Mount Eden, Auckland

Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.

What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?

When should the tree go up? 🎄

• Second half of November
• 1st December
• A week before Christmas
• Whenever you wish
• Other - I'll share below

Vote View Results

• 4.6% Second half of November
  4.6% Complete
• 43.6% 1st December
  43.6% Complete
• 17.8% A week before Christmas
  17.8% Complete
• 33% Whenever you wish
  33% Complete
• 1.1% Other - I'll share below
  1.1% Complete

2484 votes

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

• Yes
• No
• Other - I'll share below

Vote View Results

• 83% Yes
  83% Complete
• 14.5% No
  14.5% Complete
• 2.5% Other - I'll share below
  2.5% Complete

1298 votes

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to … View moreKia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass … View moreThis Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

Our community open food pantry

Poli from Grey Lynn

Hi all,
Poli from Grey Lynn Community Church - 550 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn. Can we please work together to find the person that took the two sliding doors of our food pantry. It happened twice now. This food pantry is for our community and just want to thanks our local business esp bakery shops and… View moreHi all,
Poli from Grey Lynn Community Church - 550 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn. Can we please work together to find the person that took the two sliding doors of our food pantry. It happened twice now. This food pantry is for our community and just want to thanks our local business esp bakery shops and individuals who out of their beautiful hearts donate. But obviously someone out there is trying to ruin something that we collectively want to do for our people. Please if you see someone act suspiciously maybe ring the police or call me on 027 531 9914.
Thanks everyone

The Greater Atua - Day 8

Kiran Reddy from Mount Eden

In Māori culture, atua refers to spiritual beings, ancestors, or gods that embody and oversee the forces of nature and the universe. Atua can represent elements like the sea, forests, sky, or even concepts such as peace or war. They are often linked to whakapapa (genealogy) and are seen as … View moreIn Māori culture, atua refers to spiritual beings, ancestors, or gods that embody and oversee the forces of nature and the universe. Atua can represent elements like the sea, forests, sky, or even concepts such as peace or war. They are often linked to whakapapa (genealogy) and are seen as guardians and kaitiaki (caretakers) of their respective domains.

For example:

Tāne-mahuta: Atua of the forests and birds.
Tangaroa: Atua of the sea and marine life.
Ranginui: Atua of the sky (Sky Father).
Papatūānuku: The Earth Mother.
Hine-nui-te-pō: Atua of death and the underworld.
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In the sacred realms of Te Ao Māori, Tāne-mahuta (the atua of forests and birds) and Tangaroa (the atua of the sea) once had a disagreement. Each believed their mana (prestige) and influence over the natural world made them the greatest among the atua. Their debate grew heated, and to settle the matter, Io Matua Kore, the supreme being, appeared in the form of an unending pou (pillar).

Io proclaimed, "Whoever can reach either the top or the base of this pou will prove their greatness." Tāne-mahuta transformed into a hawk, soaring high into the skies to find the top, while Tangaroa shifted into a great taniwha and dove deep into the ocean to find the base.

Days turned into nights, and neither Tāne-mahuta nor Tangaroa could find the end of the pou. Tāne-mahuta’s wings grew tired as he flew higher and higher, and Tangaroa's strength waned as he swam deeper and deeper into the dark, cold depths of the moana (ocean). Eventually, both returned to the base of the pou, exhausted but determined to share their experiences.

Tāne-mahuta, embodying his role as kaitiaki (guardian), spoke the truth. "No matter how far I flew, I could not see the top of the pou. Its height is beyond comprehension, just as Io's wisdom and power are limitless."

Tangaroa, however, in his eagerness to prove his superiority, falsely claimed that he had touched the bottom of the pou. To support his claim, he called upon a kahawai (a fish) to nod in agreement. Io, knowing the truth, rebuked Tangaroa for his dishonesty and the kahawai for blindly supporting a lie.

As a result of his deceit, Tangaroa was told that while he would continue to command the respect of the seas, the realm of the skies and land would belong to Tāne-mahuta. The kahawai was cursed to be hunted endlessly by birds and humans alike, a reminder of the cost of blind allegiance to falsehoods. Tāne-mahuta, for his honesty and humility, was praised, and his forests and birds would be revered across the land.
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Moral of the Story

The story teaches us that truth and humility are greater than pride and deception. Greatness comes not from self-proclaimed superiority but from being steadfast in honesty and embracing one’s role as a kaitiaki. It also serves as a reminder that blindly following falsehoods can lead to consequences, just as the kahawai learned. In the Māori world, living with integrity and honouring the interconnectedness of all atua ensures balance and harmony in life.

Persistence and Attention to Detail (Day 7)

Kiran Reddy from Mount Eden

In the serene village of Te Ao Marama, a young Māori student named Aroha was studying engineering at a renowned university in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Aroha was a dedicated learner, carrying with her the aspirations of her whānau (family) and iwi (tribe). She approached her studies with the same … View moreIn the serene village of Te Ao Marama, a young Māori student named Aroha was studying engineering at a renowned university in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Aroha was a dedicated learner, carrying with her the aspirations of her whānau (family) and iwi (tribe). She approached her studies with the same principles her tūpuna (ancestors) had lived by: manaakitanga (care and respect for others), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and a commitment to excellence.

Aroha had consistently achieved high marks in her studies, always earning recognition for her hard work. But when her third-year semester results were published, Aroha was disheartened to see her grades fall to a whakamanawa noa (average pass). One course, in particular, had received unusually low marks, and she couldn’t understand why.

Instead of reacting in frustration, Aroha reflected on the teachings of her kaumātua (elders): "Kia mau ki te tūmanako” — hold on to hope. She sought advice from her peers, who told her to let it go and move forward. They warned her that challenging the system could be risky and might even result in worse outcomes.

Aroha, however, trusted her instincts. She remembered how her tupuna would pause to think carefully before making important decisions. She went to the local marae for karakia (prayer) and spent time in quiet contemplation, asking for guidance. While reflecting, she recalled that during the exam, she had used extra paper to explain her calculations. A thought struck her: what if the additional pages hadn’t been reviewed?

With renewed determination, Aroha submitted a formal request for a recount (re - totaling of her marks). She included a note explaining that she had attached extra pages and asked the examiners to check whether they had been accounted for.

When the recount results came back, her suspicion proved correct—the additional pages containing key parts of her answers had been overlooked. Her recalculated score not only restored her distinction but also placed her among the top students in her class.

Aroha shared the news with her whānau, who celebrated her perseverance. But she also took a moment to thank her professors for their work and acknowledge the importance of the process.

Moral of the Story

This story reflects the principles of whakamanawa (perseverance) and aro nui (attention to detail). Aroha’s success came not only from her hard work but from her willingness to trust her instincts, reflect thoughtfully, and act with respect for the academic system.

Her journey also highlights manaakitanga—the importance of showing gratitude and care for others, even when seeking justice for oneself. For Aroha, her achievement was not just a personal victory but a way to honour her tūpuna and demonstrate how Māori values can guide success in all aspects of life.