SOOO many people on the roads during level 4 - absolute madness.
So, as my husband is on call for all essential businesses that use his company's services, he was called out this afternoon.
All the protocols were followed i.e. appropriate paperwork that's required, making sure that his Covid essentials bag is full of masks, sanitiser etc ...
He left to head down to South Auckland as one of the old folk's homes had a wee emergency, and was he gobsmacked to discover a massive line of cars starting from the Henderson Mall area (where the testing station is) and almost completely down the full length of Bruce McLaren Road.
He turned around and went another way.
All the way down to South Auckland, he saw two Police cars.
One on the side of the road with a hand held speed monitor and the other one overtook him on the southern motorway. That was it.
He mentioned that there were hardly any cars or foot traffic in South Auckland, East Tamaki, Papatoetoe. They were all so well behaved.
West Auckland were all in panic mode waiting for hours to be tested.
WHY????
What's wrong with all of you who waited in line today to be tested?
Could you have not waited a few days?
Absolute unorganised mayhem.
Stay calm ... PLEASE.
Waiting for hours is just a complete waste of time. That time could be spent with your loved ones or getting your partner to do all those odd jobs etc ...
We know that the Delta variant is super contagious, so please, please behave as if you have caught it and keep away from everyone or at the very least, keep your distance and wear masks and sanitise everything.
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)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
-
84.6% Yes
-
13.9% No
-
1.5% 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.
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.