It's National Volunteer Week!
This National Volunteer Week, we’re recognising all the amazing volunteers who form the backbone of emergency response in Aotearoa and support their communites every day.
THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!
When Aotearoa faces challenging times, Kiwis always step up to support people in need. Volunteers are instrumental in ensuring that we get through, together.
“Every day, a network of 11,000 Red Cross volunteers and members across the country help us respond to disasters, settle new Kiwis, help run our shops, deliver Meals on Wheels, teach former refugees how to drive, sew curtains for families in need, and so much more. Last financial year, Red Cross volunteers gave close to 120,000 hours of their time. They are the hands and feet of almost everything we accomplish,” says Niamh Lawless, our Secretary General.
Click on the "Read More" button to read Justine's story.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.2% Yes
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13.5% No
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD?
More alcohol restrictions, more lighting, busking rule changes and a whole lot of lobbying - these are some ways Hamilton leaders want to sort out the CBD.
Crime and anti-social behaviour in the area has been in the spotlight after recent news of a man defecating in the street near a city pub and another who flipped tables out the back of a bar after being found scrounging cigarette butts and asked to leave.
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).