? "With a little help from my friends..." ?
Meet Ellen (L) and Mary (R) - part of Masterton Neighbourhood Support's Weconnect programme.
Ellen, who is originally from the Netherlands, meets with Mary for an hour every week at the bakery where she works to catch up and discuss how she's adjusting to life here in New Zealand. It's also a great chance to work on conversational skills including picking up Kiwi phrases from Mary who also volunteers as an English tutor running free lessons for Weconnect participants in Masterton.
Ellen happens to have a second Weconnect buddy, Rose, who is based in Martinborough - where they both live. Rose had moved to the area following the Christchurch quakes so is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to natural disaster preparedness, something Ellen isn't used to thinking about.
By working with a local buddy, Weconnect supports residents from culturally diverse backgrounds to feel safe, resilient and connected in their new community. If you live in the Wairarapa region and would love to help participants get settled in and make local connections, please email Cathy Cameron: cathy@connectingcommunities.org.nz
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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84.8% Yes
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13.8% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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