How Ethan found his voice
Ethan's life was surrounded by drugs and alcohol due to gang-affiliated friends and family. But after losing loved ones, he joined a Graeme Dingle Foundation programme. Initially hesitant and shy, he gradually gained confidence, showed his humour and found his voice.
The programme helped him explore different career paths and Ethan became one of the top graduates from his cohort. The Foundation took the opportunity to hire him and he now helps other young people involved in the programme on their career journeys.
Find out more about how the Graeme Dingle Foundation helps young people realise potential.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89.4% Yes, it's fair
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9.8% No, it's unreasonable
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0.8% Other - I'll share below
Smoke in Mt Wellington
Smoke has been seen coming from the crater of the Auckland maunga Mt Wellington.
Images of the smoke began appearing on social media on Friday afternoon.
Around 1.45pm, Fire and Emergency (Fenz) shift manager Josh Pennefather told the NZ Herald a crew was fighting a fire of about 60 square metres in size.
”It’s spreading up hill … [but] there’s no property at risk at this stage,” Pennefather said.
Six fire trucks were in attendance working to contain a grass fire that's spreading up the maunga.
A helicopter was on its way to assist firefighting efforts, he added.
At 2pm, Pennefather shared that the fire was contained and they were working to extinguish it, including “keeping an eye on a whole bunch of hot spots“.