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321 days ago

If you're one of the many New Zealanders back at work today, it's time to get the calendars out, circle some public holidays, and stretch those annual leave days as far as possible

Brian from Mount Roskill

Are you back at the office for 2024? Me too!
Are you already thinking about the next break from work? Also, me too!
If you love a long weekend, 2024 presents a couple of opportunities for a four-day break, as well as some longer stretches away from work that use minimal leave.

Here's how the public holidays fall this year so you can start planning that time away.
Taking advantage of regional days

A few of the regional anniversary days lend themselves to especially long breaks with fewer days of annual leave.
People living at the top of the country and those in Nelson can once again enjoy an extended holiday given their regional holidays' close proximity to Waitangi Day (February 6).

Both Auckland Anniversary Day and Nelson Anniversary Day fall on Monday, January 29 in 2024, with Waitangi Day falling a little over a week later.
This means people in those areas can potentially get 11 days away from work (including the weekends) using just five days of leave.
Meanwhile, the people of Otago can also enjoy a longer break using fewer days of leave, with Easter falling close to the region's anniversary day in 2024.

Otago Anniversary Day is observed on Monday, March 25, with Easter beginning on Friday, March 29. This means people in the region can get 10 days off work (including the weekends) using just three days of annual leave, from March 26-28.

Waitangi Day
With Waitangi Day landing on a Tuesday in 2024, workers can take Monday, February 5 off and gift themselves an easy four-day weekend.

An Easter bonus for the south
Easter will be observed from Friday, March 29 to Monday, April 1 in 2024.

With Southland Anniversary Day falling on Tuesday, April 2, those in the far south will get an extra long Easter break this time around.

Anzac Day
Anzac Day (April 25) falls on a Thursday in 2024, offering up another opportunity for a cheeky four-day weekend if people take the Friday off work.

An extra long Labour Weekend in Hawke's Bay
Labour Day is Monday, October 28 this year.

With Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day on Friday, October 25, people in that region again get an extra long Labour Weekend.

Other dates for the calendar:
King's Birthday falls on Monday, June 3 in 2024.

Matariki falls on Friday, June 28 in 2024.

You may not be able to stretch these two public holidays out further but you can at least try and get the jump on some long weekend accommodation before it all books out.
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1 hour ago

The Greater Atua - Day 8

Kiran Reddy from Mount Eden

In Māori culture, atua refers to spiritual beings, ancestors, or gods that embody and oversee the forces of nature and the universe. Atua can represent elements like the sea, forests, sky, or even concepts such as peace or war. They are often linked to whakapapa (genealogy) and are seen as guardians and kaitiaki (caretakers) of their respective domains.

For example:

Tāne-mahuta: Atua of the forests and birds.
Tangaroa: Atua of the sea and marine life.
Ranginui: Atua of the sky (Sky Father).
Papatūānuku: The Earth Mother.
Hine-nui-te-pō: Atua of death and the underworld.
**************

In the sacred realms of Te Ao Māori, Tāne-mahuta (the atua of forests and birds) and Tangaroa (the atua of the sea) once had a disagreement. Each believed their mana (prestige) and influence over the natural world made them the greatest among the atua. Their debate grew heated, and to settle the matter, Io Matua Kore, the supreme being, appeared in the form of an unending pou (pillar).

Io proclaimed, "Whoever can reach either the top or the base of this pou will prove their greatness." Tāne-mahuta transformed into a hawk, soaring high into the skies to find the top, while Tangaroa shifted into a great taniwha and dove deep into the ocean to find the base.

Days turned into nights, and neither Tāne-mahuta nor Tangaroa could find the end of the pou. Tāne-mahuta’s wings grew tired as he flew higher and higher, and Tangaroa's strength waned as he swam deeper and deeper into the dark, cold depths of the moana (ocean). Eventually, both returned to the base of the pou, exhausted but determined to share their experiences.

Tāne-mahuta, embodying his role as kaitiaki (guardian), spoke the truth. "No matter how far I flew, I could not see the top of the pou. Its height is beyond comprehension, just as Io's wisdom and power are limitless."

Tangaroa, however, in his eagerness to prove his superiority, falsely claimed that he had touched the bottom of the pou. To support his claim, he called upon a kahawai (a fish) to nod in agreement. Io, knowing the truth, rebuked Tangaroa for his dishonesty and the kahawai for blindly supporting a lie.

As a result of his deceit, Tangaroa was told that while he would continue to command the respect of the seas, the realm of the skies and land would belong to Tāne-mahuta. The kahawai was cursed to be hunted endlessly by birds and humans alike, a reminder of the cost of blind allegiance to falsehoods. Tāne-mahuta, for his honesty and humility, was praised, and his forests and birds would be revered across the land.
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Moral of the Story

The story teaches us that truth and humility are greater than pride and deception. Greatness comes not from self-proclaimed superiority but from being steadfast in honesty and embracing one’s role as a kaitiaki. It also serves as a reminder that blindly following falsehoods can lead to consequences, just as the kahawai learned. In the Māori world, living with integrity and honouring the interconnectedness of all atua ensures balance and harmony in life.

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John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.

What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?

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When should the tree go up? 🎄
  • 4.6% Second half of November
    4.6% Complete
  • 43.5% 1st December
    43.5% Complete
  • 17.4% A week before Christmas
    17.4% Complete
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2327 votes