Mount Albert, Auckland

1255 days ago

Covid-19 Update: Covid-19: Kmart and vape store among new locations of interest linked to new case

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Hi Neighbours,

Here's an important Covid-19 update:

Georgia Forrester and George Block

A Kmart and a vape store in Auckland are the latest locations linked to the movements of a person who has tested positive for Covid-19.

The owner of the vape store, Dark Vapes, in East Tamaki, said the … View more
Hi Neighbours,

Here's an important Covid-19 update:

Georgia Forrester and George Block

A Kmart and a vape store in Auckland are the latest locations linked to the movements of a person who has tested positive for Covid-19.

The owner of the vape store, Dark Vapes, in East Tamaki, said the closure of his shop on Wednesday for deep cleaning, followed by his mandatory self-isolation, would be tough for his small business.

Three new community cases of Covid-19 in south Auckland were announced on Tuesday.

The first was a student at Papatoetoe High School, which the Ministry of Health announced earlier in the day. Two other cases – the student’s siblings, who are a teenager and an infant – were confirmed on Tuesday evening.

Kmart in Botany, in east Auckland, and Dark Vapes are among the places of interest visited by one of the cases, with further locations expected to be released on Wednesday.

Kmart Botany

The teenager reported as a new case on Tuesday night works at Kmart Botany.

They were at work on Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20, between 3.30pm and 10.30pm.

The store was closed on Tuesday night, and a thorough sanitisation of the store was being carried out, a Kmart spokesperson said.

Thirty-one Kmart staff have been identified as close contacts and are self-isolating, the ministry said.

Any members of the public who visited Kmart Botany at the times the student was working is considered a casual plus contact, and must self-isolate at home immediately.

Casual plus contacts are those who would have been considered casual contacts, but have been upgraded due to the risk of the more transmissible strains of the virus.

“If you are a casual plus contact, you are advised to immediately isolate at home and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice on isolation time frames and testing requirements,” the ministry said.

Dark Vapes

One of the two high school students announced as new cases on Tuesday also twice visited Dark Vapes in East Tamaki, on Friday and Saturday.

The owner, who did not want to be named, said the store would be closed on Wednesday for deep cleaning, and he would isolate at home for 14-days, as per Ministry of Health advice.

“It's going to be tough for the business.”

He said the store would be able to reopen after cleaning as another staff member was available to help run it.

The owner did not know the identity of the case who visited.

A Ministry of Health spokeswoman said she was not sure which of the cases visited the store.

The visits to the vape store took place on Friday, February 19 between 2.30pm and 4pm, and also Saturday, February 20, between 7pm and 8.30pm.

People who visited the store during these times are considered to be casual-plus contacts.

More locations are expected to be released by the ministry on its website.

1250 days ago

COVID-19 ALERT LEVEL UPDATE

The Team from New Zealand Police

From 6am tomorrow morning, Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2. The measures will remain in place for the next seven days.

More details available at www.covid19.govt.nz....

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1251 days ago

Auckland is now at Alert Level 3

Neighbourly.co.nz

**UPDATED:** 1.23pm Sunday 28 February

The Prime Minister and the Director-General of Health have provided an update to media in the Beehive.

Ardern has confirmed that health authorities have found a possible person to person link for how Case M and N picked up Covid-19. This could eliminate … View more
**UPDATED:** 1.23pm Sunday 28 February

The Prime Minister and the Director-General of Health have provided an update to media in the Beehive.

Ardern has confirmed that health authorities have found a possible person to person link for how Case M and N picked up Covid-19. This could eliminate concern that there are other chains of transmission to identify.

Ashley Bloomfield asked people to keep an eye out for atypical symptoms
"This new variant of the virus, the B117, does seem to be presenting with symptoms that are not the typical respiratory symptoms," he said.

If you have muscle aches, do consider this might be a Covid-19 symptom.
___________________________________________

**UPDATED:** 12.54 Sunday 28 February

Auckland is now at Alert Level 3 and the rest of the country is at Alert Level 2 until at least March 6.

Auckland Contract tracing locations of interest include:
• City Fitness (20 and 26 February)
• Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) Manukau Campus (22, 24, 25 February)
• Hunters Plaza (26 February)
• Burger King Highland Park (25 February)
• Your Health Pharmacy (23 February)
• Pak n Save Manukau (21 February)

For the latest locations of interest including times and dates please follow this link.

Here's what you need to know:
- Case M, the latest Covid-19 case, is a 21-year-old male, the older sibling of a Papatoetoe High School student.
- If you have symptoms of concern, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or call your GP.
- Find your closest Covid-19 testing location on the Healthpoint website
- Stay home, in your bubbles if you are in Auckland. Gatherings with others outside this bubble are prohibited.
- If you go outside your home maintain physical distancing of 2 metres, or 1 metre in controlled environments where you know the others present.
- Travel in and out of Auckland is for essential travel only. A border will be established around Auckland, similar to the demarcations before.
- Essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.
- Aucklanders are asked to wear facial coverings when accessing essential services.
- Customer-facing businesses will need to move to non-contact methods of payment and collection.
- See the full list of guidelines under Alert Level 3 and Alert Level 2
- Keep up-to-date with the latest by following the Stuff live blog

Neighbourly will be updating this message as further information comes to hand.

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1254 days ago

We Say/You Say: Coastal Erosion

Neighbourly.co.nz

Hi Auckland,

How worried are you about coastal erosion in Auckland?

Auckland's shoreline could recede by 200m by 2130 if little to no action on climate change is taken.

The report, titled "Predicting Auckland's exposure to coastal instability and erosion", details the … View more
Hi Auckland,

How worried are you about coastal erosion in Auckland?

Auckland's shoreline could recede by 200m by 2130 if little to no action on climate change is taken.

The report, titled "Predicting Auckland's exposure to coastal instability and erosion", details the impacts this will have on communities the Auckland region.

Sea level rise is notoriously difficult for scientists to follow and this has meant coastal erosion rates have been difficult to predict.

New Zealand's sea levels have risen an average 1.67mm per year since 1989, but the Ministry of Environment says this will accelerate if little action is taken on climate change.

What do you think should be done about it? Share your thoughts below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments used in your local community newspaper.

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D
1251 days ago

Free couch with pull out bed

Darrel from Mount Roskill

Hi Neighbours,
A couch with a pull out bed free to a good home. This is a non-smoking, non-pet home. Need to give away as we are upgrading.
Please message me to arrange time for viewing.
Regards

Free

S
1251 days ago

Star Wars characters at Mt. Roskill. Countdown

Stuart from Sandringham

Outpost 42 are collecting for Child Cancer Foundation. Come get a free photo with the troops and make a donation while you are here!

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1256 days ago

Volunteers Sought To Back Next Generation of Guide Dogs

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Calling all puppy lovers.

Blind Low Vision New Zealand wants you.

The organisation is appealing for volunteers to collect donations for the Red Puppy Appeal.

Funds raised on March 26 and March 27 will be used to train and care for the next generation of guide dogs.

About 100 puppies are bred … View more
Calling all puppy lovers.

Blind Low Vision New Zealand wants you.

The organisation is appealing for volunteers to collect donations for the Red Puppy Appeal.

Funds raised on March 26 and March 27 will be used to train and care for the next generation of guide dogs.

About 100 puppies are bred and trained each year.

It takes nearly two years and more than $50,000 to raise and teach just one guide dog.

Blind Low Vision NZ is calling for 2000 volunteers to join the pack.

The goal is to raise $300,000 this year.

Register online at redpuppy.org.nz or call 0800 787 743 (0800 PUPPIES) to volunteer.

1251 days ago

WIN tickets to Auckland Arts Festival 2021

Auckland Arts Festival

Auckland Arts Festival/Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki (AAF) 2021 kicks off in a fortnight, offering a jampacked programme for you and your whānau to enjoy.

Happening between 4 and 21 March, AAF 2021 features a 100% Aotearoa selection of more than 70 multi-art shows and events at theatres, galleries … View more
Auckland Arts Festival/Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki (AAF) 2021 kicks off in a fortnight, offering a jampacked programme for you and your whānau to enjoy.

Happening between 4 and 21 March, AAF 2021 features a 100% Aotearoa selection of more than 70 multi-art shows and events at theatres, galleries and unique indoor and outdoor venues across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Paying homage to the overarching 2021 theme of Aroha, shows on offer include everything from dance to theatre, live music to comedy, visual and digital art, talks and debate, community participation projects and more.

Among those tipped to be crowd pleasers this year are Che-Fu and the Krates at Auckland Town Hall for the 20-year anniversary of their album Navigator.

The APO will perform the soundtrack to E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial while the film screens at Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre at Aotea Centre and Michael Hurst will appear in a version of Jack and the Beanstalk playing the role of Jack's mum.

10 double passes to giveaway, simply LIKE or THANK this post to be in the draw to WIN a great experience of the Auckland Art Festival/ Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki performances. T&Cs apply.
Find out more

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1251 days ago

Tell us about a local business that makes your day?

Prospa

With the craziness of last year behind us, it’s time to give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2021 Prospa Local Business Hero awards – and they could be up for some fantastic prizes.

As NZ’s business lending specialists, we at … View more
With the craziness of last year behind us, it’s time to give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2021 Prospa Local Business Hero awards – and they could be up for some fantastic prizes.

As NZ’s business lending specialists, we at Prospa love seeing small businesses reach their goals with a faster, easier approach to business loans. And we’re proud to be back sponsoring the 2021 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
Nominate now

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J
1252 days ago

bathroom scales

Janice from Mount Roskill

I have bathroom scales to give away. The brand is EKS and they are accurate. I have upgraded to digital. PM me if interested. I may be able to deliver.

Free

1252 days ago

One Voice Choir seeking new members ...

Crispin from Point Chevalier

One Voice Choir is currently open to new members, so if you love to sing and are free on a Thursday evening between 7:30 and 9:30 consider joining us ... More details are available on our website: www.onevoicechoir.org.nz...

1252 days ago

Auckland man earns long service award

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Peter Cooke has worked in the same job for 49 years.

The 73-year-old is the longest serving staff member at Mount Eden's Community Corrections service in Auckland.

The probation officer has been recognised with a long service and good conduct award.

It all started in 1971 when Cooke joined … View more
Peter Cooke has worked in the same job for 49 years.

The 73-year-old is the longest serving staff member at Mount Eden's Community Corrections service in Auckland.

The probation officer has been recognised with a long service and good conduct award.

It all started in 1971 when Cooke joined the probation service after gaining his law degree at Auckland University.

The probation service "seemed a good place to start and much more exciting than being a lawyer," he said.

"(I) stayed because I still have some of the idealism left and the criminal justice system is still an exciting place to work in."

In 1971 the Probation Service, as it was known, was a division of the Department of Justice.

This changed with the establishment of the Department of Corrections in 1996.

In Auckland, there was a main office in High St with reporting centres in the suburbs, Cooke said.

"I looked after Henderson and you were at the reporting centres at night on your own.

"In addition, probation officers collected fines and reparation as part of a special condition of probation, and a cash box with a float of money accompanied us."

Cooke was the sole charge district probation officer at Kaikohe.

He recalls travelling on his own to do home visits for most of the rural caseload.

Cooke has seen many changes over the years.

People under probation orders were now much more difficult to manage and more unpredictable, he said.

Before the 2002 Sentencing Act, there was a national Parole Board for those sentenced over 7 years Imprisonment and a District Prisons Board for each prison deciding release for those serving under 7 year sentences, Cooke said.

"They also decided on back end Home Detention before Home Detention became a separate sentence. "

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1252 days ago

10-year Budget 2021-2031 webinar events

The Team from Auckland Council

If you would like the opportunity to ask questions about the 10-year Budget 2021-2031 with your councillor and local board, we have a range of webinars available 👇
akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...

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1252 days ago

Covid-19: A year since New Zealand's first reported case

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Hi neighbours,

It's been one year today since New Zealand's first reported case of Covid-19.

A person in their 60s flew from Iran via Bali and touched down in Aotearoa on February 26, 2020.

Two days later, that person's test came back positive for Covid-19.

Later, a historical … View more
Hi neighbours,

It's been one year today since New Zealand's first reported case of Covid-19.

A person in their 60s flew from Iran via Bali and touched down in Aotearoa on February 26, 2020.

Two days later, that person's test came back positive for Covid-19.

Later, a historical case emerged – a visitor to the Waikato who became ill with symptoms consistent with Covid-19 on or about February 21.

The past year has been incredible, turbulent and unprecedented.

How do you think New Zealand has done with its response to the pandemic?

What do you think we have done well as a nation to combat Covid-19?

What could we have done better to ward off the virus?

What have you learned from the pandemic?

*Please put NFP if you do not want your comments used by Stuff.

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1254 days ago

What's your experience with pre-fabricated homes?

Kelly Dennett Reporter from Sunday Star Times

The Sunday Star-Times is looking into the rise of transportable/ kit-set/ pre fabricated homes. The upsides are build-efficiency, quality of design, and cost. The downsides appear to be land supply, red-tape with council and difficulty getting lending from banks. If you're willing to share … View moreThe Sunday Star-Times is looking into the rise of transportable/ kit-set/ pre fabricated homes. The upsides are build-efficiency, quality of design, and cost. The downsides appear to be land supply, red-tape with council and difficulty getting lending from banks. If you're willing to share your experience - good or bad - email kelly.dennett@stuff.co.nz, otherwise leave a comment. Is there an aspect of transportable housing you'd like us to enquire about for you?

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