Senior Constable Don Allan's monthly newsletter
Don's October issue is attached with good news that Onehunga, during September, had a further 12% decrease in reported crime with one of the lowest months of vehicle crime so far this year. Wahoo - those steering locks, immobilisers and removing valuables from your vehicles must be helping.
The newsletter states.....
The streets in Onehunga with multiple incident during September 2024 were:
Onehunga Mall (4 incidents) 3 x burgs,1 x theft ex-car Arthur St (4 incidents) 3 x burg, 1 x theft ex-car,
Church St (4 incidents) 3 x burg, 1 x theft ex-car,
Mt Smart Road (4 incidents) 3 x burgs, 1 x stolen vehicle. Waitangi Road (3 incidents) 3 x burgs
Jordan Ave (3 incidents) 1 x theft ex-car, 2 x stolen vehicles. Campbell Road (2 incidents) 1 x burg, 1 theft ex-car. Cardwell St (2 incidents) 1 x burg, 1 stolen vehicle.
Mt Smart Road (2 incidents) 1 x burg, 1 stolen vehicle. Roosevelt Ave (2 incidents) 1 x burg, 1 stolen vehicle. Princes St (2 incidents) 1 x burg, 1 stolen vehicle.
Hill St (2 incidents) 1 x burg, 1 stolen vehicl
Don comments .....
A few months ago my team led by Sergeant Gwilliam initiated a quick response approach focusing on local retail crime in Onehunga.
We have seen an amazing result considering all the other demands that community policing require of our team.
Check points will increase in Auckland over the next few months for drivers to take a roadside evidential breath test.
Don has put information on "Trees and boundaries in relation to trimming" & "Can I cut back branches or roots encroaching from my neighbours property" "What can I do if a neighbour’s tree is dangerous or blocking the view or light?" "Who pays for the work if the court makes an order to remove or trim a tree? " " What if the neighbour doesn’t carry out the court order? "
Onehunga Community Patrol - what they do and how to join.
This is a very worthwhile & helpful community activity.... check it out if you feel you'd like to help.
Stay safe and Spring is here with lambs and blossoms
Colleen :-)
Best way to use leftovers?
I'm sure you've got some excess ham at home or cold roast potatoes.
What are some of your favourite ways to use leftover food from Christmas day? Share below.
Te Pūrākau o Te Rangatira Ngākau Hūmarie - Day 34
The Tale of the Humble Leader
In a small Māori village near the coast of Aotearoa, the whānau were preparing for Te Rā o te Kirihimete (Christmas Day). It was a time of celebration, sharing, and remembering the values of aroha (love), manaakitanga (hospitality), and kotahitanga (unity). However, this year, the village faced a challenge. Their rangatira, Wiremu, had grown distant and prideful, burdened by his position.
Wiremu often made decisions alone, thinking that his wisdom and authority were enough to guide the iwi. While the villagers respected him, they felt unheard, and the spirit of unity began to fade.
As the Kirihimete celebrations approached, the kaumātua, Hinewai, decided to intervene. She invited Wiremu to the marae one evening, where she shared a story about Tāwhaki, the demigod who ascended to the heavens not through power, but through humility and service.
“Wiremu,” Hinewai said, “even the greatest leaders are at their strongest when they serve their people. Leadership is not about standing above others but walking beside them.”
Wiremu reflected on her words but was unsure how to change.
The Lesson of the Whetū (Stars)
On Christmas Eve, as the village prepared for their festivities, a fierce storm rolled in from the sea. The winds howled, and the rain poured, threatening to ruin the celebration. The central whare kai (dining hall) began to leak, and the decorations the tamariki had made were soaked. The people gathered anxiously, unsure of how to proceed.
Wiremu stood at the edge of the marae, looking at the chaos. In that moment, Hinewai’s words echoed in his mind: “Even the greatest leaders serve their people.”
Without hesitation, Wiremu took off his korowai (cloak of leadership) and joined the villagers. He grabbed buckets to catch the rain, helped rebuild the decorations, and reassured the tamariki that their work would be restored. His humility inspired others, and soon the entire iwi was working together, laughing and singing as they prepared the whare for the celebration.
A Kirihimete Under the Stars
When the storm cleared, the sky was filled with bright whetū (stars). The villagers gathered around a glowing fire outside the whare, sharing kai and stories of gratitude. Wiremu stood among them, no longer as a distant rangatira, but as a friend and servant of his people.
Under the starlit sky, Hinewai stood and addressed the iwi.
“This Kirihimete, we are reminded that true leadership is like the brightest whetū. It does not shine to outdo others but guides them through darkness. Wiremu has shown us the power of humility, and through his service, we have rediscovered our unity.”
Wiremu bowed his head humbly. “Tonight, you have all taught me that a leader is nothing without their people. Let us carry this spirit of kotahitanga and aroha into the new year.”
The villagers cheered, and the spirit of Te Rā o te Kirihimete shone brightly in their hearts.
Moral of the Story:
Leadership is not about authority or pride but about humility and service. Like the whetū that guide travelers, a true leader walks alongside their people, bringing light and unity through service and aroha. At Christmas, we are reminded of the importance of giving, humility, and leading with love.
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
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