How to maximise our electorate's representation in Parliament
During the last parliamentary term (2020-2023) we were fortunate to have two Members of Parliament (MPs) represent our Whangārei general electorate, Dr Emily Henderson (Labour) and Dr Shane Reti (National).
As it stands, Dr Reti will return to Parliament, no matter the outcome of the upcoming general election, since he is ranked #4 on the National Party list. Giving our electorate vote to him will not influence that in any way - in fact, we will indirectly vote for a random National Party candidate way down the list (in the 40s or 50s), who will represent a different electorate (or none at all). It is prudent to give our electoral vote to a different Whangārei candidate who is ranked low on their respective party's list and won't make it into Parliament on the party vote. That way we will once again be represented by two MPs and double our chances that our electorate's issues and wishes will be recognised and included. The same logic applies to our Te Tai Tokerau Māori electorate, where the incumbent MP Kelvin Davis (Labour) is also guaranteed a seat in the next Parliament, being ranked #2 on the Labour Party list.
As for our party vote, it makes sense to vote for the party we like best and which aligns most with our values, rather than voting "tactically" for a party we don't really prefer, just to try and keep another party out that we like even less. Voting for the party we really support will increase their number of MPs in Parliament (or give them a real chance to make it past the dreaded 5% threshold) and also improve their representation on select committees, where the real work is done and submissions are being heard between the first and second readings of new legislation. If we don't vote for the party we most identify with, we will rob them of the opportunity to make a difference at the negotiation table and shape future legislation in the way we want.
Let's not waste our two votes on a candidate who will get in anyway, or a party we don't actually want (or worst of all, by not voting at all).
To find an advanced voting place, or a voting place on election day, click here.
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
Poll: Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?
Just a bit of a fun poll to get you thinking.
If you had to live out your Christmas days, would you prefer it was a summer Christmas or a winter Christmas?
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61.7% Summer
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36.7% Winter
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1.6% Other - I'll share below
Would you like a free copy of our February 2025 issue?
Kia ora neighbours. We give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine. We're still on the hunt for tomato recipes, so send your family's favourite way to use up your homegrown harvest, to: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of the mag
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