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By harnessing online learning to blend tech features with traditional teaching methods, students’ progress can be easily tracked and feedback can be given instantly. Read on to learn how an encouraging environment established within NumberWorks’nWords centres has been perfected and can be … View moreBy harnessing online learning to blend tech features with traditional teaching methods, students’ progress can be easily tracked and feedback can be given instantly. Read on to learn how an encouraging environment established within NumberWorks’nWords centres has been perfected and can be applied to students’ daily learning, so that when they finish their studies, they are more motivated than ever.
Auckland Council needs to find significant savings of $120 million, and fast, as the economic impact of Covid-19 gets bigger, according to a leaked email from chief executive Stephen Town. The savings target comes as councillors meet behind closed doors tomorrow to consider the latest version of an… View moreAuckland Council needs to find significant savings of $120 million, and fast, as the economic impact of Covid-19 gets bigger, according to a leaked email from chief executive Stephen Town. The savings target comes as councillors meet behind closed doors tomorrow to consider the latest version of an "emergency budget" that includes proposals for an overall rates rise of 3.5 per cent alongside an alternative 2.5 per cent increase. Rising costs for waste management and lowering rates for businesses could see rates tip the scales at 4.5 per cent for households and about 2.5 per cent for businesses under the 3.5 per cent option.
In the email to more than 12,000 full-time and part-time staff at council and its five council-controlled organisations(CCOs), Town says how incredibly proud he is of how staff have come together to respond to the challenges of the pandemic. "Together we have shown Aucklanders the value we bring and the pride we take in supporting them during a crisis. From delivering food parcels to providing essential services and keeping our city running, we've really stepped up," he said.
Yesterday, Town announced in a media release staff who earn more than $100,000 will be asked to take a minimum pay cut as it tries to find savings after a dramatic cut in revenue over the past two months. The voluntary pay cuts will only impact staff earning six figures and will be a tiered approach with the higher earners being asked to take a bigger cut.
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There will be a 5 per cent reduction for anyone earning between $100,000 and $175,000, a 7.5 per cent reduction for anyone earning between $175,001 and $275,000 and a 10 per cent reduction for anyone earning above $275,001 for six months. The 2019 annual report shows 2831 council and CCO staff earned more than $100,000 - a jump of 358 staff from 2473 the previous year. Town also announced a comprehensive operating review with a view to begin implementing changes by August 1. "All of this means that the entire council group has to make some difficult decisions to find significant savings over the next year and close the financial gap that has been created. Our share of the savings is $120 million.
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"Even if we return to 'normal' tomorrow, the damage to the economy is considerable, and this will continue to have a profound effect on our income (rates and non-rates revenue) for several years to come," said Town. He said reducing costs wherever possible - council has protected and paid all staff their full salaries during lockdown - have made a contribution but nowhere near the level of savings required. Town said three difficult actions are under way, including voluntary pay cuts for staff earning more than $100,000, discussions with the PSA about this year's remuneration review and a review of the council's operating model. "It is expected that this review will result in a reduction in permanent employees," said Town, noting staff are the largest cost for the council. He said the size of the challenge means there is not a single solution and a range of solutions are needed. "But I need you to be aware that we have to implement some changes by August 1, 2020 so that savings from these changes have a material impact for our next financial year. "I know this will create uncertainty for you at a time which is already difficult - we are all trying to make sense of this new world we're in and what it means for us and our households," he said.
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The freeze on tenancy terminations has impacted 'Mum and dad' landlords in ways no-one could have predicted prior to Covid-19.
A man prevented from seeing his partner's dying father because of coronavirus travel restrictions ha…
Police are still hunting for a killer nearly a week after a woman was stabbed to death in West Auckl…
Got a local business that went over and above during lockdown? Is there one you’ve really missed - or one that's brightened your day? Maybe it’s a business who just needs a helping hand at the moment...
Nominate them for a Local Like! Your shoutout could appear as an advert on Stuff, on… View moreGot a local business that went over and above during lockdown? Is there one you’ve really missed - or one that's brightened your day? Maybe it’s a business who just needs a helping hand at the moment...
Nominate them for a Local Like! Your shoutout could appear as an advert on Stuff, on Neighbourly, or in your local paper. Plus you could win a bag of feijoas (or a $100 voucher to the business you nominate).
As a nation, we recently held a moving ANZAC Day commemoration. So now is a good time to reflect on how we treat our military personnel during and after their service. It speaks volumes about who we are as New Zealanders.
Let’s not leave those who serve our country behind.
Can New Zealand … View moreAs a nation, we recently held a moving ANZAC Day commemoration. So now is a good time to reflect on how we treat our military personnel during and after their service. It speaks volumes about who we are as New Zealanders.
Let’s not leave those who serve our country behind.
Can New Zealand do more to ensure that past, present and future service people - and their whānau – are recognised and supported?
Join the conversation now at missionfeedback.co.nz
Water restrictions to combat the worst drought in Auckland's history have been breached 69 times in …
A teenager has died after being rescued from a rip at West Auckland's Karekare Beach. The girl was …
Hi neighbours,
Destiny Church is holding a drive-in service to stand for the "freedom and rights" of all New Zealanders, as traditional services remain off limits in Covid-19 alert level 2.
Hey neighbours, how do you feel about this divisive household dilemma?
Is taking your shoes off in someone's home the right and hygienic thing to do, or do you see being asked to remove your shoes as a total imposition?
It's one of many home dilemmas we come across on Homed, along … View moreHey neighbours, how do you feel about this divisive household dilemma?
Is taking your shoes off in someone's home the right and hygienic thing to do, or do you see being asked to remove your shoes as a total imposition?
It's one of many home dilemmas we come across on Homed, along with toilet paper over or under? cutlery up or down in the dishwasher? top sheet or no top sheet?, to name a few. Read more about the arguments for each and see how many people agree with you, here.
Two men charged with murder in relation to the death of Bao Chang Wang, whose remains were found off…
Extend the 10-person limit on religious gatherings to allow faith communities to gather in a "meaningful way", the leader of the Opposition has urged in a stern open letter to the Prime Minister.
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Dear Prime Minister,
I write to you on … View moreExtend the 10-person limit on religious gatherings to allow faith communities to gather in a "meaningful way", the leader of the Opposition has urged in a stern open letter to the Prime Minister.
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Dear Prime Minister,
I write to you on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who practice many different faiths and religions, who continue to be unable to gather in any meaningful way for worship this weekend because the COVID-19 restrictions your Government has chosen to keep in place limit the number of people who can attend religious services to 10.
New Zealanders of faith have understood the need to sacrifice their freedom of religion to gather for worship to support our fight against COVID-19.
People of all faiths have done their part, however they are now being told that despite our alert level being reduced they are still no longer able to meet for worship.
New Zealanders find it inconsistent that you allow large numbers of people at bars, restaurants or sporting events but continue to deny more than 10 people gathering for religious services.
It was right to increase the number of people who can attend funerals and tangi – it is right to do the same for our faith communities.
Religious institutions are in a better place than almost any other organisation that is allowed to host larger crowds, and are therefore able to ensure appropriate physical distancing and health precautions are taking place.
I strongly urge you to reconsider this limit so New Zealanders of faith can gather and worship this weekend and participate in what is one of the most defining aspects of their lives: expressing their faith through worship.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Bridges
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the National Party
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Nobody really knows who the five millionth person in New Zealand was - but there's a chance it could be Odette Olive Deane. The chubby-cheeked tot was born on March 10 this year, around the time Statistics NZ reckons the country's population ticked over to 5 million. Our population has … View moreNobody really knows who the five millionth person in New Zealand was - but there's a chance it could be Odette Olive Deane. The chubby-cheeked tot was born on March 10 this year, around the time Statistics NZ reckons the country's population ticked over to 5 million. Our population has grown from 4m to 5m in 17 years thanks to a combination of natural growth (births minus deaths) and net migration (arrivals minus departures). Stats NZ said today that - provisionally - the population reached 5m sometime in March. Mum Charlotte Deane, 26, said it was "crazy" to think her daughter could be New Zealand's 5 millionth person. Charlotte had gone into labour while having lunch at Burnham Military Camp, where her soldier husband Oliver is based. "I started feeling pains, like a rubber band flicking, and then it all happened." Oliver drove her to Christchurch Women's Hospital and was there for the birth of their "very big" 4.3kg baby, after just 2.5 hours of labour and one day after her due date. Stats NZ's population insights senior manager Brooke Theyers said the precise date when we hit 5 million also isn't available yet but it's estimated that at March 31 had a resident population of 5,002,100. Theyers said while the 5m mark could have been reached by a newborn baby, it was more likely to be a migrant arriving on a plane. The Covid-19 pandemic had caused unusual international travel and migration patterns in recent months, which had boosted net migration as more Kiwis arrived home from overseas, she said. Fewer people were also leaving the country.
Escalating numbers of Covid-19 cases in early March made Charlotte "a bit more paranoid" than normal preparing for birth, she told. "I was keeping track of where the infections were and I didn't really want to go into hospital. And after she was born I didn't want to go into confined spaces." But she had been reassured by research showing babies and children were less likely to catch the disease and likely to have milder symptoms. It's not all been easy. When Odette was just 2 weeks old the country went into lockdown, making the first weeks of maternity leave even more isolating than normal. She was only able to have one week of home midwife visits, and feeding the baby proved hard without outside help from a lactation consultant. But despite those first difficult weeks, Odette is thriving. "She was obviously a giant baby but they think she was born too big. She's just started losing a lot of weight so now she's very petite - we call her Dotty," Charlotte said. "She's very loved. She's had lots of kisses from her big brother [Walter, 20 months]. She goes a little bit crazy during the day but she sleeps really well at night.
Mid-lockdown, at just 4 weeks, Odette started smiling at them - and she hasn't stopped. "She's the most smiley baby I've ever seen."
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Hi neighbours,
Another cell phone tower and a power box have been set alight in south Auckland - the latest in a string of attacks.
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