Doing our bit.
At Planalytics, we believe in less talk and more action. This page showcases how we engage with our local Wairarapa community to contribute— in our own small way— to meaningful change and better outcomes for everyone.
Each of the projects featured here was undertaken pro bono, reflecting our commitment to giving back through our time, skills, and expertise. Contributing to the wellbeing of our communities is a core part of our kaupapa, and we proudly support initiatives that strengthen local voices and solutions.
We also encourage other businesses to step up, get involved, and make a difference—because collective action leads to stronger communities.
KIA KAHA TE REO MĀORI
Like Aotearoa-based card game company Mātauranga Games, Planalytics believes in the importance of promoting Te Reo Māori. After discovering their “Whitu” card game earlier this year, Planalytics chose to welcome the new kaiako of Māori Performing Arts at Kuranui College, Warren Maxwell, with a gift of two packs for his classroom.
Having majored in languages, Planalytics’ Tiff North believes learning through play is a great way to acquire a language and hopes the ākonga (students) at Kuranui feel the same. Tiff is currently enjoying a Kawhe & Kōrero class in Featherston to advance her own learning – karawhiua, Tiff!
FEATHERSTON FIRST FRIDAYS
A much-loved community festival is returning to the Featherston ‘Squircle’ (town square) for summer. Championed by two local women who got the original ball rolling in 2016, First Fridays bring the community together with music, art, and fun in a shared space. In the United States, similar events attract thousands in cities like Philadelphia and Knoxville. While the scale of Featherston First Fridays is smaller, the sense of community is just as strong.
Planalytics’ Tiff North, a Featherston resident, has joined a new team of organisers behind First Fridays. Among other duties, Tiff designed a vibrant poster to promote the event both in print and online. Be sure to head to the Squircle this summer!
Planalytics created and funded the printing of this poster. Check out Featherston First Fridays on Facebook to learn more.
Carterton Swimming Club
A key community asset, the Carterton indoor pool building is in need of replacement. Planalytics is assisting the Carterton Swimming Club to formalise a strategy to fundraise for and progress the indoor pool upgrade project. To date, this has included connecting stakeholders, facilitating meetings, preparing infographics and other visual aids, and supporting initial project set-up and management.
We congratulate the Swimming Club on its recent fundraising win at Ka Pai SOUP round five and look forward to continuing our support for the indoor pool upgrade as needed. It’s heartening to see the Carterton community rally behind the Swimming Club in support of this ambitious undertaking.
Russell Geange, Barry Wingate, and Kellee McCurdy from the Carterton Swimming Club; Lucy McKenzie and Cimon Grayson from Ka Pai Carterton; and Tiff North from Planalytics NZ Ltd, June 2021.
The pantry challenge
Planalytics recently teamed up with local chef and caterer Ant North to launch the ‘Pantry Challenge’. This initiative features online cooking demonstrations using ingredients commonly found in food parcels (such as those provided by Food Banks) to create quick and healthy meals. The Pantry Challenge also includes the design and production of recipe cards to be included in donated food parcels. Planalytics supported Ant in producing and sharing the online cooking videos, as well as designing and applying for funding to print the recipe cards.
JOY for generations
Based in Carterton and working across Wairarapa, Joy for Generations was a wonderful organisation focused on leading initiatives that foster joy by connecting generations within our community. This included organising intergenerational playgroups and workshops, as well as delivering projects aimed at reducing loneliness among our ageing population. Planalytics supported Joy for Generations by developing an infographic on loneliness in Wairarapa, provided on a pro bono basis.
wairarapa community networks
Wairarapa Community Networks (WCN) facilitates networking and information-sharing among organisations working within, and for, our Wairarapa communities. WCN holds regular meetings in Carterton, Masterton, and South Wairarapa, bringing together a range of groups - from community sports to social service providers, charities, and local and central government agencies. The WCN networking forums build capability across the wider professional community to support better outcomes in Wairarapa. Planalytics attends as many WCN meetings as possible and also provides data visualisation services on a pro bono basis when needed.
Massey university lectures
Planalytics regularly delivers guest lectures and webinars for Massey University’s School of People, Environment and Planning. We value education at all levels and are always thrilled to engage with planning students and practitioners on a range of topics. During the unusual course of 2020, Lucy delivered webinars on section 32 evaluations (RMA) and on wellbeing and the RMA. In recent years, Toni has presented in-person lectures on planning barriers for prefabricated housing and on planning in the Middle East.
Dress for success
Seriously, what’s not to love about Dress for Success? This initiative empowers women (and more recently, men) to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools. In July 2020, we attended the opening celebration of the new Dress for Success premises in Masterton and donated a box of bubbly goodness to mark the occasion. Planalytics also served as a drop-off point for Dress for Success in the Wellington region. Unfortunately, the Dress for Success Wairarapa hub has now closed. We encourage people to take their clothing donations to the Wellington or Lower Hutt hubs.
ucol wairarapa
In June 2020, Planalytics sponsored a UCOL Wairarapa Carpentry student to attend PrefabNZ’s COLAB20 conference. Originally planned for Wellington, COLAB20 was delivered via a virtual conferencing platform due to COVID-19. Planalytics recognises the importance of students having access to the latest industry knowledge and practitioners, and thoroughly enjoyed being part of this experience.
collier reserve, greytown
Planalytics is fortunate to work in a beautiful small town, full of trees. Just around the corner from our office is Collier Reserve, a lovely spot that was somewhat under-utilised. As regular visitors to the reserve, we felt it could benefit from a BBQ table for locals and visitors alike. Planalytics approached South Wairarapa District Council with an offer to donate a BBQ table. The Council quickly accepted, and as a result, a table is now installed. Planalytics is proud to have made this contribution to our community and encourages other businesses to invest in our towns.
Greytown tree advisory group
The Greytown Tree Advisory Group (TAG) aims to raise public awareness of the vital role trees play in Greytown’s heritage. In 2019, TAG made a submission on South Wairarapa District Council’s Plan Change to update the Register of Notable Trees. Planalytics provided planning support on a no-charge basis, including preparing expert planning evidence and attending the planning hearing. The planning process can be daunting for community groups, so Planalytics is happy to help where possible. Planalytics also assisted(!) TAG with tree planting along the Greytown Rail Trail in August 2020.
