutritious lunch options for students and their families.
Slice of Wellbeing
Our wellbeing packs are filled with useful wellbeing resources and distributed throughout our rural community via our vet clinics and local Police.
Together Hurunui and its projects are funded externally through Department of Internal Affairs. The Mainpower Pantry and Snack Food in Schools projects are funded by
Mainpower.
Contact- Natalie Paterson
natalie.paterson@hurunui.govt.nz
027 1800 2773
Social Services Waimakariri
Who we are
Social Services Waimakariri (SSW) is a collaborative network of more than 50 community, government, education, and health organisations working together so people and whānau can access the right support, at the right time, in the right way.
The SSW Facilitator plays a central role in linking agencies, identifying service gaps, and coordinating collective action that removes barriers to access and creates equitable pathways to wellbeing.
Key projects and initiatives
- SSW supports and coordinates a range of collaborative, community-led projects that respond to local priorities and service gaps:
- Housing Response Working Group – driving solutions to housing insecurity and emergency accommodation needs.
- Food Secure North Canterbury (FSNC) – strengthening kai sovereignty, food access, redistribution, and local food mapping.
- Older Persons Support Project – addressing isolation, mental health, and service navigation for ageing populations.
- Next Steps Website – a regional online directory helping people and whānau easily
find the support they need. - Emergency Preparedness Collaboration – working with Civil Defence, councils, and community agencies to strengthen local welfare response.
- Social Sector Hui and Capability Building – bi-monthly gatherings connecting more than 50 providers for shared learning and coordinated planning.
- Advocacy and Policy Input – ensuring local voices shape regional and national discussions on housing, food, health, and social wellbeing.
The difference we make
Social Services Waimakariri acts as the backbone of our district’s social ecosystem—connecting people, systems, and services. Our work removes barriers, fosters equity, and enables collaboration that no single organisation could achieve alone.
Through this mahi, we ensure that everyone in Waimakariri is supported, heard, and able to thrive.
Funders
SSW is proudly funded by Department of Internal Affairs – Lotteries Grant & Rātā Foundation. Funding is held by Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust.
