HELP US HELP MIGRANTS AND FORMER REFUGEES ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
Give a little to help us help migrants and former refugees be road-ready and job-ready. Click here to DONATE givealittle.co.nz......
Migrant Action Trust (MAT) helps migrants and former refugees from arrival to employment and integration in New Zealand. We help Aotearoa’s newest residents to secure meaningful employment and overcome the barriers to getting a driver licence.
An NZ drivers licence opens up job opportunities for them and gives a sense of belonging, while building their independence and improving well-being for the whole whānau.
The NZTA recommends 120 hours of driving for learners to be test-ready. But this is a huge challenge for former refugees who have no access to a practice car, no driving coach/supervisor and no funds to pay for lessons with a qualified driving instructor. All on top of language and literacy barriers!
We need funds to put towards the cost of driving lessons and practical driving tests for new settlers especially refugees from Afghanistan, single mothers applying for jobs and mothers with special needs children.
Each month we aim to help 10 new settlers to pass their driving tests - that's 10 families each month gaining independence, job opportunities and improving their well-being in Aotearoa.
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
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.