Te Atatu South, Auckland

1823 days ago

More than 500,000 New Zealand students drive themselves or are driven by somebody else to school every day

Brian from New Lynn

For the first time, Stats NZ asked people about their main means of travelling to their place of education. It found 128,000 drove themselves, and 450,000 were driven by someone else. About 113,000 get a school bus, 82,000 a public bus and just 21,000 hop on a train. St Kentigern College year 13 … View moreFor the first time, Stats NZ asked people about their main means of travelling to their place of education. It found 128,000 drove themselves, and 450,000 were driven by someone else. About 113,000 get a school bus, 82,000 a public bus and just 21,000 hop on a train. St Kentigern College year 13 student Ben Fraser said most of the pupils in his year and the year below drove themselves to school. "We're in a society that really thinks driving is like a demonstration of being successful and being wealthy and [it] doesn't see public transport as having those same qualities," he said. "If you're on public transport, people will see that as being only because you can't afford to own your own car. There's also of course the element that when you get your restricted when you're 16, that's a really exciting opportunity. You feel like you're becoming an adult and that you're maturing." Mr Fraser, who's also the deputy chairperson of the Howick Youth Council, said he still takes the bus - not only because he can't afford a car but because it's just more convenient. "I'm in a position where I'm quite lucky because going on public transport is actually quicker for me to get to school than driving. On my route to school we've got a T2 lane, which means that my bus doesn't have to compete with all the cars in the area, and the buses come really regularly." In New Zealand's biggest and most congested city, Auckland Transport says traffic volumes are reduced by 10 to 15 per cent during the school holidays - representing some 70,000 fewer car trips. Transport commentator Matt Lowrie, from the Greater Auckland website, said the latest numbers weren't a surprise to him, because many parents think it's too dangerous for their children to make their own way to school. "We often hear stories of very bad behaviour by parents dropping their kids off at school in their cars. The less safe the environment is for kids to walk and cycle to school ... more parents say will say, 'Well, I'm not going to let my kid walk or cycle to school'. And so you have more people driving again," he said. "It's a cycle that goes around in circles and means as a result, we have kids that are less healthy and less active. And it also causes more congestion." When it came to high school and university students driving themselves, most students were on restricted licences so couldn't carry passengers. However, Mr Lowrie said it was too simplistic to think reducing vehicle numbers to school holiday levels would see free-flowing traffic all the time. "As the roads are clearer it encourages more people to drive and drive at times when they might want to travel as opposed to delaying travel, or not making the trip at all. Or making it by another method. "So the presence of free-flowing motorways is great ... [but] it encourages more people to drive and therefore will eventually back up again." Secondary Principals Association president Deidre Shea pointed out that some parents were dropping off children at more than one centre. Many people also travelled long distances to get to schools or other education facilities far from their homes, she said.
"Particularly in Auckland but in the other bigger centres as well, there are a number of young people who do not attend the local school and that makes a huge difference to the travel across our city," she said. "If folks attended their local school there would be a lot less traffic on the roads during term time." Ms Shea believes - and hopes - that with growing concern about human impact on the environment, students will increasingly opt to hop on a bus or train and leave the car at home.
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1820 days ago

Free

John from Avondale

Toy box will need a van or Ute.john 0276615983

Free

Z
1820 days ago

Relocation Garage Sale

Zong-Pei from West Harbour

Relocation Garage Sale -

Sunday 6 October 2019 from 09:30 - 14:00

63 Renoir Street, West Harbour

Everything on sale must go! Leaving country in five days time...!!
Come grab a bargain. Some free stuff. Many $2 stuff. Some electronics/appliances at incredible prices.

Negotiable

1821 days ago

Have you voted yet?

The Team from Auckland Council

Have your say! Vote for the Auckland you love in the local elections.

You should have your voting papers now, so rip into it!

Last day to post your papers is Tuesday 8th October, or drop them into a ballot box before midday Saturday 12 October.
Find out more

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1821 days ago

Spring Festival at West Lynn Garden

Marguerite Durling from West Lynn Garden

Come and join the fun on Sunday 13 October
10am-3.30pm
BBQ & Refreshments
Bouncy Castle & Activities
Plant Sales & Craft Market

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1821 days ago

Visit the Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival

Taranaki Garden Trust

Organised and produced by gardeners who are passionate about their craft, our 10-day Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival provides the opportunity to observe garden construction and planting, talk to the gardeners, obtain practical advice and be enchanted by the incredible landscapes that have been … View moreOrganised and produced by gardeners who are passionate about their craft, our 10-day Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival provides the opportunity to observe garden construction and planting, talk to the gardeners, obtain practical advice and be enchanted by the incredible landscapes that have been created throughout the region.

The Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival is a unique experience that will inspire and motivate you to take your gardening skills to the next level. Our festival is in its 15th year, our success being due to the diversity and quality of the gardens we have on offer.

We invite you to come and visit our 40+ gardens and enjoy the arts, crafts and vintage machinery on our festival trail. Purchase plants seen in various gardens and receive amazing hospitality from our garden hosts.

In 2019 the festival runs from 1st Nov - 10th Nov. See our website for more details or to download a brochure. Brochures available at iSite's and major garden centres. $2pp entry fee to each garden.
Find out more

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1821 days ago

NO JUNK MAIL, POSTED LETTERS ONLY! (Confusion, for the diffusion, illusion and the other "usions" that you can think of)

Matt from Henderson

Hi Neighbourly, "No Junk Mail - Posted Letters Only! I have much confusion about this mailbox signage of people's mailbox. When I am delivering newspapers mainly to the areas I deliver to, around Woodford Ave, Buscomb Ava, Te Kanawa, Part of Swanson Road, Lincoln Road, I see this … View moreHi Neighbourly, "No Junk Mail - Posted Letters Only! I have much confusion about this mailbox signage of people's mailbox. When I am delivering newspapers mainly to the areas I deliver to, around Woodford Ave, Buscomb Ava, Te Kanawa, Part of Swanson Road, Lincoln Road, I see this signage on people's mailbox.

These are the straightforward signages I see daily which I think are pretty easier to understand and are readable:

Address Mail Only: Posted envelopes or letters
No Junk Mail: No Advertising or Circulars in these mailboxes
Strictly No Newspapers or Circulars; (Pretty Straightforward what that one means)

This is what I don't understand, I deliver the newspapers to the "No Junk Mail, Posted Letters Only" to other mailboxes and have had no complaints to those people who do want a newspaper. (Talking about the Western Leaders I deliver to people mailboxes every week).

I did deliver newspapers to the other mailboxes with the same "No Junk Mail, Poster Letters Only" and my circular delivery person who drops off the deliveries at my house said that "such and such person at this number does not want a newspaper" So I look at the number at the mailbox with the "No Junk Mail, Posted Letters Only" and now just carry on to the next mailbox to deliver my newspaper to.

Anyone who does have the "No Junk Mail, Posted Letters" but do not want a newspaper, could you please put a "No Newspapers" sticker on your mailbox so it makes clearer sense for me and for others who deliver newspapers in your area.

Thanks.
Matt

1821 days ago

Five Things You Need To Stop Doing Before Going To Bed

Beds4U Avondale

Tossing and turning and waking up cranky is never fun, so it’s time to face the facts. You may not be getting enough zzz’s due to one of these unhealthy, before-bed habits. If some much-needed sleep is on your wish list, avoid making these mistakes at night. Check out the full blog

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1822 days ago

Get your voting papers in on ‘Vote Day’ - Saturday 5 October

Daniel Webster from Local Government New Zealand

Local Government New Zealand is urging people to post their voting papers on Vote Day – Saturday 5 October 2019.

All voting papers must be returned to the relevant council by midday on Saturday 12 October, and voters need to factor in the time it will take the papers to get through the postal … View more
Local Government New Zealand is urging people to post their voting papers on Vote Day – Saturday 5 October 2019.

All voting papers must be returned to the relevant council by midday on Saturday 12 October, and voters need to factor in the time it will take the papers to get through the postal system.

New Zealand Post advises that the Standard Post delivery target is up to 3 working days for nationwide delivery, while delivery to and from rural areas may take longer. However, these targets are guides only, and are not guaranteed – delivery may take longer.

Visit www.nzpost.co.nz... to find your nearest post box or office. To get more information on your local candidates, visit policylocal.nz and local council websites for both information and meet the candidate schedules.

“Some of the main reasons people give for not voting are they forgot, ran out of time or were too busy,” says LGNZ Chief Executive Malcolm Alexander.

“So to make sure people give themselves the best chance to have their say we are encouraging people to vote early on what we’ve dubbed Vote Day. Fill out your papers during the week and then to pop them in the paid envelope and into the nearest post box on Saturday 5 October.”

“Voting papers have to arrive at council offices by midday Saturday 12 October, so sending them in on Vote Day gives them plenty of time to get through the postal system.”

Mr Alexander says it is important New Zealanders participate in the selection of the people who will make decisions that affect most people’s lives on a daily basis.

“Local government shapes the place that you live. It’s the pavements you walk on, the roads where you drive, the water you drink, shower in and swim in, your parks, libraries and swimming pools where you take the kids,” Mr Alexander says.

“There’s been a lot of robust public conversation around climate change, the housing crisis, the quality of our water and our transport options, and now is the time to turn that conversation into a vote that influences your local leadership.”

“Voters can still post their papers after 5 October, but there is no harm in doing it earlier,” Mr Alexander says.

Eligible voters who didn’t enrol before 16 August won’t receive their papers in the mail, but can make a special vote by visiting their local council offices, or by contacting their Council Electoral Officer.

What: ‘Vote Day’
When: Saturday 5 October 2019
Why: Make sure you have your say by voting early
How: Visit www.nzpost.co.nz... to find your nearest post box or office. To get more information on your local candidates, visit policylocal.nz and local council websites for both information and meet the candidate schedules.

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1822 days ago

Cape Reinga to Bluff

Graeme Dingle Foundation

The amazing Marian Campbell and friend Kay Garland have taken off on their journey along the Te Araroa trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

She's raising funds for the youth in our programmes and we'll keep you updated throughout her journey.

Thank you for inspiring us and showing young … View more
The amazing Marian Campbell and friend Kay Garland have taken off on their journey along the Te Araroa trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

She's raising funds for the youth in our programmes and we'll keep you updated throughout her journey.

Thank you for inspiring us and showing young people across Aotearoa that what they have inside is greater than any obstacle.

Kia kaha Marian and Kay!

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