Graduation day for Advanced & Diploma Chefs
This week, we were very happy to host a graduation luncheon for the students, families and friends of the Advanced Level 4 programme and Level 5 Diploma Chefs.
The Diploma chefs achievement comes after nearly TWO years of chopping, preparing and cooking and many tests and assignments and a bunch of hard work plus some serious determination and the privilege of remote cooking through FOUR Lockdowns!
The Advanced Level 4 chefs started in June 2020 and worked through their programme with only THREE lockdowns and remote cooking. Needless to say, we are delighted to be able to award these qualifications after what can only be described as a roller-coasted period.
The menu included Gratinated Snapper with mushroom, spinach with Sauce Hollandaise, Pigeon Bay lamb with corn, polenta, baked cherry tomatoes and basil and Crêpe with raspberry parfait and vanilla cream to finish.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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9.8% Yes! New Year, New Me
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22% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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68.1% Nah - not for me
By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area
Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.
The Manukau Court’s Ruling
The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.
In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.
While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.
As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026
Stolen car - LPP146 blue Daihatsu boon
Hi neighbours
Our locked vehicle was stolen from our driveway in the early hours of this morning - 27/12/25. It is a blue Daihatsu boon rego # LPP146. I am a carer to my 92yrs mum. Her walker was in the back with 4 boxes of washed clothes for hospice op shop. If you see this vehicle can you pls call the police and message me on neighbourly.
Thank you
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