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1409 days ago

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra launches festival series

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has announced a new festival series planned for 2021.

The series will be staged in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch, with many performances in each city over three days.

Popular Setting Up Camp tours will also be expanded next year.

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra chief executive Peter Biggs said the orchestra's goal is to bring the greatest music ever written to as many New Zealanders as possible.

“Our multi-day Festivals in six cities and expansion of our Setting Up Camp tour from six to 15 centres next year will give audiences more choices and allow the NZSO to make deeper connections with more New Zealanders," he said.

A highlight will be Kia Kotahi, a unique performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with a new text of the famous Ode to Joy sung in Te Reo by a chorus of high school students.

The concert will also comprise new works by New Zealand artists.

American Marin Alsop, one of the world’s top conductors, will make her New Zealand debut with Kia Kotahi.

The project was originally slated for 2020, Beethoven’s 250th anniversary year.

But the impact of Covid-19 and limited government funding has meant the NZSO will not deliver to New Zealanders everything the orchestra planned to do, Biggs said.

The NZSO is cutting the number of large scale concerts next year, he said.

"We know this will sadden our many fans and supporters around the country.

"The NZSO is working hard to find a solution so we can reach those audiences."

Season subscription tickets went on sale on Friday at nzso.co.nz.

More messages from your neighbours
14 days ago

Six tips for improving security around your home

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.

2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.

3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.

4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.

5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.

6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property

Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.

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1 day ago

What workplace change would you like to see most?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.

As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.

Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!

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9 days ago

Poll: Does grocery bagging affect where you shop?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

There's only a few differences between our larger chain supermarkets here in New Zealand. Having someone bag your groceries is one of them.

Does having your groceries packed for you at the checkout influence where you do your grocery shop? If so, tell us why.

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Does grocery bagging affect where you shop?
  • 24% Yes
    24% Complete
  • 75.3% No
    75.3% Complete
  • 0.7% Other - I'll share below
    0.7% Complete
3317 votes