What is the purpose of KaPai Kaiti? KaPai Kaiti was formed in 2000 by a group of Kaiti residents who wanted to make Kaiti an even better place to live in. We are a group of people who support this kaupapa and our members are mostly residents of Kaiti. The group consisted of a wide range of people of different ages, cultures, iwi, faiths and professions. The thing they were, and still are, committed to, was improving the community they love and live in. Membership is open to anyone who wants to join.   Who can be involved? Anyone can come along to a KaPai Kaiti event and community forums are held in the KaPai Kaiti office at 7pm on the first Monday of each month. Anyone is welcome to offer their time and skills to support the activities of KaPai Kaiti.   How is KaPai Kaiti structured? KaPai Kaiti operates on a very informal basis - people give what they can when they can. In 2002 the KaPai Kaiti Charitable Trust was established and Trustees are elected from the community on an annual basis. KaPai Kaiti members, Trustees and workers are mostly volunteers (other than a part-time paid administrator). We do it because we love our community, are keen to be good neighbours and want to keep the organisation as flexible and responsive as possible, so we try to avoid building bureaucracy. We are not in the business of providing social support to individuals or individual whanau but we are committed to the wellbeing of individuals and whanau living in Kaiti.   What are the things KaPai Kaiti putt effort into? - Supporting, where and when we can, anyone or any group who is doing, or planning to do, positive things in Kaiti (e.g. one-off events, neighbourhood projects, new facilities and services, clubs and organisations in Kaiti) - Providing opportunities for Kaiti residents to meet and share ideas, concerns and future plans with each other. - Research for and by Kaiti residents on our community and other relevant topics (whanau development, community development, indigenous urban housing, local government participation, etc.) - Liaising with local authorities and other organisations who have an interest in Kaiti, not to speak on behalf of Kaiti residents, but to: (a) provide suggestions on how decision-makers and service providers might better engage Kaiti residents to encourage participation; (b) provide information from research undertaken by and for Kaiti residents on relevant issues; (c) encourage links between groups and individuals who may be interested in the issues presented; and (d) challenge inappropriate, lazy, unjust or ineffective engagement and decision-making processes affecting Kaiti residents. How is KaPai Kaiti funded? Other than Community Organisations Grants Scheme (COGS), the Trust receives no government funding on an on-going basis. We do apply for small grants from philanthropic trusts and Lottery Grants. KaPai Kaiti receive no financial support from the Gisborne District Council.