Auckland turns pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
For the first time, Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge and the Queen Street Lights will be lighting up pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, in support of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s (BCFNZ) annual Pink Ribbon Street Appeal.
Vector Lights and Queen Street Lights will be joining Sky Tower in Auckland, along with dozens of other landmarks around the country, to take part in the Global Illuminations campaign – which sees landmarks and sculptures in 140 countries bathed in pink to promote global awareness of breast cancer.
The Sky Tower has been a long-standing partner of the campaign, taking part every year since it launched in 2000.
Each year, around 1,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Auckland, and sadly 174 will die of breast cancer in the region annually.
Councillor Alf Filipaina said it is an important mahi (work) to support.
“Māori and Pasifika women are at greater risk of dying from breast cancer than any other ethnicity. As the largest Polynesian city in the world it is important for us to champion the kaupapa (purpose) around breast cancer awareness,” he said.
“That’s why I’m delighted that Vector Lights, our smart energy showcase for Auckland, will be joining other global landmarks in lighting up pink to support the great mahi the Breast Cancer Foundation do. If more women go and get screened as a result of seeing the Harbour Bridge lit up pink, then that is a great result.”
The campaign runs for the entire month of October and ends with BCFNZ’s major fundraising event, Pink Ribbon Street Appeal on 30 and 31 October.
Sky Tower will be in pink from 1 to 4 October, Queen Street Lights joins in 1 to 9 October, and Vector Lights will be pink from 12 to 18 October.
Money raised through the appeal will fund research into new targeted treatments, life-saving awareness initiatives, education programmes, and support for New Zealanders going through breast cancer.
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Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Warnings about scams
This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re reminding everyone to stay sharp and look out for the warning signs of scams to stop them before they start.
Here’s what to watch out for:
🔍 Unrealistic offers or promises of easy money that are too good to be true
🔍 Pressure tactics: Scammers may rush or threaten you to act immediately.
🔍 Requests for personal info: Be cautious if you’re asked for bank details, passwords, or sensitive information.
🔍 Unusual payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
🔍 Unverified contacts: Emails, calls, or messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Stop and think before sharing personal details or making payments.
✅ Don't click on any links until you know that it is safe.
✅ Verify the source: Contact the organisation directly using official channels.
✅ If something’s not right, it's OK to hang up, walk away, ignore it and move on.
If you wish to report a scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.
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