Titirangi, Auckland

1696 days ago

Sikhs to hand out thousands of free food parcels to needy

Brian from New Lynn

About 1100 food parcels were being prepared and those needing them are being asked to collect them from the Takanini Sikh Gurdwara every Friday and Monday between 4 and 6pm. But a woman, who contacted the Herald about the exercise, said this "again shows the double standards" of the … View moreAbout 1100 food parcels were being prepared and those needing them are being asked to collect them from the Takanini Sikh Gurdwara every Friday and Monday between 4 and 6pm. But a woman, who contacted the Herald about the exercise, said this "again shows the double standards" of the Government in allowing some to hand out food, but classifying greengrocers and butchers as non-essential services during the lockdown. Counties Manukau Police Inspector Jared Pirret said police were working closely with the temple around providing advice and education on the current alert level 4 requirements. "We have since cited the temple's classification as an essential social service provider," Pirret said. "Through our community networks, Counties Manukau Police are aware of a number of families in need of assistance. "As one of our partners, we have asked the temple whether they would be able to assist some of those families with food parcels." Pirret acknowledged the temple's willingness to assist in the request, but said police would not be participating in any deliveries. Pirret said any group wanting to undertake work in this space "should seek advice from relevant authorities around the level 4 requirements" before doing it. Supreme Sikh Council spokesman Daljit Singh said between 25 and 40 volunteers were helping to pack and distribute the food parcels. "We have had many families contacting us, some have not been eating properly for days," he said. "A solo mum with three young kids who hasn't eaten called us one evening, and we sent someone to drop off food to her at 9pm that night." He said as the Covid-19 lockdown goes on, an increasing number of people were struggling to get food on the table. Volunteers also prepared up to 50 food parcels daily to drop off at homes of people who are either in self-isolation or did not have access to supermarkets. "We don't ask any questions and it is open to all ethnicities and nationalities, if they need the food parcels, we will make sure they get them," Singh said. The entire exercise is contactless, those collecting food at the temple are asked to drive in one gate, open their boot for a volunteer to load the parcel and then drive out through another gate. The food parcels contain bread, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables. Auckland Council has also set up a food distribution centre at Spark Arena after receiving 3000 requests for help since announcing last week that it would be providing emergency food parcels on behalf of the Government. Anyone who is unable to go to the supermarket, or is suffering financial hardship as a result of the lockdown, is eligible for the food parcels, which are being couriered to people's homes. It is expected about 5000 parcels a week will be sent out once demand stabilises. Last Monday, hundreds of food parcels were also handed out to Indian nationals stuck in the country by the Indian Consulate in Auckland. Under a government-managed exit plan, thousands of foreigners stranded in New Zealand under the Covid-19 lockdown started leaving on Friday - but Indians have been unable to do so because of India's international flights ban.
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1697 days ago

Let the games begin

The Team from Resene ColorShop New Lynn

Recreate a classic game in an unconventional format using Resene testpots to paint your own dominoes. Smooth rocks, like those found on the beach or in a river bed, work best for this project.

Take the kids out to search for ones that lay flat and are generally round or oblong in shape. If you … View more
Recreate a classic game in an unconventional format using Resene testpots to paint your own dominoes. Smooth rocks, like those found on the beach or in a river bed, work best for this project.

Take the kids out to search for ones that lay flat and are generally round or oblong in shape. If you don’t live near water, you should be able to get some from your local garden supply store.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene.

Find out how to create your own rock domino set.

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1707 days ago

PRICE GOUGING

Maria from Kelston

Very upset to see today when i wen't up to pick up a script for a elderly gent from Kelston Pharmacy today that they where charging $5.OO for a face mask and $1 .OO for a pair of disposable gloves. The face mask would have have cost them a few cents if that and 2 gloves for a dollar, what a … View moreVery upset to see today when i wen't up to pick up a script for a elderly gent from Kelston Pharmacy today that they where charging $5.OO for a face mask and $1 .OO for a pair of disposable gloves. The face mask would have have cost them a few cents if that and 2 gloves for a dollar, what a load of shite. How many people CAN AFFORD WHAT YOU ARE CHARGING. I USED TO THINK YOU GUYS WERE GREAT BUT I AM GLAD I DON'T USE YOU FOR MY SCRIPTS.SHAME YOU ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PANDEMIC.


































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1697 days ago

Small businesses in your community need a hand!

SOS Business

Hi neighbours! SOS Business was set up to help local businesses in your community. It means you can buy gift cards from your favourite cafés, restaurants and service providers and then redeem them when they re-open after lockdown.

You can play a special part helping small businesses stay … View more
Hi neighbours! SOS Business was set up to help local businesses in your community. It means you can buy gift cards from your favourite cafés, restaurants and service providers and then redeem them when they re-open after lockdown.

You can play a special part helping small businesses stay afloat during this time. Spread the word to your friends and family so that we can help as many local businesses as we can.

Thanks for being a great neighbour by being a lifeline for businesses in your community.

PS - in case you were wondering, due to the success of SOS Café, and the number of other service businesses now on the Platform, the team have rebranded to SOS Business – Save Our Small Business!
Support a local business

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1697 days ago

Look our for others

The Team from North Shore, Rodney & West Auckland Police

We know some of you are facing threatening and potentially harmful times at home right now. Police will be there for you if you call us.

If you are in immediate danger and can’t call 111, leave your house and get out of harm’s way. Get to a safe distance and then ask a neighbour over a fence, … View more
We know some of you are facing threatening and potentially harmful times at home right now. Police will be there for you if you call us.

If you are in immediate danger and can’t call 111, leave your house and get out of harm’s way. Get to a safe distance and then ask a neighbour over a fence, or a passer-by, to call 111 for you. Your safety comes first.

It’s everybody’s responsibility to speak out and keep each other safe right now. If you think something is not ok with a friend, neighbour, or colleague, it’s okay to call Police on their behalf. The person you’re worried about may not be able to speak up for themselves. You could be saving a life.

For more information or support: www.police.govt.nz...

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1699 days ago

International planes still flying into New Zealand ...WHY??🛫🛬

Fiona from Henderson

Would someone out there be able to tell me why are we (New Zealand) still allowing planes from China, Malaysia, Hong Hong, Honolulu, Santiago, Doha & even Fiji to land here in this lockdown?
I thought that the extended timeframe for these airlines was last Friday.
It is still happening daily.
View more
Would someone out there be able to tell me why are we (New Zealand) still allowing planes from China, Malaysia, Hong Hong, Honolulu, Santiago, Doha & even Fiji to land here in this lockdown?
I thought that the extended timeframe for these airlines was last Friday.
It is still happening daily.
Before anyone says it's only Air New Zealand flying anywhere or even maybe they are cargo flights, they're not.
The various airlines flying in or out are:
China Eastern Airlines
China Southern Airlines
Shanghai Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Fiji Airways
Polynesian
Cathay Pacific
LATAM Airlines
Qatar Airways
Qantas
I do know that Swiss Air and Lufthansa (along with Austrian Airlines later in the week) are here for a 'mercy dash' to remove their citizens via Auckland & Christchurch, so they don't count.

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1697 days ago

Making the most of your Easter staycation

The Team from Auckland Council

There are plenty of things you and your family can do this Easter weekend, with the majority done from the comfort of your home.

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1697 days ago

April Challenge Month

NumberWorks'nWords New Lynn

Here are our 2nd week of challenges. Might help fill in a bit of time and a great thing to do as a family.

1697 days ago

Schools won't re-open as soon as lockdown lifts

Brian from New Lynn

Education Minister Chris Hipkins is warning parents it would be wrong for them to assume that all schools will reopen as soon as the lockdown ends. "That's not going to happen," he told the Epidemic Response Committee this morning. Hipkins said parents would need to prepare to have … View moreEducation Minister Chris Hipkins is warning parents it would be wrong for them to assume that all schools will reopen as soon as the lockdown ends. "That's not going to happen," he told the Epidemic Response Committee this morning. Hipkins said parents would need to prepare to have their kids at home for longer than the four-week lockdown period. "It's going to be a progressive reopening of the system, rather than a big bang all at once." The same went for tertiary institutions and early childhood centres as well. Although Hipkins said that at level 3 there would be more flexibility, it would take a while for most schools to reopen. New Zealand is just past the halfway point in the four-week lockdown period – however the Government has always maintained that the lockdown can be extended. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has so far provided no confirmation as to whether level 4 would be extended. Hipkins said the key measure as to when schools would reopen would be based on health advice.
The Government was working on a number of different packages and initiatives in this area for when New Zealand goes back down to level three. Hipkins thanked the entire educational community for "keeping the system running" over the lockdown. "It's been incredibly difficult," he said. He also thanked parents who have their kids at home – "I want to take my hat off to them". Hipkins also had a message for those parents who are helping with their children's learning over lockdown: "Be reasonable of your expectations of yourself". He also warned parents to be "reasonable" when it comes to their expectations of their young children's productivity. So far, 20,000 work book packages have been delivered to kids so far – that number will jump to 60,000 next week, Hipkins said.
And the Government is gearing up to be in a position where it can deliver half a million workbooks across the country, he said. These were primarily for those students who don't have access to internet or the appropriate devices. If costs continue to be a barrier for learning, the Government would look into that, Hipkins said. "We will make sure it [cost] is not a barrier." Asked if the Government was planning on providing a support package for schools heavily impacted by the drop in international students, Hipkins said: "We will have to do some modelling on that". He pointed out that the wage subsidy scheme was available to those in the tertiary education sector.
But he said the Government will not subsidise international students.
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1697 days ago

Appreciation post

The Team from North Shore, Rodney & West Auckland Police

Thank you to all our essential service workers working tirelessly to ensure our communities are kept safe.

Issac is 81years old and was observed by a member of the public struggling to walk to the supermarket. A quick interaction with Isaac revealed he was in need of some intervention.

Community … View more
Thank you to all our essential service workers working tirelessly to ensure our communities are kept safe.

Issac is 81years old and was observed by a member of the public struggling to walk to the supermarket. A quick interaction with Isaac revealed he was in need of some intervention.

Community Constable Reuben Boniface ?‍♂️ was able to connect Issac with Age Concern Southland and with their assistance provide a care package of cooked meals and loaves of bread to help him through this time ? #kindnessgoesalongway

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1697 days ago

Lockdown leaves west Auckland family waiting for dad's funeral

Melanie Earley Reporter from Western Leader

Kia ora neighbours, a west Auckland family must wait at least a month before holding a funeral for their beloved dad due to coronavirus restrictions. Paul van Golstein, 60, died suddenly at home on March 24, the day before the country went into level 4 lockdown.

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