Lynfield, Auckland

Last chance for tickets!

Last chance for tickets!

For just $15, you could win a fully furnished home in Blenheim worth over $1 million. Buy your tickets today!

1706 days ago

Famous Thai restaurant Mai Thai to close as CRL and coronavirus outbreak bites

Brian from New Lynn

One of Auckland's oldest Thai restaurants will be closing after being severely impacted by the Auckland City Rail Link (CRL) construction and coronavirus outbreak. Mai Thai, which opened for business in 1989, has been steadily losing customers since the CRL works began - but owner Bow … View moreOne of Auckland's oldest Thai restaurants will be closing after being severely impacted by the Auckland City Rail Link (CRL) construction and coronavirus outbreak. Mai Thai, which opened for business in 1989, has been steadily losing customers since the CRL works began - but owner Bow Manoonpong says the sharp drop in tourist numbers was "the straw that broke this camel's back". The Restaurant Association said many restaurant owners are now in "desperate situations" with many facing temporary closures. Mai Thai is the second longest running Thai eatery in the city, with the oldest being Red Elephant on Khyber Pass Rd - previously known as Chang Thong - which started a year earlier. Manoonpong said the restaurant, famous for its pad thai noodles and tom yum goong, will shut its doors for the last time at the end of April. "It was such a difficult and painful decision to make, but we didn't have any other choice," said Manoonpong, who started the business when she was just 26. "We have had many good memories here, and Mai Thai is happy to have been the pioneers in bringing authentic Thai cuisine to Aucklanders." Mai Thai has won the Thai Select award for the past 15 years, and queues to get into the 160-seater restaurant were a common sight in the past. The restaurant has hosted former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her officials during her visit to New Zealand, and has been regarded as the "official venue" for dinners by visiting Thai delegations and officials. But since works began for the city rail link, the once bustling Albert St had been turned into a massive construction site. Recent travel and immigration restrictions due to the virus also meant tourists and international students have almost vanished in recent weeks. "When tourists stopped coming there was no way we could survive, and since our lease was also up for renewal we thought this was time to say goodbye," Manoonpong said. "I problems started with the CRL, but I think the coronavirus situation is what broke this camel's back." In its last month of operation, Mai Thai will be donating $2 from each main dish it sells to Starship Hospital as a way to thank Aucklanders for their support. Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois is calling on Kiwi locals to continue dining out or risk losing more ethnic restaurants. Two fine dining Asian eateries that opened last year, Red Wall 1939 at the Parnell Rose Garden and Epicer by Michelin-star chef Manjunath Mural on Ponsonby Rd, have also closed down. "We are fielding a number of calls from business owners in desperate situations, asking for advice as they face temporary closure. Many of these calls are coming from our ethnic restaurants," Bidois said. "These restaurants are struggling on two fronts; a lack of international tourists particularly from China where group bookings in Chinese restaurants are common during the summer period and also from local diners staying away for fear of being exposed to the virus." Bidois said the association had in the last two weeks received calls from Chinese, Indian, Thai, Italian and also Iranian restaurants which seemed to be the most affected. "These businesses are feeling largely unheard. We are doing all we can to assist with our free emergency membership to businesses that need it," she said. "We enjoy a vibrant and diverse dining scene in New Zealand and we want to see that continue so we urge local diners to continue to dine out."
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1708 days ago

Two Young Chickens

Mubashir Neighbourly Lead from Mount Roskill

Found them roaming in my backyard near Mount Albert road/Scout Ave. Is anyone missing them? Don't want to catch them and scare them off.

1710 days ago

Bible Prohecy Seminar Each Sunday 6.45pm Starts Tonight

Christadelphians New Lynn

There are remarkable prophecies found in the Bible, and nowhere else in the world. There are no other writings, no other books, no other human pronouncements which can even begin to compare with the Bible. But the Bible tells us that Jesus was the Son of God; the things he said are preserved for … View moreThere are remarkable prophecies found in the Bible, and nowhere else in the world. There are no other writings, no other books, no other human pronouncements which can even begin to compare with the Bible. But the Bible tells us that Jesus was the Son of God; the things he said are preserved for us in the Gospels of the New Testament. Together with the teachings of his inspired apostles Peter, John and Paul, they reveal to us truths we cannot know otherwise. They warn us of the reality of death; they explain why the Gospel is “the good news”, “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16).
They encourage us with the promise of a lasting life in the new order which Christ will establish when he comes. That is why we ought to be reading the Bible. It can make the vital difference to us between the hopelessness of death and the confident hope of everlasting life.

Careful reading of the Bible will convince us that God exists, that He is in control, and that He uses prophecy to tell us His Plans. He calls us to be disciples of His Son. The Bible is the book for us. We do well to pay attention to what it says.

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1706 days ago

👐🏻 Practising river safety using team work, finding support in each other.

Graeme Dingle Foundation

All of our programmes have a focus on team-building, learning to work through challenges with others.

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1708 days ago

Short-term Rental

Azra from Mount Roskill

Hi neighbours
Does anyone have short-term accommodation available from 8th April for a month? I've got my parents flying in and I need to search for suitable place for them. AirBnbs and Holiday homes which charge a daily rate are over my budget...
Thanks

1707 days ago

Cash for your wrecked car! Call us 0800 500 001

The Team from AAA Auto Parts

Hi neighbours,

is it time for you to remove that unused car taking up space in your yard?

At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars.

We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!

* $300 - $3000 for small cars
* $700 - $10,000 for 4x4 utes, vans, 4WD, trucks and buses
View more
Hi neighbours,

is it time for you to remove that unused car taking up space in your yard?

At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars.

We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!

* $300 - $3000 for small cars
* $700 - $10,000 for 4x4 utes, vans, 4WD, trucks and buses
* Same day removal
* Free quotes over the phone

We will beat any prices in the market by 10%.

Support your local business.
Give us a call on ** 0800 50 00 01 ** and we will be happy to have a chat.
Enquire now

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1707 days ago

Poll: Social media and coronavirus

Kelly Dennett Reporter from Sunday Star Times

There is an overwhelming about of information about coronavirus available to us, but which source is the most credible? The Sunday Star-Times is keen to hear about the information you're seeing on social media and how much you trust it. Vote in the poll below, and feel free to email us with … View moreThere is an overwhelming about of information about coronavirus available to us, but which source is the most credible? The Sunday Star-Times is keen to hear about the information you're seeing on social media and how much you trust it. Vote in the poll below, and feel free to email us with any examples of misinformation: kelly.dennett@stuff.co.nz. Our question for you: Do you trust what your friends and family are sharing/saying about coronavirus on social media?

Social media and coronavirus
  • 7.4% Yes
    7.4% Complete
  • 52.3% No
    52.3% Complete
  • 40.3% Sometimes
    40.3% Complete
961 votes
Top