Nothing More Valuable Than Reward
Giving nurses and other hospital staff a one-off bonus payment of $10 (before tax) for all the hard slog, long hours, stress and extra work they put in so far during the Omicron part of the Covid pandemic seems less than generous. In fact I would say it is a sick joke for staff associated with the hospitals in the Wellington region.
Better than handing out a pen someone said. I don't know about that.
But hey, not far behind is the allowances some Government department staff are getting whenever they are forced/compelled to, or volunteer to, work from home. Added to their pay packet is 78 cents per day per stay at home.
So staying at home means use of power (and in winter add to this heating), food including cups of coffee and tea, wear and tear of own office type equipment including computer and printer. Savings are in the form of travel but if one buys a monthly train ticket for instance, there is little in the way of travel savings.
Who devised the princely sum of 78 cents a day allowance as commendably fair is anybody's guess. But don't blame it this time on Australia.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.6% 1st December
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17.7% A week before Christmas
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33% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.8% Yes
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14.4% No
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2.8% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.