Growing a sense of local community in Auckland

Many of us are blissfully unaware of how little we actually know about what's going on across the fence, down the road or around the corner: Eden.

Opinion

Most Aucklanders aged over thirty reflect fondly on childhoods where everyone knew everyone else; neighbours looked after each other's kids, always made time for a chat and generally kept an eye out for one another. But somewhere along the way, in the last twenty years or so, our focus has shifted away from local community - with many of us blissfully unaware of how little we actually know about what's going on across the fence, down the road or around the corner.

So what is it that's standing in the way of more connected communities? There's language barriers, high fences, an increase in working parents, isolation, high car usage, transience, longer working hours - and just general 'busy-ness'. And of course it's not lost on us that the influence of the internet and digital mobility has played a considerable role in fragmenting our communities.

Ironically in Neighbourly.co.nz we're helping to tackle the problem with the problem; introducing a tech-savvy way for neighbours to break down the barriers, increase their community presence, and build real-world relationships with people who live around them.

Recent studies show that Auckland scores the worst for 'community unity' in New Zealand. Yet the quick adoption of Neighbourly in Auckland (approximately 50% of Neighbourly members are Auckland-based) shows the desire for an effective and simple way for us city-folk to connect more closely with those who live nearby.

The Neighbourly Great Neighbour Survey showed 85 per cent of respondents want to know their neighbours better, but the challenge is we're just not seeing them around (71%).

Sites like Neighbourly give us a way to stay connected while on the run and away from home (Neighbourly app), form groups with others who share local concerns, create excuses for neighbours to talk to one another, and gives those with language barriers an opportunity to participate.

We'll only realise the benefits and value our neighbours can add to our lives when we take time to invest in our local community and start to make an effort. The shift in neighbourhood culture begins with us. Whether we're invested financially, emotionally, spiritually and/or- we need to make a conscious decision to participate in neighbourhood life - which will subsequently start to build a 'sense of community'.

Time is something you'll often hear urbanites say they don't have enough of - yet it's time that can make the difference between our neighbourhoods having a sense of community - and merely existing. And it doesn't have to be a lot of time either. If we want to reap the benefits of local community, we do need to be intentional about taking time for our neighbourhood. It's in our best interests to start making small changes now; who doesn't want to live in a community where people are keeping an eye out for one another's homes and children, homegrown produce swaps happen on your doorstep, and you're never more than a knock away from a friendly cuppa?

Ultimately, living in a connected and caring neighbourhood positively affects our well-being; when people know each other it fosters a sense of belonging and societal contribution.

Our neighbourhoods offer so many untapped opportunities when we sit back and remain disconnected from those living nextdoor. And while it's always heartwarming to read about neighbours connecting it's too often on the back of a local tragedy, natural disaster or other unexpected event. Let's not wait for tragedy to hit us before being neighbourly to the folks next door, behind the back fence, in the upstairs apartment, or down the street.

By and large, I believe Aucklanders are a friendly bunch - certainly open to the idea of getting to know those who live around them better.

So what does a sense of community look like in a World Class City? Neighbours welcoming new residents to their neighbourhood, people treating each other with respect and assuming the best despite differences, residents looking for creative ways to tackle problems together, no-one feeling isolated, and resources shared when the opportunity or need arises. An idealistic utopia or a possible reality? Well that's up to us to decide.

And how do we get the ball rolling? By all means start small - it may just be a simple knock on a neighbours door to say 'hello'. But whatever you do - start; doing something is better than nothing.

Seven easy ways to start building a sense of community

1) Join Neighbourly.co.nz or a community grapevine in for your neighbourhood. Being part of local social media platforms can lead to all sorts of positive face-to-face connections.

2) Knock on your neighbours door. Don't wait for an emergency to bring you closer together. You may have lived alongside one another for years but all it takes is one of you to make the first move for connections to begin.

3) Welcome newcomers. Make the time to introduce yourself to those who are new to your neighbourhood. Whether you stop by with fresh baking, home-grown produce or just a friendly smile, you'll make a big impact.

4) Create positive reasons to unite. It could be community BBQ, garage sale or working bee, an issue affecting the neighbourhood or a fundraiser for a local kindi. Let your neighbours know what's going on and encourage them to play a part.

5) Be the bridge. Learn to say 'hello' and 'how are you' in different languages spoken by residents in your area.

6) Invest in a pet or expand the family. Kids and dogs make fantastic ice breakers!

7) Be local. Shop local, volunteer local, dine local - explore what's available to you in your own community. Night schools, book groups, sports clubs, churches, farmers markets are all a great way to make more local 'real world' connections.