in the news

See some of the latest news coverage of Eastbay REAPs activities and programmes.

Eastbay REAP celebrates huge social return to Eastern Bay communities

Learn more

White Ribbon launches North Island Ride

The White Ribbon Riders launched this year’s ride in Whakatāne and Kawerau

Celebrating the best in business

A new selection of Eastern Bay businesses have trophies proudly display after the eekend’s Horizon Energy Group Business Excellence Awards

Learning service sees huge social return

Eastbay REAP’s adult and community education programme has a social value of more than $3 million a year

Volunteer Expo connecting community

Over 300 people attended the recent Volunteer Expo, connecting with local charities and community groups

Kōrero Ngātahi – making early childhood education accessible

EASTBAY REAP’s Kōrero Ngātahi – Let’s Talk Together programme is bringing free early childhood education resources into the homes of whānau throughout the Eastern Bay

Calendar promotes wrapping babies with talk

A local collaboration is extending its reach with the launch of a calendar guiding whānau on how to wrap their babies in language – and why it is important.

Kawerau’s first Diversity Day a success

Kawerau held it’s first Cultural Diversity Day last week to celebrate the various nationalities within it’s township

Whakatāne young advisers open Youth Week at Parliament

Two local youth advisers travelled to Wellington to open Youth Week at parliament.

First free store opens

Kawerau Free Store is today celebrating the opening of it’s recently acquired new premises in Onslow Street

Busy year for Halo Whakatāne

More than 4000 Eastern Bay students have been part of grassroots environmental action this year

Light part a heroic success

The Kawerau community came together on October 31 to put on the first Kawerau Light Party for 15 years

ISK to widen its scope

Industrial symbiosis Kawerau has widened its scope beyond the town from which it is named

Busy as bees around the hive

Lots of tiny tots were busy as bees at Julian’s Berry Farm

Science sparks joy at the library

Eastbay REAP jumped on board to celebrate the 10th birthday of Te Kōputu, Whakatāne’s library and exhibition centre

Lifelong learning drives team

Eastbay REAP’s kaupapa is lifelong learning, community & development, its CEO says the organisation is very much about empowering people through education.

Eastern Bay teens lead from the front

EASTERN Bay youth did the region proud at a Blue Light life skills camp in Taupo earlier this month

Boys go bush with Blue Light

Surviving in the bush for four days is not everybody’s idea of fun.

House of Science visits Opotiki

Opotiki Proimary School teachers attended a House of Science presentation last week learning how to best teach the subject.

Mind-blowing donations to Radio 1XX Cram the Van

Eastern Bay people have again gone above and behind in donating to Radio 1XX’s Cram the Van initiative

Celebrating our local partners

Together, we are increasing scientific literacy

Celebrating a year of safe crossings

Students from schools around the Eastern Bay gathered at the Whakatāne Aquatic Centre to collectively celebrate their efforts in keeping scholl crossings safe this year

Students keen to build traps

Matatā tamariki are trapping pests with their own traps thanks to a Department of Conservation initiative

Drive-through Christmas lunch a hit

Although many aspects of the Community Christmas Lunch looked different this year its reach is the same

Students turn up the volume

Students at Apanui School are delivering the beats – thanks to the new skills they have gleaned from a top New Zealand DJ.

Fun day to celebrate tamariki

Organiser Kataraina Anderson, of Eastbay REAP, said it was an annual community event for whanau to come together and celebrate their tamariki.

REAP and children take to the water

Children and adults alike .had a great time at Te Ahiaua at Waiotahe this week during a full immersion swimming and water/care REAP event.

Youth mental health programme wins award

An Eastern Bay mental health advocate and worker has been recognised with an award for his work supporting youth

The danger of silence

A baby that lacks stimuli during the first thousand days of its life will miss out on important brain development

Inspiration sparked in youth

The Bay of Plenty Regional Youth Event was hostedd by the Inspiring Stories charity and its Future Leaders programme

Science show gets students buzzing

Nanogirl Georgia Third, gets students excited about science at Eastern Bay Schools this week.

White Ribbon event cancelled but kaupapa remains strong

The Kawerau community supported the kaupapa for White Ribbon Day in many ways

Science kits hitch a lift

Eastbay REAP supplies 33 Eastern Bay schools including some that are very rural – with its all-in-one House of Science kits.

Hei tiki class a real eye opener

Seven people from around the North Island have spent the past tree months creating a taonga their families will treasure for generations.

New driver licensing location opens

Yesterday marked the move-in of Opotiki’s new official driver licensing service.