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Our region's vibrant cultures are celebrated this month with World of Cultures (18 March - 3 April).
This festival offers free activities online and in-person across Tāmaki Makaurau.
With easy long-distance international travel still a way off, you can still immerse yourself in Pacific … View moreOur region's vibrant cultures are celebrated this month with World of Cultures (18 March - 3 April).
This festival offers free activities online and in-person across Tāmaki Makaurau.
With easy long-distance international travel still a way off, you can still immerse yourself in Pacific weaving, admire hand-drawn Indonesian batik fabrics, join a Bollywood dance class and watch live cultural performances.
Although this year's festival is smaller due to COVID-19 restrictions, World of Cultures is a great opportunity to learn, dance, eat and explore everything that makes Auckland a unique and incredible place to live.
Visit the World of Cultures website for more activity details including COVID-19 restrictions for in-person events by clicking on -Read More'.
Australia has taken up New Zealand's offer to resettle up to 150 refugees per year nearly a decade after the offer was first made.
The deal, first offered in 2013, would mean asylum seekers, some who have been held indefinitely in limbo in such centres on Manus Island and Nauru, could soon … View moreAustralia has taken up New Zealand's offer to resettle up to 150 refugees per year nearly a decade after the offer was first made.
The deal, first offered in 2013, would mean asylum seekers, some who have been held indefinitely in limbo in such centres on Manus Island and Nauru, could soon come to New Zealand.
The initial three-year arrangement would see up to 450 people resettle in New Zealand through the existing refugee quota programme, and initially cover those who met certain criteria.
The Green Party has welcomed the deal to resettle those "held unlawfully in Australia's prison islands" but says the number should be over and above the current quota of 1500 a year - a commitment New Zealand has not met for three years.
In announcing the deal, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said the long-standing offer reflected New Zealand and Australia's close relationship.
"New Zealand is very pleased that Australia has taken up the offer to resettle up to 150 refugees annually for three years," Faafoi said.
"New Zealand has a long and proud history of refugee resettlement and this arrangement is another example of how we are fulfilling our humanitarian international commitment.
"We are pleased to be able to provide resettlement outcomes for refugees who would otherwise have continued to face uncertain futures."
Green Party human rights and refugee spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman said they welcomed the "long overdue deal" to resettle those held "unlawfully in Australia's prison islands".
"We welcome wholeheartedly the refugees preparing to travel to Aotearoa from Manus and Nauru.
"But I think Australia deserves some very harsh criticism on the delay. We know Australia is the kind of country where successive governments have been torturing refugees on prison islands."
Ghahraman said the deal should come on top of the existing quota, which New Zealand had not met for three years due to the pandemic. This would also allow New Zealand to better support the crisis in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Since July 2019, just over 1500 quota refugees have arrived here, out of 4500 spaces.
Last year just 263 arrived. Additionally spaces for 300 family members a year have not been filled, with just 164 arriving over the past nearly three years from 900 spaces.
Ghahraman said New Zealand needed to do more to pressure Australia to shut its offshore detention centres permanently.
"We have our closest ally, right next door, holding people in conditions that have been described by the likes of Amnesty International and the United Nations... as being akin to torture.
"Australia is torturing people right next door in our Pacific neighbourhood. New Zealand needs to be a very loud voice of criticism and work constructively to shut down the centres."
The deal was struck by former prime ministers John Key and Julia Gillard in 2013 when New Zealand offered to assist with the thousands of asylum seekers arriving in the country, many by boat.
Key had said at the time it was an acknowledgement that New Zealand should share the burden. Per capita, Australia takes in about twice as many refugees per year as New Zealand.
The Australian Government had been concerned the agreement could see refugees who came to New Zealand try to travel back to Australia after they gained residency and/or citizenship, and settle permanently there.
Faafoi has said any refugees arriving here would eventually get the full rights and responsibilities of New Zealand citizens, and any decision on them being able to travel to Australia was for Australia.
Australia's Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said despite the deal their "strong border protection policies had not changed and no one who attempted to travel to Australia illegally by boat would ever settle here".
"This arrangement does not apply to anyone who attempts an illegal maritime journey to Australia in the future.
"Australia remains firm – illegal maritime arrivals will not settle here permanently.
"Anyone who attempts to breach our borders will be turned back or sent to Nauru."
Under the deal, all applications to resettle in New Zealand would undergo the same quota processes – including credibility, security, risk and biometric checks and health assessment – that New Zealand applies to all refugees through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees process.
Refugees under the deal could include those who are in Nauru or are temporarily in Australia under regional processing arrangements, along with those who meet general quota requirements and/or are referred to New Zealand by the UNHCR.
It would include those who are not engaged in other third-country resettlement pathways, such as the United States resettlement arrangement.
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/www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealand-and-australia-reach-deal-over-refugee-resettlement-offer
Maybe you’re thinking the recycling fairies at Auckland Council will magically sort your hazardous waste.
Gas bottles cause fires in rubbish and recycling trucks. Take your gas bottle to TankTest or Matagas for free, or drop it off at a Community Recycling Centre. Never put a gas bottle in … View moreMaybe you’re thinking the recycling fairies at Auckland Council will magically sort your hazardous waste.
Gas bottles cause fires in rubbish and recycling trucks. Take your gas bottle to TankTest or Matagas for free, or drop it off at a Community Recycling Centre. Never put a gas bottle in your kerbside bin, Think before you throw.
"I am very happy that I got Excellence in my Multivariate data Internal with the help of EMT"
From 17 Feb 2022 to 27 Feb 2022 (reported next day) the total number of NZ COVID-19 cases from early 2020 quadrupled from 25,000 to 100,000 cases. Consider when the number of community cases will quadruple again to 400,000 cases. When will the number of community cases in NZ reach 400,000 cases. … View moreFrom 17 Feb 2022 to 27 Feb 2022 (reported next day) the total number of NZ COVID-19 cases from early 2020 quadrupled from 25,000 to 100,000 cases. Consider when the number of community cases will quadruple again to 400,000 cases. When will the number of community cases in NZ reach 400,000 cases. Which is the best choice?
Inspired by root vegetables, our Diploma chef students have prepared vegetable Ravioli made not with pasta but from Beetroot and Swede (Rutabaga). The vegetable ravioli is stuffed with a puree of mushrooms.
For the second dish, tomatoes with stuffed with tomato compote, basil mayo, and … View moreInspired by root vegetables, our Diploma chef students have prepared vegetable Ravioli made not with pasta but from Beetroot and Swede (Rutabaga). The vegetable ravioli is stuffed with a puree of mushrooms.
For the second dish, tomatoes with stuffed with tomato compote, basil mayo, and Parmigiano wafers.
See how covid spreads
If faith related gathering need a physical distancing of 1m
For other gatherings doesn’t require any distance
Not sure the logic behind it…
Still people will support this decision blindly
Te Atatu Food Truck Fridays is back this Friday April 1st. There will be a selection of Auckland’s best street food and the Te Atatu South vinyl collective spinning tunes. The night will also feature Te Atatu’s repair café in the community centre. Bring along your items to be fixed. Save the … View moreTe Atatu Food Truck Fridays is back this Friday April 1st. There will be a selection of Auckland’s best street food and the Te Atatu South vinyl collective spinning tunes. The night will also feature Te Atatu’s repair café in the community centre. Bring along your items to be fixed. Save the date at www.facebook.com....
April 1st - 4:30pm to 8:30pm – Te Atatu South Community Centre.
The food trucks joining us on the night will be:
- Captain Kai Moana - will be serving up classic NZ kaimoana goodness like mouth-watering scallops in fry bread, chowder pockets and the occasional scrumptious crayfish. They will be bringing two cooking rigs instead of the usual one to deal with demand!
- Nom Nom – South East Asian inspired rice bowls brimming with flavour
- Manila Eats – Primo Pinoy inspired gourmet rolls and other tasty treats
- Mama Yoya's - Everyone's favourite authentic Mexican cuisine queen
- The Langos Lady - Hungarian Fried Bread with sweet and savoury toppings
- Kookie Haus/ Doughnut Haus - Next level cookies and doughnuts
- Victor and Vern - Serving your coffee, iced chocolate and homemade soda fix.
This night will be a bit different to past seasons and will be an outdoor takeaway picnic event in line with the covid restrictions in place. Plenty of space in Lloyd Morgan Park to spread out and enjoy some tasty food. As we are takeaway, no covid pass checks required or no queues to get in.
Plenty of parking available. Walking or cycling up is even easier. Take part in the Bike Te Atatu buycycle event with a chance to win prizes. We hope to see people come out again to support the food trucks and community.
We are still looking for passionate and dedicated volunteers to help support our shop teams to keep our doors open for valued customers.
If you’d like to volunteer in a Red Cross Shop and you're looking for a fun team to spend a few hours with while doing good, just hit the button below … View moreWe are still looking for passionate and dedicated volunteers to help support our shop teams to keep our doors open for valued customers.
If you’d like to volunteer in a Red Cross Shop and you're looking for a fun team to spend a few hours with while doing good, just hit the button below for more information👇.
To protect our teams, all our staff and volunteers need to practice physical distancing, be fully vaccinated, wear face masks and follow increased hygiene standards.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Temperatures are going down, but it's easy to bring the warmth up at home without heating up your power bill or our planet.
It's second nature to us to add layers when we go out. We pull on socks, leggings, jumpers, coats, and hats.
For a warm and inviting winter home, layer up … View moreTemperatures are going down, but it's easy to bring the warmth up at home without heating up your power bill or our planet.
It's second nature to us to add layers when we go out. We pull on socks, leggings, jumpers, coats, and hats.
For a warm and inviting winter home, layer up your spaces with our growing range of sustainable and affordable cushions, throws, and furniture.
Start adding your layers today and by the time winter really kicks in, you'll be ready to kick back and relax.
Names change significantly from place to place and from time to time. They are difficult to remember. The New Testament contains many named individuals. One can see the statistical distribution of names in the Gospel area from ancient literature and from inscriptions in tombs. Using modern … View moreNames change significantly from place to place and from time to time. They are difficult to remember. The New Testament contains many named individuals. One can see the statistical distribution of names in the Gospel area from ancient literature and from inscriptions in tombs. Using modern statistical techniques these can be compared with the distribution of names from the New Testament; it can be seen that the two distributions match very well. It would be very difficult for even a modern author to invent names with the correct distribution; an ancient writer would not have the statistical methods to even attempt to do so.
This is very good evidence that the Gospels were written close to the time of Jesus, and that the writers did not invent the stories in them. The fact that the names are remembered at all indicates that the accounts were remembered in detail and not just in general terms.
Click "Read More" to watch a YouTube video on this topic.
As we have seen with the flooding in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia, climate can pose a significant threat to our homes!
Thousands of people have been evacuated, and many made homeless as a result of the floods. Our homes are often our most significant investments, and the cost of … View moreAs we have seen with the flooding in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia, climate can pose a significant threat to our homes!
Thousands of people have been evacuated, and many made homeless as a result of the floods. Our homes are often our most significant investments, and the cost of these events can be devastating!
Using the Climate Insights residential property tool, you can identify any risks that your home may face in the future with a changing climate. This information, along with adaptation options, allows you to prepare!
It’s almost time to Drive Away a Dream! Just spend $100 or more in-store or online at www.heathcotes.co.nz and you’ll be in to win a new Volkswagen Tiguan Sport!*
Shop our range of TV, Audio, Kitchen, Laundry, IT, Cameras & more and for a limited time, score double entries with every … View moreIt’s almost time to Drive Away a Dream! Just spend $100 or more in-store or online at www.heathcotes.co.nz and you’ll be in to win a new Volkswagen Tiguan Sport!*
Shop our range of TV, Audio, Kitchen, Laundry, IT, Cameras & more and for a limited time, score double entries with every eligible purchase! Entries close April 5th , so get in quick!
The Heathcotes Team
*T&Cs apply. Double Entries available on eligible purchases made between March 24th 2022 & April 5th 2022. View full promotion terms here.
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