Sending Love To Those Who Are Alone At Christmas.
Christmas embodies a real and inclusive generosity that no other time of the year can match. Yes, there is stress, but there is also kindness – to those alone and in need.
If you'd like to help spread some Christmas cheer and put a smile on someone's face, MECOSS welcomes contributions of hand-made or shop-bought Christmas cards crafted with hand written messages, for distribution to elderly people confined at home or an age-care facility this festive season.
A collection box has been placed in the foyer of the All Saints’ Community Centre, 30 Cook Street, Howick. Christmas cards can dropped in the box, Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm until 13 December.
Tips: Have fun being creative, fill your message with love, make sure your writing is legible, and please keep the envelope unsealed.
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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10.5% Yes! New Year, New Me
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20.7% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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68.8% Nah - not for me
Rubbish bins:
Recycle collection tomorrow so put your bins out in the morning, It is windy out there and your rubbish is blowing everywhere? Are you human with a brain or just ST- - -D?
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
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