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Our region's vibrant cultures are celebrated this month with World of Cultures (18 March - 3 April).
This festival offers free activities online and in-person across Tāmaki Makaurau.
With easy long-distance international travel still a way off, you can still immerse yourself in Pacific … View moreOur region's vibrant cultures are celebrated this month with World of Cultures (18 March - 3 April).
This festival offers free activities online and in-person across Tāmaki Makaurau.
With easy long-distance international travel still a way off, you can still immerse yourself in Pacific weaving, admire hand-drawn Indonesian batik fabrics, join a Bollywood dance class and watch live cultural performances.
Although this year's festival is smaller due to COVID-19 restrictions, World of Cultures is a great opportunity to learn, dance, eat and explore everything that makes Auckland a unique and incredible place to live.
Visit the World of Cultures website for more activity details including COVID-19 restrictions for in-person events by clicking on -Read More'.
Hi, Looking for someone to fix a Fijitsu heat pump. Please pm me.
Thanks
Australia has taken up New Zealand's offer to resettle up to 150 refugees per year nearly a decade after the offer was first made.
The deal, first offered in 2013, would mean asylum seekers, some who have been held indefinitely in limbo in such centres on Manus Island and Nauru, could soon … View moreAustralia has taken up New Zealand's offer to resettle up to 150 refugees per year nearly a decade after the offer was first made.
The deal, first offered in 2013, would mean asylum seekers, some who have been held indefinitely in limbo in such centres on Manus Island and Nauru, could soon come to New Zealand.
The initial three-year arrangement would see up to 450 people resettle in New Zealand through the existing refugee quota programme, and initially cover those who met certain criteria.
The Green Party has welcomed the deal to resettle those "held unlawfully in Australia's prison islands" but says the number should be over and above the current quota of 1500 a year - a commitment New Zealand has not met for three years.
In announcing the deal, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said the long-standing offer reflected New Zealand and Australia's close relationship.
"New Zealand is very pleased that Australia has taken up the offer to resettle up to 150 refugees annually for three years," Faafoi said.
"New Zealand has a long and proud history of refugee resettlement and this arrangement is another example of how we are fulfilling our humanitarian international commitment.
"We are pleased to be able to provide resettlement outcomes for refugees who would otherwise have continued to face uncertain futures."
Green Party human rights and refugee spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman said they welcomed the "long overdue deal" to resettle those held "unlawfully in Australia's prison islands".
"We welcome wholeheartedly the refugees preparing to travel to Aotearoa from Manus and Nauru.
"But I think Australia deserves some very harsh criticism on the delay. We know Australia is the kind of country where successive governments have been torturing refugees on prison islands."
Ghahraman said the deal should come on top of the existing quota, which New Zealand had not met for three years due to the pandemic. This would also allow New Zealand to better support the crisis in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Since July 2019, just over 1500 quota refugees have arrived here, out of 4500 spaces.
Last year just 263 arrived. Additionally spaces for 300 family members a year have not been filled, with just 164 arriving over the past nearly three years from 900 spaces.
Ghahraman said New Zealand needed to do more to pressure Australia to shut its offshore detention centres permanently.
"We have our closest ally, right next door, holding people in conditions that have been described by the likes of Amnesty International and the United Nations... as being akin to torture.
"Australia is torturing people right next door in our Pacific neighbourhood. New Zealand needs to be a very loud voice of criticism and work constructively to shut down the centres."
The deal was struck by former prime ministers John Key and Julia Gillard in 2013 when New Zealand offered to assist with the thousands of asylum seekers arriving in the country, many by boat.
Key had said at the time it was an acknowledgement that New Zealand should share the burden. Per capita, Australia takes in about twice as many refugees per year as New Zealand.
The Australian Government had been concerned the agreement could see refugees who came to New Zealand try to travel back to Australia after they gained residency and/or citizenship, and settle permanently there.
Faafoi has said any refugees arriving here would eventually get the full rights and responsibilities of New Zealand citizens, and any decision on them being able to travel to Australia was for Australia.
Australia's Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said despite the deal their "strong border protection policies had not changed and no one who attempted to travel to Australia illegally by boat would ever settle here".
"This arrangement does not apply to anyone who attempts an illegal maritime journey to Australia in the future.
"Australia remains firm – illegal maritime arrivals will not settle here permanently.
"Anyone who attempts to breach our borders will be turned back or sent to Nauru."
Under the deal, all applications to resettle in New Zealand would undergo the same quota processes – including credibility, security, risk and biometric checks and health assessment – that New Zealand applies to all refugees through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees process.
Refugees under the deal could include those who are in Nauru or are temporarily in Australia under regional processing arrangements, along with those who meet general quota requirements and/or are referred to New Zealand by the UNHCR.
It would include those who are not engaged in other third-country resettlement pathways, such as the United States resettlement arrangement.
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/www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealand-and-australia-reach-deal-over-refugee-resettlement-offer
Maybe you’re thinking the recycling fairies at Auckland Council will magically sort your hazardous waste.
Gas bottles cause fires in rubbish and recycling trucks. Take your gas bottle to TankTest or Matagas for free, or drop it off at a Community Recycling Centre. Never put a gas bottle in … View moreMaybe you’re thinking the recycling fairies at Auckland Council will magically sort your hazardous waste.
Gas bottles cause fires in rubbish and recycling trucks. Take your gas bottle to TankTest or Matagas for free, or drop it off at a Community Recycling Centre. Never put a gas bottle in your kerbside bin, Think before you throw.
From 17 Feb 2022 to 27 Feb 2022 (reported next day) the total number of NZ COVID-19 cases from early 2020 quadrupled from 25,000 to 100,000 cases. Consider when the number of community cases will quadruple again to 400,000 cases. When will the number of community cases in NZ reach 400,000 cases. … View moreFrom 17 Feb 2022 to 27 Feb 2022 (reported next day) the total number of NZ COVID-19 cases from early 2020 quadrupled from 25,000 to 100,000 cases. Consider when the number of community cases will quadruple again to 400,000 cases. When will the number of community cases in NZ reach 400,000 cases. Which is the best choice?
Inspired by root vegetables, our Diploma chef students have prepared vegetable Ravioli made not with pasta but from Beetroot and Swede (Rutabaga). The vegetable ravioli is stuffed with a puree of mushrooms.
For the second dish, tomatoes with stuffed with tomato compote, basil mayo, and … View moreInspired by root vegetables, our Diploma chef students have prepared vegetable Ravioli made not with pasta but from Beetroot and Swede (Rutabaga). The vegetable ravioli is stuffed with a puree of mushrooms.
For the second dish, tomatoes with stuffed with tomato compote, basil mayo, and Parmigiano wafers.
Temperatures are going down, but it's easy to bring the warmth up at home without heating up your power bill or our planet.
It's second nature to us to add layers when we go out. We pull on socks, leggings, jumpers, coats, and hats.
For a warm and inviting winter home, layer up … View moreTemperatures are going down, but it's easy to bring the warmth up at home without heating up your power bill or our planet.
It's second nature to us to add layers when we go out. We pull on socks, leggings, jumpers, coats, and hats.
For a warm and inviting winter home, layer up your spaces with our growing range of sustainable and affordable cushions, throws, and furniture.
Start adding your layers today and by the time winter really kicks in, you'll be ready to kick back and relax.
Names change significantly from place to place and from time to time. They are difficult to remember. The New Testament contains many named individuals. One can see the statistical distribution of names in the Gospel area from ancient literature and from inscriptions in tombs. Using modern … View moreNames change significantly from place to place and from time to time. They are difficult to remember. The New Testament contains many named individuals. One can see the statistical distribution of names in the Gospel area from ancient literature and from inscriptions in tombs. Using modern statistical techniques these can be compared with the distribution of names from the New Testament; it can be seen that the two distributions match very well. It would be very difficult for even a modern author to invent names with the correct distribution; an ancient writer would not have the statistical methods to even attempt to do so.
This is very good evidence that the Gospels were written close to the time of Jesus, and that the writers did not invent the stories in them. The fact that the names are remembered at all indicates that the accounts were remembered in detail and not just in general terms.
Click "Read More" to watch a YouTube video on this topic.
As we have seen with the flooding in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia, climate can pose a significant threat to our homes!
Thousands of people have been evacuated, and many made homeless as a result of the floods. Our homes are often our most significant investments, and the cost of … View moreAs we have seen with the flooding in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia, climate can pose a significant threat to our homes!
Thousands of people have been evacuated, and many made homeless as a result of the floods. Our homes are often our most significant investments, and the cost of these events can be devastating!
Using the Climate Insights residential property tool, you can identify any risks that your home may face in the future with a changing climate. This information, along with adaptation options, allows you to prepare!
It’s almost time to Drive Away a Dream! Just spend $100 or more in-store or online at www.heathcotes.co.nz and you’ll be in to win a new Volkswagen Tiguan Sport!*
Shop our range of TV, Audio, Kitchen, Laundry, IT, Cameras & more and for a limited time, score double entries with every … View moreIt’s almost time to Drive Away a Dream! Just spend $100 or more in-store or online at www.heathcotes.co.nz and you’ll be in to win a new Volkswagen Tiguan Sport!*
Shop our range of TV, Audio, Kitchen, Laundry, IT, Cameras & more and for a limited time, score double entries with every eligible purchase! Entries close April 5th , so get in quick!
The Heathcotes Team
*T&Cs apply. Double Entries available on eligible purchases made between March 24th 2022 & April 5th 2022. View full promotion terms here.
Does anyone know of someone who does uplifting of house carpet plus removal of it, thanks?
Putting a tasty and nutritious meal in front of our families each night is important for many of us, but with work, school, and activities in the way, it can also become a stressful chore.
Dinner Sorted delivers a week's worth of delicious, satisfying recipes that should please the whole … View morePutting a tasty and nutritious meal in front of our families each night is important for many of us, but with work, school, and activities in the way, it can also become a stressful chore.
Dinner Sorted delivers a week's worth of delicious, satisfying recipes that should please the whole family, sent to your inbox on Saturday mornings. As a bonus you'll also get our Weekend Baking collection, perfect for filling the baking tins, lunchboxes, or just that 4pm gap.
Subscribe by 5pm on 4 April and go in the draw to win a 65" Sony TV. For details and T&Cs see here.
Sign up here (it's free!).
Sold something in record time? Reunited with a furry friend? Or maybe you formed a friendship with a neighbour? We'd love to hear about it.
Tell us your best Neighbourly story and you could win a prize from our spot prize cupboard. We’re looking for stories from our member's … View moreSold something in record time? Reunited with a furry friend? Or maybe you formed a friendship with a neighbour? We'd love to hear about it.
Tell us your best Neighbourly story and you could win a prize from our spot prize cupboard. We’re looking for stories from our member's experiences with Neighbourly. It doesn't have to be anything momentous; some of the simplest stories are the most heart-warming.
Have fun learning the fundamental baking and patisserie techniques required to prepare a range of classic cakes, pastries, desserts and breads.
You will learn to prepare delicious cakes and gateaux, shortcrust & puff pastry, breads, brioche, soufflés, ice-creams etc.
.
Part-time: 10 … View moreHave fun learning the fundamental baking and patisserie techniques required to prepare a range of classic cakes, pastries, desserts and breads.
You will learn to prepare delicious cakes and gateaux, shortcrust & puff pastry, breads, brioche, soufflés, ice-creams etc.
.
Part-time: 10 weeks, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 3 pm - 8pm.
Starts: 13 April - 16 June 2022
Hi everyone,
With overseas tourists set to return to NZ shortly, we're looking at doing a light-hearted piece on the odd questions Kiwis have been asked about NZ. You may have seen the post doing the rounds on social media at the moment asking whether English is spoken here and suggesting NZ … View moreHi everyone,
With overseas tourists set to return to NZ shortly, we're looking at doing a light-hearted piece on the odd questions Kiwis have been asked about NZ. You may have seen the post doing the rounds on social media at the moment asking whether English is spoken here and suggesting NZ is a state of Australia (see below). Have you ever been asked anything surprising about NZ? Feel free to message me or comment below. Please put 'NFP' (not for publication) in your comment if you do not want it or your name included in the article. Thanks very much for your help and happy travels.
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