Help local Raglan couple John & Tracey rebuild after devastating fire
A fire took John & Tracey's' Raglan cottage & workshop. They've shown up for so many - now let's show up for them. Please share & support
Raglan, Waikato
In the early hours of the morning on 15 June 2026, John Vissers and Tracey Bonnington lost their cottage and workshop in Whaingaroa Raglan to a devastating fire - this was the little home that sat right beside their own.
In a matter of minutes, years of memories, belongings, tools, precious creations, and a place full of life were gone.
Thankfully everyone is safe, and the building has insurance, but the cause has not yet been determined. The loss is heavy, the cost is large, and the road to rebuilding is long.
As a carpenter & creative by trade, John has lost all of his tools and a lifetime of work inside his workshop.
If you know John and Tracey, you'll know the kind of people they are - the first to lend a hand, open a door, or put the kettle on. They've shown up for so many of their local community over the years. Now it's our turn to show up for them.
Every dollar raised goes directly toward clearing the site / replacing essentials / rebuilding the cottage & workshop / supporting them while they get back on their feet. No amount is too small - even a koha of $5 adds up fast when a community pulls together.
Please give what you can, and share this page far and wide.
Thank you for your support 🙏🏽❤️🔥
BROS Aotearoa Community's involvement (page creator)
John is a respected Elder, leader & trailblazer in the NZ men's work community, and someone we are proud to call a friend & mentor - a man who has shown up for so many of us, and who now needs his community to show up for him and his wonderful wife Tracey.
Use of funds
Clearing the fire-damaged site, replacing lost essentials, rebuilding the cottage & workshop, and helping John & Tracey cover lost income while they get back on their feet.
Other page links
Latest update
Three Weeks On - An update from John Vissers 14 July 2026
Three weeks on:
Sitting in the space between resilience and surrender. The place where the smallest of actions feel huge. Raking the now cold embers off the dead lawns, a reclaiming of what is ours. Removing the roofing iron, all twisted, contorted and spread out all over the place, revealing the insignificance of what once was... Pushing over the last wall standing, as if betraying a loyal friend that had earned their place to stand.
We await the diggers to clear the burnt remains. A timeliness and system belonging to someone else, moving at its own pace...
Finding the baby Buddha, a sign it will all be OK. Seeing a baby broccoli 🥦 growing in a garden scorched to renewal. Gazing into the reflection of the water in the brazier (3 weeks ago boiling from the inferno) seeing the space and the blue skies.
Hope
New Beginnings
A massive thank you to everyone for your loving messages, kind words and gifts. A big thank you to BROS Aotearoa for setting up the give a little page, and Raglan Men's Group / Circle for their support and muscle. Solspring, The Space, the NZ Celebrant School and the incredible Homeopathic community for your gifts, care and support.
Thank you all. Each and every one of you ❤
I have a new relationship with fire. My mission is still 'More Men Around More Fires"
The journey and the work continues...
Massive hugs of gratitude 🙏🏾
John Vissers
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