1309 days ago

Call For Puppy Raisers: International Guide Dog Day

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs is appealing for puppy raisers in Auckland as International Guide Dog Day rolls out on Wednesday.

Sara Leavy has been a puppy raiser for Blind Low Vision NZ for the past 3 years.

The Stanley Point resident, on Auckland's North Shore, is relishing raising third pup Emma.

Her first two charges Ivy and Aztec both qualified for the guide dogs programme, which only accepts the best dogs.

Getting the phone call to hear your pup has been matched is one of the best moments, Leavy said.

“It makes you so unbelievably happy and weepy," she said.

“To know that after all the work that’s gone into the pup – from the breeding centre, trainers, vets, boarders, as well as our patience and time – has all been worth it.

"That the dog will now meet their new handler and together they will be a team, exploring the world together, is an amazing feeling.”

Saying goodbye to a pup as they left for formal training was a mixture of sadness and excitement, she said.

“I have three kids and I see the pups like my kids. I want to make them well socialised, well-mannered and then I want them to go out into the big wide world as a working adult making a difference.”


Her youngest son, smitten with their first puppy, started to research the difference guide dogs made in people’s lives.


“He would talk about a girl who had become blind at 13 years old and hadn’t left the house until she got her first guide dog at 17," Leavy said.

Her world just opened up.

Rochelle Corrigan, Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs Puppy Placement and Development Manager said puppy raisers were essential.


“Our puppies need to have as many experiences and social outings as possible in the first year of their lives to best prepare them for life as a guide dog and this could simply not be achieved without the dedication of our fantastic volunteers.”

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More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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1 day ago

Riddle Alert! Who’s Up for Some Brain-Busting Fun?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

4-letter word, always done tomorrow,
We’re out of tea, the ultimate sorrow!
Without the eye, you owe me some money,
No sugar no nectar no sweetness no honey,
4-letter word, if by chance you choose,
You can never win, you can only lose!
What is the 4-letter word?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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5 days ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 82.5% Yes
    82.5% Complete
  • 14.8% No
    14.8% Complete
  • 2.7% Other - I'll share below
    2.7% Complete
1780 votes