Thank you for using Neighbourly
A big thank you to everyone who nominated a small business in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero awards - and who got behind our 11 regional finalists and voted.
And a huge congratulations to Meg Wilson - the founder of PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Shops) across South Waikato! Meg's … View moreA big thank you to everyone who nominated a small business in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero awards - and who got behind our 11 regional finalists and voted.
And a huge congratulations to Meg Wilson - the founder of PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Shops) across South Waikato! Meg's passion for pets received almost 20% of votes which has seen her walk away with a prize package worth $10,000 to support the work she and her team of volunteers do each day.
Thank you Neighbourly members for rallying around businesses in your community and continuing to show them how valued they are!
Our June Seniors newsletter is out today. In this issue, we focus on the cost of living. We share some practical advice on how to save money on your health, home and everyday expenses plus much more.
Lottery closing soon! Buy your tickets today for a chance to win this brand new, fully furnished home in stunning Taupō.
Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and… View moreLottery closing soon! Buy your tickets today for a chance to win this brand new, fully furnished home in stunning Taupō.
Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and dining area for year-round entertainment and comfort.
Situated a short three-minute drive from the shores of Lake Taupō, make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours for only $15! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
You nominated your most-loved locals - now it’s time to vote! We’ve managed to whittle down over a thousand nominations into regional finalists, so we need to know who deserves to win. Regional winners will go into the running for national titles, as judged by a panel led by Peter Gordon, so … View moreYou nominated your most-loved locals - now it’s time to vote! We’ve managed to whittle down over a thousand nominations into regional finalists, so we need to know who deserves to win. Regional winners will go into the running for national titles, as judged by a panel led by Peter Gordon, so make sure to get your votes in.
Head to stuff.co.nz/loveyourlocal to cast your votes, and go into the draw to win a Restaurant Association voucher.
At Curious Minds Early Learning, Queenstown, we see creative imaginings, we hear curious minds wrapped in a korowai of collective harmony. We support our tamariki and whānau to realise their dreams.
Our newly renovated and resourced spaces will inspire the curious mind, while enjoying mountain… View moreAt Curious Minds Early Learning, Queenstown, we see creative imaginings, we hear curious minds wrapped in a korowai of collective harmony. We support our tamariki and whānau to realise their dreams.
Our newly renovated and resourced spaces will inspire the curious mind, while enjoying mountain views and soft grass on our private roof top location in the heart of Five Mile Retail Center. We are part of our family owned and managed Wellington Childcare consisting of 3 beautiful childcare centers in Wellington. The center is licensed to accommodate up 80 children aged from 6 months to 5 years.
We are looking for early childhood trained and certified teachers to join our team. The right person needs to be energetic, passionate, enthusiastic and a team player. We are proud to offer pay parity extended rates, supportive hands-on management support, a mentoring programme (PCT), and professional development.
Accommodation is available for the right applicant.
Please email a copy of your current CV and cover letter, along with your practicing certificate to qt-manager@curiousmindsearlylearning.co.nz
From reporter Hamish McNeilly:
It was meant to be part of a world-leading health and education precinct, but now it has been parked due to escalating costs.
The Interprofessional Learning Centre was pitched as an educational facility for University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic students at … View moreFrom reporter Hamish McNeilly:
It was meant to be part of a world-leading health and education precinct, but now it has been parked due to escalating costs.
The Interprofessional Learning Centre was pitched as an educational facility for University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic students at the new Dunedin Hospital.
But those behind the project - Te Whatu Ora, the University of Otago and Te Pūkenga – released a statement on Friday afternoon confirming: "that the Interprofessional Learning Centre will not go ahead at this time".
Instead, the focus has moved from a specific building for interprofessional learning, to moving to growing interdisciplinary training for future healthcare professionals.
Part of that decision involved the escalating costs of the project, increasing from an estimate of $50 million in 2020 to more than $130m based on current projections.
“Due to the escalating costs, our organisations have had to consider the feasibility of a new, separate building to house training,” Te Whatu Ora chief executive Fepulea'i Margie Apa said.
"I want to reassure the community that this decision will not impact or compromise the training for students and our staff.
"Our trainee doctors, nurses and other health practitioners will still continue to have the advantage of clinical placements on-site at the New Dunedin Hospital."
Te Whatu Ora would continue to explore how to further teaching and learning opportunities in Dunedin.
Meanwhile, the University of Otago’s acting vice-chancellor, Professor Helen Nicholson, said the university was a leader in interprofessional health education and was disappointed the project would not go ahead at this time.
Long-term, the university supported an interprofessional learning facility.
Work would continue between the three parties to develop interprofessional education as part of the workforce strategy, including the potential to ‘’reactivate’’ the proposal in the future.
The $17m earmarked for the project remains in the budget of the $1.4 billion hospital, the largest infrastructure build of it type in New Zealand.
The project had faced ballooning costs, which led to $100m in cuts while preserving as much design and clinical capacity as possible within a "reduced footprint".
However, a report from Te Whatu Ora Southern warned those cuts posed "reputational, operational and clinical risk".
Dear neighbours, every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for cauliflower recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by June 25, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the August issue of NZ Gardener.
Reinvent an old picnic basket into a snazzy new sewing case with fresh Resene colours.
Find out how to revamp your own with our handy advice.
June is upon us, so it's well and truly time to hunker down for the colder temperatures. For some across Aotearoa, this just means a second duvet on the bed. And for others, it's defrosting your car windscreen daily and bringing out the heaters.
What do you do to prepare for winter? … View moreJune is upon us, so it's well and truly time to hunker down for the colder temperatures. For some across Aotearoa, this just means a second duvet on the bed. And for others, it's defrosting your car windscreen daily and bringing out the heaters.
What do you do to prepare for winter? Share your tips for staying warm and dry, and for making the most of the chillier season.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
The University of Otago vice-chancellor is stepping down
Professor David Murdoch, who has battled ill-health, will take a position as a distinguished professor at the university’s Christchurch campus.
“I am deeply thankful for all the support I received while I was ill recently.”
He … View moreThe University of Otago vice-chancellor is stepping down
Professor David Murdoch, who has battled ill-health, will take a position as a distinguished professor at the university’s Christchurch campus.
“I am deeply thankful for all the support I received while I was ill recently.”
He had made a full recovery, but that had led to he and his wife “to reflect on our future direction”.
“This led to the difficult decision to take up new opportunities and to undertake a different pathway at this time.”
Murdoch would also take up opportunities with the University of Oxford.
Chancellor Stephen Higgs thanked him for his contributions to Otago University during his time as cice-chancellor.
“David is one of New Zealand’s foremost experts in infectious diseases and we are delighted that he will be able to continue to contribute to this important field and others in his capacity as Distinguished Professor.”
Murdoch was appointed to the position of vice-chancellor at the start of February 2022.
Deputy vice-chancellor Professor Helen Nicholson would continue in the role of acting vice-chancellor until a permanent replacement was found.
Nicholson had fronted media after it was revealed the tertiary institution was facing a $60 million deficit, with the potential loss of hundreds of jobs.
Meanwhile, a global search process would be undertaken to find a permanent replacement.
Hey Neighbours, don't let rising living costs and surging insurance premiums in 2023 leave you uninsured! Renewing your policies without first checking if the price has increased, could lead to bigger bills. Let's avoid that!
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Explore alternative insurance providers now. Money Compare consolidates all major insurers and their key features in one place, making searching for new providers easy. They offer fantastic deals like one month of FREE car insurance, PLUS a helpful team to assist you in reviewing your health and life insurance coverage, to ensure you're on the best policy. Take charge of your insurance today by reviewing your policies!
Lottery closing soon! Buy your tickets today for a chance to win this brand new, fully furnished home in stunning Taupō.
Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and… View moreLottery closing soon! Buy your tickets today for a chance to win this brand new, fully furnished home in stunning Taupō.
Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and dining area for year-round entertainment and comfort.
Situated a short three-minute drive from the shores of Lake Taupō, make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours for only $15! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
Have a bit of fun playing around with verdigris paint effects with Resene paints and add classical highlights to your summer garden.
Follow our easy advice to get started getting creative at your place.
When you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you … View moreWhen you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you enjoy.
Find out more about our living options today and get ready for a new lifestyle.
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From reporter Hamish McNeilly:
The ‘’poor retention’’ of students was a key reason for a decline in domestic enrolments at the University of Otago.
“Student enrolment numbers for 2023 are now clear, and they are down on what we had budgeted for,’’ acting vice-chancellor Helen … View moreFrom reporter Hamish McNeilly:
The ‘’poor retention’’ of students was a key reason for a decline in domestic enrolments at the University of Otago.
“Student enrolment numbers for 2023 are now clear, and they are down on what we had budgeted for,’’ acting vice-chancellor Helen Nicholson told staff after announcing the tertiary institution faced a $60million deficit, and the possible loss of hundreds of jobs.
“Overall, our enrolments are down by 0.9% on last year, but we were forecasting growth of 4.9%.”
Emails released to Stuff under the Official Information Act about that shortfall, highlights one of the major reasons behind that drop: retention.
‘’Poor retention - which seems to have tripped-up pretty much the whole university sector in its forecasting is the crucial factor in the shortfall,’’ David Thomson, director – strategy, analytics and reporting office, wrote.
At the time of the announcement, Universities New Zealand noted there had been an overall drop in enrolments at the country’s eight universities of around 3%. Enrolments were up at just three – Waikato, Canterbury and Lincoln.
Thomson noted that Otago's poor retention of domestic enrolments accounted for 70% of ‘‘our domestic shortfall’’.
‘‘It appears to be driven in part by the cumulative impact of Covid-19 disruption and fatigue (manifested in various ways, including poorer pass rates). Retention is generally very stable year-to-year, and even in 2021 and 2022 retention held firmly at pre-Covid levels.’’
In the released emails, which were sent to senior university management, Thomson wrote: ‘’it’s worth noting that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the biggest disruption to tertiary education (globally as well as nationally) since the Second World War’’.
‘‘This, along with a growing tendency over the time of the pandemic towards later/last-minute enrolment decision-making by students, and associated wider instabilities beyond tertiary education, means we are forecasting in a context of unprecedented uncertainty.’’
He stressed that the university’s methodologies, which had previous proved reliable, were being scrutinised.
Thomson also penned another email with the subject line: ‘Backgrounder for Local MPs’ eight days after the proposed cuts were announced to staff.
In that report Thomson noted the large intakes of 2021/2022, and had Otago had more accommodation, domestic enrolments would have been higher, and that Otago had increased its market share amongst other universities.
But the 2023 decline in enrolments was down to a ‘perfect storm’, with about a dozen factors involved, including poor retention, a drop in University Entrance achievement rates, strong job market, and the rising cost of living.
Thomson, in that report to MPs, noted that funding from the Government was not ‘’keeping pace with inflation’’.
‘’What was a relative narrow gap up to 2020 has opened into a chasm, as funding rate increases failed to adjust as the inflation rate rocketed.’’
The released emails come after Prime Minister Chris Hipkins visited the Dunedin campus on Friday, and where he told hundreds of concerned students that any decision about cuts was up to those institutions which had autonomy from the Government.
Sometimes educational institutions had to make difficult decisions, and they were best placed to make those calls, he said.
The Government had given the sector the biggest funding increase in two decades, but ‘’there will never be enough funding’’, he added.
Applications for voluntary redundancy at the university closed on Friday, and the tertiary institution was not in a position to make those numbers available, a spokeswoman said.
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