Looking for unused diaries/stationery for Tonga Schools
Kia Ora,
Due to the tsunami, volcanic eruption and fall-out of ash that has destroyed 300 homes across the islands of the Kingdom of Tonga, Co-chair of the Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee MP Jenny Salesa has made a personal appeal to Oneness-Heart-Tears and Smiles to collect stationery for the children of these households.
Jenny has outlined eight Government Primary Schools (GPS) severely affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami: GPS Kolomotu'a, GPS 'Atata, GPS Kanokupolu, GPS Mango Island, GPS Kotu, GPS Fonoifua, GPS Tunga and GPS Nomuka.
Here is a list of other stationery items that would be most helpful:
• Unused diaries;
• Notebooks / paper, drawing paper;
• Pens, pencils, colour pencil, pencil sharpener / and or crayons, eraser;
• Children’s books of any kind;
If your workplace have any unused diaries and/or stationery to donate, we would be more than happy to come and collect it from you anytime before Monday 11 April. Shipment is scheduled to leave for Tonga on Wed 13th April.
Please do not hesitate to contact Durba 0220 653 719 should you have any questions or need further information. You can also drop off at 20 Kelston St New Lynn. Thank you.
Yours sincerely
Durba Lee
Coordinator
www.onenessheart.org......
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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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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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.
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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.