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After debate around whether Matariki should become a public holiday, ACT leader David Seymour said he was "open" to public holidays being scrapped in New Zealand - well, all but Anzac and Waitangi.
He says people should be able to make their own holiday arrangements, rather than the … View moreAfter debate around whether Matariki should become a public holiday, ACT leader David Seymour said he was "open" to public holidays being scrapped in New Zealand - well, all but Anzac and Waitangi.
He says people should be able to make their own holiday arrangements, rather than the Government telling us when to take the day off.
We want to know your thoughts. Should people be able to make their own holiday arrangements? Or should we leave our holidays as is?
“Wrap up cosy and come down for a wintry blast at Snow in the Park,” says Henderson-Massey Local Board member Vanessa Neeson.
“There will be heaps of fun activities for children and their families – and it’s all free.”
As always, the four-lane tube run will be a highlight, with … View more“Wrap up cosy and come down for a wintry blast at Snow in the Park,” says Henderson-Massey Local Board member Vanessa Neeson.
“There will be heaps of fun activities for children and their families – and it’s all free.”
As always, the four-lane tube run will be a highlight, with snow delivered by Snow Planet.
There will also be an under-six snowboarding area and a snow play area where children can make snowmen and snow castles.
Prizes, face-painting, bouncy castles, a climbing wall, huskies, bumper-ball soccer and more will keep everyone entertained. Elsa and Olaf will be there!
You’ll be able to warm up with food and coffee stalls too.
The event is smoke-free and zero waste, and is funded by Henderson-Massey Local Board.
Six red light cameras will be switched on in Auckland after a Stuff investigation revealed Auckland …
Hi neighbours,
Will you be taking to the streets in your community to strike for better pay? The nurses union has "strongly rejected" a DHB pay and conditions offer and is seeking urgent mediation. That means strikes scheduled for July could still go ahead.
Do you support the … View moreHi neighbours,
Will you be taking to the streets in your community to strike for better pay? The nurses union has "strongly rejected" a DHB pay and conditions offer and is seeking urgent mediation. That means strikes scheduled for July could still go ahead.
Do you support the nurses' stance? What do you think of the latest pay offer? Let us know in the replies. Click here to read more. (If commenting, please add "NFP/not for print" if you do not want your images/comments used on Stuff).
Hi Neighbours - It's Saul and the team from Zomer Cafe, Takapuna. We have a special offer for local residents looking for a fantastic brunch. If you come in and mention Neighbourly we'll give you a 20% discount off of all food ordered from the Breakfast or Lunch Menu throughout July and … View moreHi Neighbours - It's Saul and the team from Zomer Cafe, Takapuna. We have a special offer for local residents looking for a fantastic brunch. If you come in and mention Neighbourly we'll give you a 20% discount off of all food ordered from the Breakfast or Lunch Menu throughout July and August! We'd love for you guys to come down so we can showcase our fantastic new Winter Menu at our great location near Takapuna Beach.
You can find us at 4, The Strand Takapuna, check out our food menu
Want to find out more about our catering and function services as well as some more info or to book a table? Head to www.zomer.co.nz
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Saul Stevens
Zomer Cafe General Manager
Our dedicated Fire and Emergency volunteers help keep our communities safe.
So this National Volunteer Week, why not say a big thank you? Here’s how: head to our #LetsHearIt page on Neighbourly and let them know why you’re thankful for what they do.
Our Fire and Emergency New Zealand … View moreOur dedicated Fire and Emergency volunteers help keep our communities safe.
So this National Volunteer Week, why not say a big thank you? Here’s how: head to our #LetsHearIt page on Neighbourly and let them know why you’re thankful for what they do.
Our Fire and Emergency New Zealand volunteers are always standing by to help out when they’re needed. Thank you for letting them know how grateful you are for everything they do to keep us all safe.
North Shore bus users can take advantage of a simpler and better connected bus network from Septembe…
St John is a drop of point this winter for Give a Kid a Blanket.
This amazing team collects blankets and other winter warmth to distribute to children and their families in Auckland.
If you’ve got any new or good quality preloved blankets, duvets, sleeping bags and sheets and bedding or … View moreSt John is a drop of point this winter for Give a Kid a Blanket.
This amazing team collects blankets and other winter warmth to distribute to children and their families in Auckland.
If you’ve got any new or good quality preloved blankets, duvets, sleeping bags and sheets and bedding or any new children’s pyjamas, thermals, socks, woollen hats, pillows or hot water bottles please drop them off at 2 Harrison Road between 8.30am and 3.30pm weekdays.
Collection runs to 22 July. If you’re wondering what they need most, it’s single and queen duvets and covers. Thanks in advance for your kindness.
Unhealthy food and more time watching screens is contributing to school-aged children putting on wei…
Moth plants are categorised as Surveillance pest plants which are pest plants banned from sale, distribution and display but not subject to mandatory removal.
If you're a resident or frequently visit the West Harbour area, we want your feedback on opportunities being explored for the future of Hobsonville Marina.
Join a drop-in session on Thursday, 28 June - 5.30 to 7.30pm at Shop 5 (formerly Plain Sailing Café), 17 Clearwater Cove, West … View moreIf you're a resident or frequently visit the West Harbour area, we want your feedback on opportunities being explored for the future of Hobsonville Marina.
Join a drop-in session on Thursday, 28 June - 5.30 to 7.30pm at Shop 5 (formerly Plain Sailing Café), 17 Clearwater Cove, West Harbour or if you can’t make it, complete our online survey: www.shapeauckland.co.nz/hobsonvillemarina.
A manufacturing company has backtracked and agreed to respect a consented boundary buffer between th…
Getting kids into bed doesn’t need to be a drama. Having the right tools can make it a battle-free zone. Sure they’ll be hick-ups and regressions, but these 8 expert ideas to get kids into bed will help create a routine; that gets them there, and keeps them there!
8 expert ideas to get your … View moreGetting kids into bed doesn’t need to be a drama. Having the right tools can make it a battle-free zone. Sure they’ll be hick-ups and regressions, but these 8 expert ideas to get kids into bed will help create a routine; that gets them there, and keeps them there!
8 expert ideas to get your kids into bed (and keep them there!)
1. Timing is EVERYTHING
Catching them before they get overtired or overwrought is essential. Figure out what their tiredness baseline is and work it out backwards from there. If you know they are at their best with a 7.30pm bedtime, asleep by 8 pm, make the routine that you set to start so that the timing is completely possible.
2. Reduce electronic stimulation
Turning off electronics including the TV at least an hour before bed will help with the brain to shut down easier for sleep.
If you have a chronically bad sleeper, check to see if you have anything emitting EMFs on the inside or outside walls of the bedroom. This could be smart meters, wifi boxes, cordless phones etc…
Does this child/ren sleep better on holiday or at a friend’s house, in your bed or that of a sibling?
If so, you could look at “earthing or grounding”, but also moving the bed away, or be getting tools/equipment that is good to offset the frequencies.
3. Keep it consistent
I really could not emphasise this enough. Commitment AND consistency are both key and the crucial parts of having a routine work.
Do the same thing every night. It might look a little different on occasion and that is fine, but when you’re at home. Same Ol’ same old’…
Dinner, play, bath, snack, teeth and pee, chat, stories, kisses and cuddles, lights out.
If you are having difficulty getting them to do one or many of those things, you can offer options. Limited options, but it offers a sense of independence.
Which of these two pairs of PJs would you like to wear?
Tonight, are we dancing or skipping to the bath/bedroom
You can have 2 or 3 stories, how many would you like?
When your PJs are on, can you choose your books?
When it is time for lights out: would you like a squeezy cuddle AND 5 kisses or 10?
I will brush your teeth for 1 minute and then it will be your turn and I will watch how well you do it.
By taking charge of the situation as above you are setting clear boundaries. Of course, if they counter with something entirely appropriate then let them. If you offer 2 pairs of PJs and they want the other ones in the cupboard, let them wear those.
Similarly, if that ONE pair they want to wear it in the wash and they have a meltdown about it, then acknowledge the upset and say something along the lines of:
“I hear that you are really upset because your favourite PJs are in the wash, tomorrow I will wash them for you and you can have them back, in the meantime, you need to stay warm and cosy, so we have these ones. I am sorry that you are upset about it, can I give you a cuddle to help you right now?”
4. What’s on your mind?
Talk it out – If something is playing on your child’s mind you could ask: “What was the worst thing that happened today?” discuss that, and leave them with feeling loved and adored and appreciated.
Or help them to put it in a box or a bubble to sort out the next day, offer a game plan on how you will help them, or they can help themselves to make it right.
You seem unhappy, can you tell me what is happening for you to feel that way?
I didn’t like that behaviour earlier, can you tell me why you did that? What made you so angry/ upset/frustrated?
Then you could ask, “What was the BEST thing that happened today?” and finish on a high with hugs and kisses. If this becomes something that they LOVE (ie it starts taking FOREVER), then it is appropriate to either start the conversation earlier in the day or bedtime becomes an earlier time to accommodate this one on one time.
It is a precious time to share together.
5. Make sure the environment works
Is it dark enough? Is it too dark and needs a night light?
Is the temperature comfortable for sleeping? Hot water bottles are often a hit with small children in the cooler months. Do they have enough covers if they get chilly in the early hours, so they can pull it over themselves if they get cold?
Make sure that the noise level is appropriate for them to drift off also. Loud noises are intriguing to small people, as are outbursts of adult laughter, they might just creep out to see what the fun is all about.
6. Getting kids into bed is teamwork
If both parents are in the house at bedtime, make it a team effort as it’s essential for smooth running to both on the same page. It makes life so much easier.
If one parent is doing something else, then they should ideally stay out of it and refer back to the parent who IS doing the bedtime routine that night. It avoids the issue of the child playing one off against the other.
7. Just one more thing….
If I had a dollar for every time a kid has tried that one. My advice. Preempt EVERYTHING!!! Make sure that everything has been accounted for prior to starting the whole routine.
This includes sports kits being prepared (unless you do it), homework, notes from school, anything you promised to do in the day… leave no stone unturned in the quest for a straightforward bedtime.
And by following the ideas above including a sip of water and a pee before bed, then you can be committed in your response of “No, it’s sleep time, I love you, I will see you in the morning, good night”.
8. You got this!
This above might sound straightforward, and it can be… It needs to be applied with love and firmness. Keeping everything on task and on track is the part that is worth putting the effort into.
Don’t give an inch if they are playing up (remain firm but fair and everything in order, no-nonsense), and have a little more leniency when they are helping to make it work.
If they are playing up, it will often be because they are tired, therefore the quicker they are in bed the sooner everyone gets exactly what is needed. If they are happy and you are happy to flow a little more, then they will learn which they prefer and behave appropriately.
Just remember to keep all that raucous laughter under control until they are out to it to save little faces from appearing around the door wanting an explanation!
No doubt we’re all on the same page when it comes to cyberbullying. It’s a terrible thing that some young people find themselves driven to take their own lives, and that cyberbullying appears to be a growing problem. Learn how to teach your kids to become more resilient to cyberbullying.
I … View moreNo doubt we’re all on the same page when it comes to cyberbullying. It’s a terrible thing that some young people find themselves driven to take their own lives, and that cyberbullying appears to be a growing problem. Learn how to teach your kids to become more resilient to cyberbullying.
I look back at how I dealt with being teased (although I would never have said I was bullied) and what I remember, is fighting back.
I suppose I was taught by my parents to ‘appropriately’ stick- up for myself! I was also taught how and when to walk away.
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.
is something my mother used to teach me. While the name-calling could hurt, I also learnt quick-smart that I didn’t have to sit there and take it.
In other words, I learnt to discriminate between what was harassment and what was just kids mucking-about. I really don’t think things are that different now. The very same kind of bullies that existed then exist now.
The research shows that bullying usually starts face-to-face and then it morphs into an online form. And one of the key differences with bullying via tech devices is that where we used to walk away, kids continue to read texts, update their social profiles and remain connected to the very channel through which the harassment is coming from.
So, if you’re talking to a young person, here are my 7 tips for helping them to rise above the poor behaviour of others in real life or online.
1. Tell them to ‘self-talk’ themselves – sternly and strongly – only people close to you matter
Someone once told me that in life many people will hold views about you and some of those views will be ill-founded. Only worry about what your family and close friends think about you, the others do not know who you really are, and their views are less important.
2. Report the bullies
The more pieces of the jigsaw puzzle an authority has (eg a school leader) the more they can see a pattern, which they can use in holding a tough conversation with a bully.
3. Disconnect – just ‘stop’ using your device for a bit – and give yourself time to work out what to do
It’s tempting to go into a tizzy when you first feel insulted by someone, but part of becoming more mature is knowing when and ‘how’ to give a proportional response – including when to stop worrying about things that have no easy solution. You can’t control other people, but you can control what you do.
4. Sleep well – and even meditate
Sleep for 8.5 hrs per night (minimum) if you’re a teenager – and learn to meditate.
5. Don’t confuse people’s ‘right’ to complain or disagree with you as abuse or as an affront
This is not the same thing as bullying. Ask your teenager to tell you what happened and give them feedback. For example, someone looking at you the wrong way is not bullying. It may be unpleasant but it’s not that bad. We need to help kids define when teasing, joking, disagreeing, thoughtless language steps over the line from unfair/unpleasant to abusive. Then give them clear pathways to make a complaint.
6. Encourage your child to build an army of allies
Being a bystander is being complicit in bullying but being part of a bigger network, who refuse to allow bullying to occur and report it as a team, is empowering. Help your child to build a community around themselves.
7. Embrace social media, positively
Learn how to block, mute and report trolls and hate speech. Digital abstinence is unrealistic, managing a ‘friendship’ network so allies are central is key to using social media, to be… social! Learn how to do these things right alongside your child. This way you can remind them how to defend themselves against bullying if they end up in the middle of something.
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