SUPPORTING LOCAL CHILDREN

For many years, Rodney Health Trust (RHT) has quietly supported the Warkworth and wider community with health-related needs, stepping in where gaps in public funding leave families without options.

Established in 1977 by local volunteers, the trust is guided today by a board of trustees including founding member Wendy Hawkings, Chairperson Sara Lewis, and several dedicated community representatives. Their mission is clear: to ensure that vital healthcare is available to those who need it most.

Three years ago, the trust turned its attention to schools, where it became clear that long waits for psychological assessments were leaving children and teachers without support. In some cases, students had been waiting more than two years for Ministry of Education (MOE) funding approval.

To address this, RHT launched a pilot programme at Warkworth School, providing $36,000 for assessments that proved life-changing for four of the five children involved. Encouraged by this success, the trust expanded its commitment in 2024 to $62,000, covering more student assessments and enabling the school to source MOE funding – providing teachers with training to better support children in their classrooms.

This year, the initiative grew again, extending to Snells Beach School with $90,000 in funding for assessments between both schools. As word spread, requests quickly followed from Kaipara Flats, Pakiri, Horizon, Leigh and Matakana schools, highlighting just how widespread demand is. Years of underfunding has created a backlog, where unmet needs not only affect individual children but ripple out to classmates and teachers as well.

The results so far have been significant: children are thriving with tailored support, teachers are gaining practical skills, and classrooms are calmer, more productive environments.

To sustain and expand this work, RHT is now seeking public support to build a dedicated fund for assessments and ongoing teacher training. Every donation – large or small – will be combined with trust funding, directly supporting local schools to prioritise children most in need.

The goal is simple but powerful: give children the right support early, and they have a far stronger chance to thrive through secondary school and beyond. With community backing, this initiative can bring lasting change for local families, classrooms, and the future of Rodney.

Chris.Murphy@realliving.co.nz | Hamish.Buick@police.govt.nz