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Surf lifesavers are pleading with people to only swim at patrolled beaches after 16 people died in t…
The hungry, the homeless, the elderly and those who just wanted some company descended on the Cloud on Auckland's waterfront today for some delicious festive food at the Auckland City Mission's Christmas lunch. The 1600-plus guests were greeted with a warm "Merry Christmas" from… View moreThe hungry, the homeless, the elderly and those who just wanted some company descended on the Cloud on Auckland's waterfront today for some delicious festive food at the Auckland City Mission's Christmas lunch. The 1600-plus guests were greeted with a warm "Merry Christmas" from one of the hundreds of volunteers, before finding seats at tables laden with Christmas crackers, juice, tubs of chocolate, takeaway vouchers and cookies.
Christmas carols and UB40 hits entertained the masses until the food arrived - a spread of ham, chicken and roast potatoes with jelly and ice cream for dessert. In the back rooms, Santa's helpers wrapped hundreds of presents while down the road at Spark Arena volunteers had been cooking lunch since 6am - prepping some 300kg of ham, 1600 chicken drumsticks and 300kg of potatoes. The venue was full to capacity and volunteers were trying to squeeze in those who turned up without tickets. As the band struck up a pre-lunch version of "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" the crowd began singing and some began waving their arms in the air. Muriel Kett was one of those who came for the company and the atmosphere - it's her first Christmas without husband Fredrick after he died in July, aged 89. She had expected to spend Christmas alone - but realised it was a great chance to come and visit the Auckland City Mission lunch. "I thought it would be nice to come down here, I'd always wanted to be here so I thought, this is the time."
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Auckland's famous Franklin Road Christmas lights have some stiff competition this year, in the form of Cooper Crescent in Ōtara. Throughout the past month, the light display has attracted more than 10,000 people to the small South Auckland street and that is only set to grow. Project manager … View moreAuckland's famous Franklin Road Christmas lights have some stiff competition this year, in the form of Cooper Crescent in Ōtara. Throughout the past month, the light display has attracted more than 10,000 people to the small South Auckland street and that is only set to grow. Project manager Terry Nelson said that when the lights first went up in 2017 no one expected it to become this big. "One of our reasons for running it was for the children around here because they can't get to the Karaka lights and the Franklin lights..." What set Cooper Crescent apart from the rest, said Terry, was the community vibe that radiated from every house. Neighbors and residents were selling hearty Pacific and Māori meals, performing music, face paint and even fire dance. Most of the lights were DIY and low budget, but that only made them more awesome, he said. "The neighbours are just making do with whatever lights they have, and they come up with the best designs that anyone can come up with." One local resident even went so far as to make a Bethlehem set, with their children playing the roles of Mary and Joseph.
"It's a really beautiful community and that's what we wanted to show was that like, man, our streets are safe, Ōtara is safe and that everyone is welcome here. "People have a negative stigma about Ōtara, but when you come here and you walk onto the street, you'll feel it. "The street was already well past capacity this year, said Terry, which was exciting, if not a little daunting and hectic. Terry's wife, Swanie, was also a key player in bringing the lights to life. She said the lights went up in the second week of December and would stay on until the first week of January. Terry said one of the best parts of the lights was the theme nights, where people could experience pacific and Māori culture. Swanie said there were also photobooths along the street, many of which were upcycled from household items as part of a waste minimisation scheme.
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On December 23, Lewis Marson turned 100. In preparation, he collected a hundred $1 coins from the AS…
The Neighbourly Team wishes you a very merry Christmas! 🎄 Enjoy your day and all those around you. Holidays can be a lonely time so if you can, check on your neighbours this festive season!🌟
A family who have been sleeping in a car since their home was raided by thieves have had their home …
Kia ora neighbours, December is always a busy month for the city's food banks, and Glendene's Church Unlimited is no different.
Stuff visited on one of the last days before Christmas to see how they were helping as many West Aucklanders as possible have the best holiday they could.
It's a Christmas miracle, or a case of Christmas guilt, either way the Highway Santa stolen from his…
A new year and new decade will arrive with a glimpse of the future as some downtown Auckland streets are closed to vehicles during New Year's Eve celebrations. Several streets will be restricted to pedestrians only between 10pm on New Year's Eve and 2am on New Year's Day, when … View moreA new year and new decade will arrive with a glimpse of the future as some downtown Auckland streets are closed to vehicles during New Year's Eve celebrations. Several streets will be restricted to pedestrians only between 10pm on New Year's Eve and 2am on New Year's Day, when festivities including street parties, family-friendly spaces, fireworks and light shows take place, destination general manager of Auckland Council's economic development arm, ATEED, Steve Armitage said. Queen and Albert streets will be closed to vehicles between Wellesley St and Wyndham St, and Victoria St will be closed between Hobson St and Kitchener St.
Several other smaller streets, including Durham and Darby, and Bowen Ave, will also be restricted to foot traffic. Some feeder streets are also affected, while Federal St will be closed to vehicles for 25 hours from 3am on New Year's Eve. Those parked within road closure areas, including parking buildings, would not be able to leave until the closures were lifted, in all cases except Federal St, at 2am, Armitage said. "Last year, Auckland Transport reported there was heavy vehicle congestion in the city centre for several hours either side of midnight, so we want to create a safer environment by closing a section of the roads." The closures were welcomed by city leaders. They would ensure people could enjoy the celebrations in a safe, enjoyable and pedestrian-friendly environment, Auckland mayor Phil Goff said, while his planning committee chairman, councillor Chris Darby, said it was what people wanted. "There is a real public appetite for rebalancing the city's streets to be places for people and not just through streets for cars. "These closures represent a vision of the future of Auckland's city centre." Other measures have also been put in place to support those choosing downtown Auckland as the place to welcome 2020. That included increased public transport after midnight, Armitage said. "There will be 31 additional bus services, more trains will operate on the Onehunga Line and Eastern Line (to Sylvia Park), and there will also be added ferry sailings between Auckland and Devonport." As for the festivities, they would be both varied and colourful - and he expected many people to gather to enjoy them. "It's clear from the past couple of years that the city centre is popular with locals and visitors alike on New Year's Eve, dispelling the belief that Auckland empties out over the holiday period." Light installations around the city will be switched on, including Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum, Te Ara I Whiti - Light Path, the Sky Tower and the Harbour Bridge.
Vector Lights will sparkle on Auckland Harbour Bridge for a second year, displaying a fabulous light show from 9pm to 1am, Armitage said. "At the stroke of midnight, the lights will sync with the Sky Tower fireworks in a five-minute display of dancing colours." On Federal St, SkyCity would host Auckland's biggest New Year street party, from 5pm to midnight with Ladi6 and Chong Nee & Friends as the headline acts. And at Karanga Plaza and Wynyard Quarter, the council's urban planning department, Panuku Development had ensured an alcohol-free, whānau friendly space with fantastic views of the Sky Tower available. As well as Auckland's waterfront, other top locations for viewing the festivities in included Little Shoal Bay, Bayswater Marina, Mt Victoria, Queens Parade, Devonport, Bastion Point, Harbour View Beach Reserve, Te Atatū Peninsula, Sentinel Beach and Mt Eden.
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Are you looking for a last minute Christmas Special recipe?
This recipe is “forgiving” in the sense that it is quick to assemble and does not seem to matter if the quantities are not precisely measured.
Ingredients (Serves 6)
100 g Butter
100 g Caster sugar
… View moreAre you looking for a last minute Christmas Special recipe?
This recipe is “forgiving” in the sense that it is quick to assemble and does not seem to matter if the quantities are not precisely measured.
Ingredients (Serves 6)
100 g Butter
100 g Caster sugar
4 Eggs
2 Tbsp Milk
125 g Flour
1 Tbsp Baking powder
2 Tbsp Cocoa powder, dark
Sauce
250 ml Water
100 g Soft brown sugar
2 Tbsp Cocoa powder
Check out the full recipe on the link below.
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We are taking a break until 6 January 2020. We don’t monitor Neighbourly outside of business hours or on public holidays. On other days and during business hours, we will have limited monitoring and our response time might be longer than usual. For immediate information on all council services … View moreWe are taking a break until 6 January 2020. We don’t monitor Neighbourly outside of business hours or on public holidays. On other days and during business hours, we will have limited monitoring and our response time might be longer than usual. For immediate information on all council services and facilities visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz... or call 09 301 0101 at any time. Wishing you a safe and happy start to 2020. ^Melodie & team.
Rain is pouring over West Auckland, a gust of wind sending stacked umbrellas scattering over the wet…
Escape to the Bay of Islands on a weekend getaway with us! 🌞
We're giving away x4 NZ House & Garden House Tours - Bay of Islands tickets and two nights accommodation at Driftwood Seaside Escapes - one of the amazing Tour houses!
View the beautiful property on the tour, then be the … View moreEscape to the Bay of Islands on a weekend getaway with us! 🌞
We're giving away x4 NZ House & Garden House Tours - Bay of Islands tickets and two nights accommodation at Driftwood Seaside Escapes - one of the amazing Tour houses!
View the beautiful property on the tour, then be the envy of all tour-goers by spending two nights.
To be in the draw all you need to do is enter the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ raffle below. Give to an important cause this Christmas and be in to win! 💕
Find out more and enter here.
Raffle closes on 6th January.
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