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862 days ago

St. Mary's Anglican Cathedral - why has it taken so long for work to start on the Restoration of our Cathedral?

Heather from Westown

The 'Daily News' reported on Wednesday 5 October 2023 that work was hopefully going to start soon on our (stone) Cathedral. I thought we could re-start the Neighbourly conversation of a few week's ago, re: where has all the Money Raised from the Community Fundraising gone? The paper recorded that all the building work so far (on the Vicarage and the Brown Building next to it) amounted to $20 million! And the $5m from the Provisional Growth Fund would have gone into the mix for that too! As I believe all the Money has now been spent! I am most concerned that all the Funds given so Generously by the Public, by Philanthropists, by Businesses, by those with Tangible Connections to the Cathedral (eg having been Married there) were taken under false pretences! Over the past 6-7 years many of us were asked to Give what we could afford, towards the Restoration of the Cathedral - I remember it well - 2 ladies would go around all the various Groups in Taranaki and give a Speech asking for Financial help, showing the Plans etc. of How the Repairs to the Cathedral would be staged and how it would look in the Future! These Presentations did the job, and much Funds were Raised over several years! The City/Region were kept informed and we were all excited that soon, our Cathedral would once more be Open for Business? However, since approx. 2018, we've heard Nothing! And seen Nothing! What happened? Who was in Charge? Unless you were a 'Regular at the Interim Cathedral', we heard Nothing! But since many of the Funds came from Others 'Outside of the Church', they deserved to be kept Up to Date as well as everyone else. It is only this week (in 2023) that we have learnt Anything about the Progress of our Cathedral. Why? And why has so much of the Money Raised been Used for these other Projects (Vicarage and Brown Building) without the Approval or at least the knowledge of the People who thought they were Paying for the Cathedral itself NOT for other bits and pieces.....
What do you all think?

More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙

One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.

So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?

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Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
  • 59% Yes, supporting people is important!
    59% Complete
  • 26% No, individuals should take responsibility
    26% Complete
  • 15% ... It is complicated
    15% Complete
812 votes
4 days ago

A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?

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11 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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