Poll: Do you agree Matariki or Māori New Year should be a public holiday?
Hi neighbours,
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has announced Labour will make Matariki New Zealand’s twelth public holiday from 2022 if re-elected.
The new winter public holiday would fall at some point during the Matariki period, with an expectation that it would always happen on either a Monday or a Friday.
The policy announcement follows a series of public campaigns for the Matariki, which acts as the Māori New Year, to be recognised.
The exact timing of Matariki shifts every year as it relates to a star cluster reappearing and has traditionally varied between Iwi.
It would be the first new public holiday since the Third Labour Government made Waitangi Day a public holiday in 1973, although then Prime Minister Norman Kirk called it “New Zealand Day”.
“Matariki will be a distinctly New Zealand holiday and a time for reflection, celebration and to look to the future as we take increasing pride in our unique national identity,” Ardern said.
She said the struggling tourism sector could use the help of another holiday and noted the “long run” with no public holidays that currently happens between Queen’s Birthday in early June and Labour Day in late October.
“We don’t have many statutory holidays compared to other OECD countries and it would be good to break up the long run through winter,” Ardern said.
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63.8% Yes
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36.2% No
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP 😁 Mairangi Bay Presbyterian Church, 8-10 Penzance Road, Mairangi Bay
Join us for a fun filled afternoon of learning & practising your English skills. Every Wednesday our church runs a English Conversation Group 1pm - 2.30pm. No skill level required to attend. 👍Everybody welcome! Stewart & Raewyn are the hosts & make learning fun. Easy parking 🚗🚙outside the door. A gold coin donation appreciated, but not necessary to go towards the cost of running the classes. Pencil us in your diary....hope to see you there! Cheers Helen 😄
ENGLISH CHAT GROUP 😁 Forrest Hill Church, 151 Forrest Hill Road, Forrest Hill
Do you need help learning English? 😄 Every Monday we run our English Chat Group. There are 2 sessions. Its up to you, attend both or choose one that is convenient for you 😃The morning session is 10am - 12pm and the evening session is 7pm - 8.30pm. Meet others, join in our conversations, fun & laughter is guaranteed! Tea ☕️🍪 & biscuits provided at both groups. Easy parking outside the door. We welcome anyone and bring a friend if you wish. A gold coin 🪙donation greatly appreciated to cover costs, but not necessary. See you there! 😁 Cheers Helen
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