We'll be hearing about the grassroots organising efforts of Ruth Gerzon and the newly formed WHARE group (Whakatāne Housing Reform Action Enthusiasts) to address the Whakatāne Council's inappropriate actions towards tiny home dwellers and other needed housing reforms and solutions for Whakatāne. Ruth will share with us her journey from wanting to be a force for good in her community by offering land to tiny home dwellers to confronting the council with a public meeting and then calling on them to respond with a strategy and in a collaborative way to addresses all the diverse housing needs the community has.

We will hear Ruth's strategy for community mobilisation and awareness raising, use of media to elevate the matter, her relationships with the council staff and elected members, the formation of WHARE, how Zola of Common Ground was brought in as a subject matter expert on community-led and regenerative housing and to support the community and the council to find "common ground", what WHARE are doing to hold council accountable to address meet the community's housing needs and aspirations, and what the Whakatāne Council could do differently (and better) as a response.

This is a model that other communities and local groups can learn from and replicate. It is a model that demonstrates a collaborative approach to working positively with council rather than seeing council as a force to fight against. It is a model for building community empowerment, for educating council and the community on community-led housing, for a regenerative approach to addressing the systemic challenges to improve housing delivery and outcomes in Aotearoa.

The presentation also gives councils around the country an inside look at what is happening at the grassroots of their communities (this is not just a Whakatāne issue). It is an invitation for councils to be proactive to support and enable community-led and regenerative housing initiatives rather than wait for housing issues to fester into an angry uprising, inflict further harm on vulnerable community members, and deteriorate the tapestry of its community.

In Ruth's words, "there is a clear and urgent need for all the Council to hear about this situation from their communities and explore how they can be of service to them. They are answerable to us, and some basic kindness and empathy needs to underpin both actions and policies."

The first half of the event will be Ruth's presentation with Q&A. The second half will be networking in small break out groups and discussions on the topic.

We welcome all women to attend and participate. Women, men, and gender diverse who are subscribed to the Common Ground newsletter or YouTube channel will be sent a link to the presentation once it's edited. We particularly want to extend this invitation to council staff and elected members and this topic also very pertinent to those seeking solutions for tiny home land access although anyone interested in housing system reform will benefit greatly.

Image credit: Huhana Hickey