964 days ago

Winter Energy Payment

Brian from Mount Roskill

The Winter Energy payment starts today. This is an extra payment to help with the cost of heating your home over winter.

If you're single or widowed, you'll get an extra $20.46 a week. Couples and people with dependent children will get an extra $31.82 a week. Couples are paid $63.64 a fortnight and the combined payment is made to one person in the couple – unfortunately we can’t split it, but we can switch it to the other person’s account. Payments will start from 1 May and continue until 1 October 2023.

If you're getting Foster Care Allowance, please get in touch. We may be able to pay you at a higher rate.

When the Winter Energy Payment starts part way through the pay period, your first payment due on the 9 May will be less than the full amount (this includes 9 days of Winter Energy Payment). You’ll be paid the full amount in the following payment due on the 23 May.

The Winter Energy Payment won’t affect other payments you get from us and isn’t considered income (for tax purposes).

If you'd prefer not to get this payment, just let us know and we'll stop it for you.

Travelling overseas while getting the Winter Energy Payment
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If you're heading away from New Zealand over the winter months, we can keep paying your Winter Energy Payment for up to 28 days. Tell us if you plan to leave New Zealand for more than 28 days, otherwise we might pay you too much and have to ask for some money back. The easiest way to let us know is to either:
• fill out and submit the overseas travel dates online form
• call us on our Seniors line, 0800 552 002

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Ministry Of Social Development------NZ Government
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More messages from your neighbours
26 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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17 hours ago

From National MP--CHRIS BISHOP----'Twas the night before taxes'

Brian from Mount Roskill

’Twas the night before taxes, and all through the nation,
Hard-working Kiwis were still feeling Labour’s inflation.

While their payslips were hidden with care,
They prayed Hipkins and Chloë wouldn’t take their ‘fair’ share.

When out by the Beehive there rose such a shout,
The Greens’ TikTok was not getting enough clout.

“We need more taxes!” Chloë said with a flair,
“For justice! For progress! For… I’ll think of the rest later, I swear.”

Hipkins quickly agreed, as Chloë and the Greens held the key,
He knew he couldn’t win without their guarantee.

But before he could breathe, Te Pāti Māori came with a glare,
Holding a wishlist of taxes that reached mid-air.

And so the trio assembled, a most troublesome sight,
Ready to dream up new taxes till the early midnight.

But no need to worry, National set things right,
We delivered tax relief that finally eased the bite.

And with new roads, schools, and hospitals underway,
Our infrastructure is getting stronger everyday.

Fixing the basics and building the future, as we’ve said,
So every Kiwi family can finally get ahead.
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1 day ago

Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.

We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.

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🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
  • 82.3% Same!
    82.3% Complete
  • 17.7% Would have liked to try something different
    17.7% Complete
164 votes