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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 … View moreHi 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.
As we start tending to our gardens and planning what to grow for the warmer months ahead, perhaps consider if there's something else you should be growing in your community such as stronger connections to your neighbours.
Research shows that loneliness is strongly associated with low mental … View moreAs we start tending to our gardens and planning what to grow for the warmer months ahead, perhaps consider if there's something else you should be growing in your community such as stronger connections to your neighbours.
Research shows that loneliness is strongly associated with low mental health + well-being. Whether you have a wide social network or prefer to only have a few close friends, joining Neighbourhood Support is a great way to feel supported and connected to those nearby. You never know when you might need a little help from a local friend!
Join or setup a group for FREE by getting in touch with us here...
Hi neighbours,
A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street.
Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near new … View moreHi neighbours,
A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street.
Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near new housing or business developments, under newly released housing guidelines.
The change comes as the Government looks to encourage development, in part by freeing up land held up by car parks, under its new National Policy Statement for urban development.
Property developer Phil Robinson said scrapping car park rules was a “big change”, but he was unsure if it was a “big win”.
What do you think of having more new builds in your area with fewer driveways and garages?
There's been a surge in the number of people returning to New Zealand from India who have tested positive for Covid-19.
It comes at the same time India has overtaken Brazil to become the second worst-Covid hit country.
In the last fortnight, 26 people have tested positive after returning… View moreThere's been a surge in the number of people returning to New Zealand from India who have tested positive for Covid-19.
It comes at the same time India has overtaken Brazil to become the second worst-Covid hit country.
In the last fortnight, 26 people have tested positive after returning from India, 20 of them from one flight alone.
Do you think the government needs to be stricter at the border?
The family of missing French teenager Eloi Rolland have long held on to hope that one day their son and brother will be found.
But six months on from his disappearance in Auckland, the hope that has kept them strong has dwindled.
The 18-year-old had been studying English and staying with a host … View moreThe family of missing French teenager Eloi Rolland have long held on to hope that one day their son and brother will be found.
But six months on from his disappearance in Auckland, the hope that has kept them strong has dwindled.
The 18-year-old had been studying English and staying with a host family in Birkenhead on the North Shore, before he disappeared without explanation on the evening of March 6.
Phone data indicates he was near the intersection of Piha Rd and Scenic Drive about 9.18am on March 7.
Rolland’s sister Aurore told Stuff in July her family were “waiting for a miracle”.
However, after six months of no news, she said last week they had lost hope.
Click below to read our full report.
“So I would say it’s possible I might have the most plants per square metre,” she quips.
Hi neighbours,
Labour will make Matariki New Zealand's 12th public holiday from 2022 if re-elected, Jacinda Ardern has announced.
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.… View moreHi neighbours,
Labour will make Matariki New Zealand's 12th public holiday from 2022 if re-elected, Jacinda Ardern has announced.
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 Matariki, which acts as the Māori New Year, to be recognised.
We want to hear your thoughts about Matariki becoming a public holiday. Do you support the idea, or are you against it? Perhaps you have a counter proposal.
Share your thoughts here.
Hi neighbours,
Twin tamarins are thriving at Auckland Zoo after their mum was unable to produce milk, leading to them being hand-reared.
The rare golden lion tamarins, a male and a female, were born to mum Frida on July 17.
Frida was unable to produce milk for her babies, meaning … View moreHi neighbours,
Twin tamarins are thriving at Auckland Zoo after their mum was unable to produce milk, leading to them being hand-reared.
The rare golden lion tamarins, a male and a female, were born to mum Frida on July 17.
Frida was unable to produce milk for her babies, meaning zookeepers had to make the decision, when they were two days old, to hand-rear them instead.
Auckland Zoo primate team leader Amy Robbins said the possibility of needing to hand-rear was already on the table because of Frida’s difficulty in raising offspring in the past.
“Hand-rearing is never a decision we make lightly and there are always risks, but we had strong science-based evidence to inform this call and the full support of this programme’s species coordinator,” Robbins said.
Sign up to run the Auckland marathon, half marathon, or 11km traverse with the Cancer Society team on Sunday 1 November.
We provide you with a dri fit t-shirt and lots of perks! The funds you raise go towards supporting cancer patients in our community.
Hi neighbours,
A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street.
Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near… View moreHi neighbours,
A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street.
Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near new housing or business developments, under newly released housing guidelines.
The change comes as the Government looks to encourage development, in part by freeing up land held up by car parks, under its new National Policy Statement for urban development.
Hi neighbour,
About one in 14 workers say they expect to lose their job or business by mid-2021, according to data released by Stats NZ on Tuesday.
A survey of employed people in the June 2020 quarter showed 7 percent felt there was a high or almost certain chance of losing their job or … View moreHi neighbour,
About one in 14 workers say they expect to lose their job or business by mid-2021, according to data released by Stats NZ on Tuesday.
A survey of employed people in the June 2020 quarter showed 7 percent felt there was a high or almost certain chance of losing their job or business within the next 12 months. At a national level this represented 185,000 workers.
A further 18 percent (468,000) felt there was a medium chance, while 4 percent (105,000) stated they did not know what their job security was going to be over the following year.
Most people surveyed said there was little or no chance of losing their job or business (71 percent or 1,859,000).
Small businesses have been vulnerable during the pandemic. Self-employed people who did not have staff or employees of their own felt more insecure about losing their business than employees felt about losing their job. Ten percent of self-employed people without employees reported low job security, compared with 6 percent of employees.
The household labour force survey (HLFS) June 2020 quarter was collected over a three-month period from April to June and asked employed people about their perceived job security over the next 12 months. During the collection period, New Zealand dropped from COVID-19 alert level 4 in April to alert level 1 by June.
Blind Low Vision NZ, formerly the Blind Foundation, is seeking volunteers to support this year’s Blind Week street collection on October 16 and 17.
Volunteers play a crucial role in raising funds needed to provide practical and emotional support for New Zealanders who are blind, deafblind or … View moreBlind Low Vision NZ, formerly the Blind Foundation, is seeking volunteers to support this year’s Blind Week street collection on October 16 and 17.
Volunteers play a crucial role in raising funds needed to provide practical and emotional support for New Zealanders who are blind, deafblind or have low vision.
“Last year’s street collectors raised over $220,000 to empower Kiwis living with vision loss to live the life they choose. We’re hoping to go even further this year but we need your help,” Blind Low Vision NZ chief executive John Mulka said.
The money raised goes towards providing personalised vision rehabilitation services for people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision to fulfil their goals - whether that’s providing adaptive technology to stay in employment, orientation and mobility training including guide dogs, or developing tools and strategies to keep doing the things they need and want to do.
Mulka said every day an average of six Kiwis turn to Blind Low Vision NZ for support with sight loss.
“Volunteering two hours of your time by shaking a bucket and collecting donations is a way that you can help make a difference in people’s lives,” he said.
As well as supporting individuals, Blind Low Vision NZ seek to make big-picture change by advocating for inclusive communities and for optimal eye care services for all New Zealanders.
To sign up to collect during Blind Week visit blindweek.org.nz or call 0800 787 743.
Hi neighbours,
A snorkel has been recalled over concerns it could be a choking hazard.
The Arena Swim Snorkel Pro II was pulled from sale after a customer complained a small piece of material came loose inside the snorkel tube.
No-one was injured but Arena found a potential risk with the … View moreHi neighbours,
A snorkel has been recalled over concerns it could be a choking hazard.
The Arena Swim Snorkel Pro II was pulled from sale after a customer complained a small piece of material came loose inside the snorkel tube.
No-one was injured but Arena found a potential risk with the black mouthpieces, which could see a small piece detach, causing a choking hazard.
Arena apologised to customers and said it would replace the faulty product to ensure customer safety and prevent further risk.
Anyone using an Arena snorkel was also advised to check it before use.
Customers who bought the Arena Swim Snorkel Pro II can register on the company’s website to receive replacement parts.
The new Tony Hawk video game has come under fire for an act of “cultural colonisation” after it used Māori tā moko as a character customisation option.
Players of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, which was released on Friday, are able to choose from a selection of indigenous-inspired … View moreThe new Tony Hawk video game has come under fire for an act of “cultural colonisation” after it used Māori tā moko as a character customisation option.
Players of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, which was released on Friday, are able to choose from a selection of indigenous-inspired facial tattoos, with one of the options labelled “Poly-face”.
Screenshots of the skateboarding game were posted to Twitter and shared by Pākehā/Māori tattoo artist @dreadconquest in a thread outlining why moko should not be used in this way.
Hi neighbours,
American Magic have recovered from a capsize of their America’s Cup boat in Auckland.
The United States syndicate tipped over Defiant while training on the eastern side of Browns Island in decent winds on Sunday.
They were able to quickly come upright again and continue … View moreHi neighbours,
American Magic have recovered from a capsize of their America’s Cup boat in Auckland.
The United States syndicate tipped over Defiant while training on the eastern side of Browns Island in decent winds on Sunday.
They were able to quickly come upright again and continue sailing.
The incident further validates the safety elements in the design of the radical 75-foot foiling monohull.
American Magic weren’t commenting on the incident as a matter of team policy, other than to say they were able to complete “a full session” on Sunday.
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