Major award for local Clean-Up leader, Karen Lee
Congratulations to local legend Karen Lee who has been nationally recognised as a "Tidy Kiwi of the Year" by Keep New Zealand Beautiful (KNZB) this year.
Karen is the backbone of F.O.R.C.E (For Our Real Clean Environment) which organises the popular Love Whangarei Monthly Clean Up and the new Repair Cafe Whangārei. She also somehow juggles a full-time job and raising a toddler with her partner, Councillor Nicholas Connop.
Karen says the secret is to make it fun: "People motivate and encourage others and get encouraged and motivated in return. Anyone can take part - just start small and encourage others and you'll be amazed at the results."
KNZB says "The vision of F.O.R.C.E is to treat waste as a resource, and Karen lives and breathes that vision! Karen has a passion for reducing waste in the environment, and that passion inspires others to do better too." Anyone who has been to one of their clean-ups or the Repair Cafe will agree!
Thank you Karen and everyone who volunteers to keep Whangārei beautiful - we love the difference you make.
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.
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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84.4% Yes
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14.3% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
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What is it that when given one, you’ll have either two or none?
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