About Us | Grubby Hands Trust

Our Beginning

How Grubby Hands Trust Came to Life

It started with a cup of tea and a conversation about what Raetihi really needed. Not another report, not more talk—but real, practical action. We looked around our beautiful Ruapehu District and saw potential everywhere: empty lots that could become gardens, young people bursting with creativity but nowhere to express it, perfectly good things being thrown away instead of fixed.

So we decided to stop waiting for someone else to make it happen. We grabbed some spades, rounded up some willing mates, and got our hands grubby. That first community garden plot wasn't much to look at—just a patch of weeds and hard clay—but by the end of that weekend, with dirt under our nails and backs aching, we'd created something beautiful. More importantly, we'd proven that change doesn't need fancy funding or government approval. It just needs people who care enough to show up.

Grubby Hands Trust was born from that simple truth: when we work together, when we're willing to get our hands dirty for each other, amazing things happen. Now we're a registered charity bringing people together across the Ruapehu District and beyond, proving that the best communities are built from the ground up—literally.

Our Purpose

What Drives Us

We exist to create spaces where our community can grow—literally and figuratively. Through hands-on projects, creative workshops, and practical skill-sharing, we're building a more connected, resilient, and sustainable Ruapehu District.

Manaakitanga

We show up for each other with generosity and respect

Kaitiakitanga

We care for our environment and resources for future generations

Whānaungatanga

We build relationships that strengthen our whole community

Action Over Talk

We roll up our sleeves and make things happen

Our Mahi

The Work That Gets Us Grubby

Every project we tackle is about more than the task at hand—it's about bringing people together

Community Gardens & Food Growing

We transform neglected spaces into thriving gardens where locals can grow fresh kai, learn about sustainable food production, and share the harvest. Our gardens become gathering places where neighbors become friends and kids learn where food really comes from.

Youth Art & Creative Workshops

Our rangatahi have incredible stories and creativity that deserve to be seen. We run regular art workshops, mural projects, and creative sessions where young people can express themselves, develop skills, and leave their mark on our community in beautiful ways.

DIY Repair Cafés

In a world obsessed with buying new, we're celebrating the art of fixing. Our repair cafés bring together skilled volunteers who help locals mend clothing, fix appliances, restore furniture, and breathe new life into things worth keeping. It's sustainable, satisfying, and builds real connections.

Environmental Cleanup & Restoration

Our beautiful Ruapehu landscape deserves respect. We organize regular cleanup drives along waterways, in parks, and on trails. We plant native trees, remove invasive species, and work to restore the natural beauty of Aotearoa—one volunteer, one bag of rubbish, one seedling at a time.

Our Whānau

The Heart of Everything We Do

Grubby Hands Trust isn't about a fancy office or a big staff—it's about everyday people who believe in the power of community. We're teachers and tradies, retirees and students, artists and engineers. We're parents who want better spaces for our kids, young people eager to make their mark, and old-timers who remember when neighbors actually knew each other.

What unites us isn't our backgrounds—it's our willingness to show up, get our hands dirty, and do something real. Some of our volunteers come once for a specific project. Others have been with us since day one, becoming the backbone of everything we do. All of them are heroes in our books.

500+

Active Volunteers

10,000+

Volunteer Hours

Join Our Team

Our Place

Proud to Call Raetihi Home

Nestled in the heart of the Ruapehu District, Raetihi is more than just our base—it's our inspiration. This small town has always had a big heart, and we're privileged to be part of its story. From the shadow of Mount Ruapehu to the banks of the Whanganui River, this land has shaped who we are.

While our roots are firmly planted in Raetihi, our mahi extends across the wider Ruapehu District and beyond. Wherever there's a community ready to roll up their sleeves and make positive change, we're keen to help make it happen. That's the Kiwi way—we look after each other, no matter where the boundary lines fall on a map.

Based at 16 Islington Street, Raetihi 4632

Serving the Ruapehu District & Wider Aotearoa

Registered Charity CC63887

Our Story