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Building Community, One School at a Time in East Auckland
Wed, 26 Aug 2026
In East Auckland, one man is quietly transforming a school - and a community. Mark Mitchell, caretaker at Riverhills Primary School, is more than just a handyman; he's a local hero.
Mark’s journey began with a dramatic act of service. Before he was even officially employed, he helped contain a fire threatening the school and its shared classrooms with Sommerville Special School. Living next door, Mark leapt into action with a garden hose and extinguishers, preventing major damage. That moment sparked a deeper commitment, and he soon joined the school as a part-time caretaker.
Since then, Mark has become a beloved figure, known affectionately by students as “Mr Mark.” And his contributions go far beyond maintenance. Over the last few years, he has:
Cleared 7 tonnes of bluestone rock to create a new play area, donating the stone to a Pakuranga bridge project.
Revitalised the school grounds, fixing potholes, windows, and outdoor spaces to make them safer and more welcoming.
Built strong relationships with students, especially as one of the few male role models at the school.
Earlier this year, through the Kennards Hire KidsCan Buddy School Program, Mark hired a 2.5-tonne digger to clear cabbage tree stumps. Knowing a Sommerville student - a 7-year-old boy with autism - was fascinated by diggers, Mark invited him to experience sitting inside the cabin. Though non-verbal during the visit, the child lit up with joy and talked about it for days.
The incident spurred him to reach out to his local Kennards Hire Branch Manager and share the story. It was a solid reminder of why the Buddy School Program exists - to give schools a chance to make their environments places of learning and connection, in deeper ways.
Mark’s work is driven by a belief that every child deserves a beautiful environment. Many students at Riverhills come from low socio-economic backgrounds, and Mark sees his role as helping create spaces that make them proud to come to school. These areas, including the basketball court and bike trail, are also used by the wider community after hours.
Recently Mark led a volunteer working bee to clean up the school gardens. Joined by a local church group, community volunteers and some hired staff, they planted new trees, landscaped the area and made it summer- and community-ready. All this to support his mission of giving children the best environments to grow up.
If you're ever nearby, drop by - you might just meet a local legend.
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