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Help local Raglan couple John & Tracey rebuild after devastating fire

$8,186 of $15,000 goal
Given by 84 generous donors in 8 days

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.

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Latest update

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Update From Tracey  25 June 2026

A beginning and an end

A new future not foreseen

Something evolving not foretold

Unimagined and yet real

And it will be as it has been

But not as before

And it will start as it will end

For that I am sure

Because life will be unexpected

I will take courage in that

And my steps will carry the strength

Of all that I am now.

Thank you for all the love and offers of help that we have received over the past 9 days.

We are devastated but we are doing ok, just taking it one day at a time, waking up, feet on the ground, doing what each day asks of us.

It is still our beautiful cottage, even though she is in ashes. It is hard for me to say goodbye so I’m cherishing these final days

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2% Effective Fee
On average, fundraisers pay just 2% to use Givealittle. This is one of the lowest effective fees in New Zealand fundraising. We charge a 5% platform fee to cover the cost of running the platform. Because most donors choose to top up their donation to cover this fee, the effective cost paid by fundraisers is about 2%. That means around 98 cents of every dollar raised goes to the cause. Learn More

Latest donations

Kerri
Kerri 3 hours ago
$50
Tanya Omlo
Tanya Omlo 10 hours ago
Utterly devastating but I'm sure the phoenix will rise up at some point. Kia kaha John and Tracey
$100
Lynette
Lynette 11 hours ago
I’m so very sorry this has happened to you both. Thinking of you. X
$50
Ben and Nicky
Ben and Nicky 14 hours ago
$50
Louisa
Louisa 14 hours ago
$50

Who's involved?

BROS Aotearoa Community's avatar
Created by BROS Aotearoa Community (Group)
John Vissers's avatar
Paying to a verified bank account of John Vissers
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This campaign started on 16 Jun 2026 and ends on 16 Jul 2026.