1984 days ago

Poll: Do you agree Matariki or Māori New Year should be a public holiday?

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

Hi neighbours,

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has announced Labour will make Matariki New Zealand’s twelth public holiday from 2022 if re-elected.

The new winter public holiday would fall at some point during the Matariki period, with an expectation that it would always happen on either a Monday or a Friday.

The policy announcement follows a series of public campaigns for the Matariki, which acts as the Māori New Year, to be recognised.

The exact timing of Matariki shifts every year as it relates to a star cluster reappearing and has traditionally varied between Iwi.

It would be the first new public holiday since the Third Labour Government made Waitangi Day a public holiday in 1973, although then Prime Minister Norman Kirk called it “New Zealand Day”.

“Matariki will be a distinctly New Zealand holiday and a time for reflection, celebration and to look to the future as we take increasing pride in our unique national identity,” Ardern said.

She said the struggling tourism sector could use the help of another holiday and noted the “long run” with no public holidays that currently happens between Queen’s Birthday in early June and Labour Day in late October.

“We don’t have many statutory holidays compared to other OECD countries and it would be good to break up the long run through winter,” Ardern said.

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Do you agree Matariki or Māori New Year should be a public holiday?
  • 63.8% Yes
    63.8% Complete
  • 36.2% No
    36.2% Complete
1358 votes
More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙

One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.

So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?

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Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
  • 60.6% Yes, supporting people is important!
    60.6% Complete
  • 23.5% No, individuals should take responsibility
    23.5% Complete
  • 15.9% ... It is complicated
    15.9% Complete
315 votes
1 day ago

A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?

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P
1 day ago

TARO LEAVES

Praveen from Papatoetoe

TARO LEAVES
$5 for 8 EXTRA LARGE LEAVES
$5 for 10 LARGE LARGE LEAVES
$5 for 12 MEDIUM LEAVES
No scammers please!
Puhinui Road Papatoetoe