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Poll: Should we scrap daylight saving?
This Sunday we'll be putting our clocks back for the end of daylight saving. Despite the benefits of an extra hour of sun during daylight saving, these clock changes commonly bring disruptions to our households and sleep - some feel that it should be scrapped altogether. What do you think?
… View moreThis Sunday we'll be putting our clocks back for the end of daylight saving. Despite the benefits of an extra hour of sun during daylight saving, these clock changes commonly bring disruptions to our households and sleep - some feel that it should be scrapped altogether. What do you think?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
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32.5% Yes, scrap daylight savings
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54.1% No, keep daylight savings
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7% I don't mind either way
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6.4% Keep daylight savings but change the dates
SPiCE Community Competition
Have you registered for our moth plant competition yet? $2700 in cash prizes and lots of spot prizes too all up for grabs for our local community.
3 categories - 1. Primary and Intermediate Schools
2. High Schools
3. Community
Get together a … View moreHave you registered for our moth plant competition yet? $2700 in cash prizes and lots of spot prizes too all up for grabs for our local community.
3 categories - 1. Primary and Intermediate Schools
2. High Schools
3. Community
Get together a team of up to 5 people. Register on our website and start collecting up those moth plants. First prize for the most pods and vines collected in each category wins $500.
Second prize is $300 and we have bonus prizes of $100 for the thickest vine.
We even have maps showing you where moth plant is located!
For more information and how to register just follow the link www.spice.org.nz...
Fullers announces half-price return fares to Waiheke during off-peak times
From April 2, visitors travelling to the island will be able to get a 50 percent reduced ticket price of $24.75 if travelling to Waiheke after 1pm and returning after 7pm.
The fares are applicable to adult fares booked online more than 24 hours in advance.
Fuller360 CEO Mike Horne said it is the … View moreFrom April 2, visitors travelling to the island will be able to get a 50 percent reduced ticket price of $24.75 if travelling to Waiheke after 1pm and returning after 7pm.
The fares are applicable to adult fares booked online more than 24 hours in advance.
Fuller360 CEO Mike Horne said it is the cheapest return fare in 15 years and that by reducing fairs in off-peak times, they are hoping they can spread the demand out across the day.
He said there is an ongoing shortage of skilled maritime workers in New Zealand which means the ferry service does not have the staff numbers to increase its daily trips.
"We expect the pricing reduction will help to smooth out demand for our services throughout the day and improve the overall experience for all those who rely on our services."
Horne said that in an average week only 30 percent of the seats are used and then during the ferry's peak times, on weekends between 9am-12pm and 4pm-7pm, demand jumps up to 200 percent.
He said that although they'd like to simply hire more staff, this problem goes above their heads.
"While we continue to upskill our teams and engage with Government to seek changes to immigration settings, we anticipate these changes to our off-peak ticket pricing will make a positive difference for our passengers," said Horne.
Waiheke Island off-peak ferry tickets will be available on fullers.co.nz from April 2.
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www.newshub.co.nz...
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Egg-cellent holidays
Hop into Sandringham Red Cross shop find egg- citing recycled or new items at affordable prices.
Pensioners, students, and everyone on main benefits will see their payments from the Government rise by 7.22% in line with inflation from April 1.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the changes today as part of his continuing focus on "bread and butter" priorities amid what's shaping up to be a tight election year.
He added it would "mean approximately 1.4 million New Zealanders will not go backwards" as they … View morePrime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the changes today as part of his continuing focus on "bread and butter" priorities amid what's shaping up to be a tight election year.
He added it would "mean approximately 1.4 million New Zealanders will not go backwards" as they "feel the bite from the rise in the cost of living".
The changes announced today would apply on the same day that the Government's previously-announced childcare cost-of-living package would go into effect.
The minimum wage would also be increasing on the same day next month.
Under the changes, a couple on NZ Super would receive $103 more in total a fortnight, and a single person living alone receive an extra $67 with each payment.
Other main benefits that will see an increase include Jobseeker Support, Youth Payment, Young Parent Payment, Sole Parent Support and the Supported Living Payment.
Tertiary students receiving the student allowance will also see around $20 extra for each payment. It will also apply to student loan living cost payments.
"Working families will see increases to Working for Families, including an extra $4 for Best Start Payments taking it to $69 per week and an increase of $9 for the eldest child rate of Family Tax Credit, lifting it to $136 per week," Hipkins said.
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the $311 million change was a "practical solution to ensure those being supported didn't fall behind."
Inflation "rose by 7.22% in the year to December, while the net average wage – against which main benefits are indexed – rose by 6.24%. The extra boost to main benefits covers the 0.98% gap," she said.
"For working-age people receiving a main benefit, they will see an increase of between $19.81 and $46.20, depending on the type of benefit and whether they are single or a couple."
Today's cost of living changes follows an increase to the minimum wage and the Government’s $718 million extension of discounts to the fuel excise duty and public transport fares until June.
Last November, former prime minister Jacinda Ardern announced the Government's $189 million package to make an additional 10,000 children eligible for childcare assistance.
"All up, the additional support above the annual general adjustment equates to an extra $311 million, this is on top of the $189 million announced for the changes to Childcare Subsidy," Hipkins said on Monday.
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www.1news.co.nz...
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Ready for Roar & Duck Season?
With Roar and Duck Season just around the corner, do you have everything you need for an epic adventure this year?
Get down to Hunting & Fishing Botany and check out our extensive range of gear and some awesome specials and promos to make sure you get the most out of your hunting season! … View moreWith Roar and Duck Season just around the corner, do you have everything you need for an epic adventure this year?
Get down to Hunting & Fishing Botany and check out our extensive range of gear and some awesome specials and promos to make sure you get the most out of your hunting season! With everything from freeze dried meals to high quality optics, our experienced team is here to get you sorted.
Time to get out there doing it! See you soon.
Sign up for email alerts
Want to know about road works in your neighbourhood?
Now that we no longer drop work notifications off in your mailbox, the best way to keep informed of planned maintenance in your area is through email alerts.
So, if you want to know about state highway maintenance that might disrupt your … View moreWant to know about road works in your neighbourhood?
Now that we no longer drop work notifications off in your mailbox, the best way to keep informed of planned maintenance in your area is through email alerts.
So, if you want to know about state highway maintenance that might disrupt your journey or increase the level of noise in your neighbourhood, sign up now.
Worm Farm Worms
Hi
Does anyone here have a worm farm with too many worms. Could I have a cup of worms for my wormfarm? I am in Epsom. So is my worm farm. Thakns
Sam Whitelock Webinar
Neighbourhood Support members across New Zealand are invited to attend a special wellbeing webinar, 'Building Strong Communities', with Farmstrong Ambassador, Sam Whitelock, at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4th.
For more information and to register, head to www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz....… View moreNeighbourhood Support members across New Zealand are invited to attend a special wellbeing webinar, 'Building Strong Communities', with Farmstrong Ambassador, Sam Whitelock, at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4th.
For more information and to register, head to www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz....
Please invite those on your street and in your neighbourhood who might be interested (it's not just for rural folk, although those of you in rural communities might be particularly interested).
root barrier
hello neighbours, I'm just trying again to see if I could get someone to install a root barrier to help stop the roots of a Phoenix Palm travelling closer and closer to the foundations of our house. I have found a company who can dig a trench, but they don't install any root barrier. … View morehello neighbours, I'm just trying again to see if I could get someone to install a root barrier to help stop the roots of a Phoenix Palm travelling closer and closer to the foundations of our house. I have found a company who can dig a trench, but they don't install any root barrier. Fingers crossed. Jo 027 536 5496
FUN HO and TONKA TOYS. VINTAGE BOTTLES
Pick up and viewing Wesley mt roskill. Please give Ross a call on 096294288
Sandringham Moth Plant Competition 2023
Who's going to win the $500 top prize this year? Will it be your team☺️?
Registrations open TOMORROW (Monday 27th) for our 2023 Moth Plant Competition and whoever wins, we will all benefit from fewer moth plants taking over the parks and gardens of Sandringham.
We have $900 of cash … View moreWho's going to win the $500 top prize this year? Will it be your team☺️?
Registrations open TOMORROW (Monday 27th) for our 2023 Moth Plant Competition and whoever wins, we will all benefit from fewer moth plants taking over the parks and gardens of Sandringham.
We have $900 of cash prizes up for grabs and spot prizes for delicious Calimero Pizza for all those hungry moth plant hunters.
See here www.spice.org.nz... for more details.
Don't forget, you can start collecting pods as soon as you register so the sooner the better!!
We want your opinion Auckland...
Hey Auckland - we're bringing our amazing, fantastic, incredible, superb, world class city status, closer.
Our great city deserves great public transport. If you want reliable, frequent and hassle free travel around the city that gets you where you're going faster, have your say on … View moreHey Auckland - we're bringing our amazing, fantastic, incredible, superb, world class city status, closer.
Our great city deserves great public transport. If you want reliable, frequent and hassle free travel around the city that gets you where you're going faster, have your say on the Auckland Light Rail Project today.
Student loan borrower arrested at NZ border for overdue repayments, IRD says a ‘last resort’
Details released to the Weekend Herald under the Official Information Act show the latest arrest happened last year.
Use of the hardline power is rare - there was only one arrest in 2022 - and has continued despite Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ past reservations about the policy.
There were no … View moreDetails released to the Weekend Herald under the Official Information Act show the latest arrest happened last year.
Use of the hardline power is rare - there was only one arrest in 2022 - and has continued despite Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ past reservations about the policy.
There were no arrests in 2021, and two in 2020.
New Zealand’s borders shut in March 2020 in an effort to keep out Covid-19, with a Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) system subsequently brought in. Borders reopened in phases last year.
The arrest policy was introduced under National in March 2014.
The first arrest happened in January 2016, when Cook Islander Ngatokotoru Puna was stopped as he tried to leave New Zealand.
Puna’s $40,000 loan had ballooned to about $130,000. He said collection letters went to the wrong address, and had to repay thousands before authorities agreed to him returning home.
There have now been a total of 11 border arrests.
Inland Revenue is responsible for chasing up overdue student loan debt, and its commissioner applies for the arrest warrants.
The department told the Weekend Herald that arresting someone at the border as they try to leave New Zealand is a “last resort after all other avenues to secure payment have been exhausted”.
“Inland Revenue will always try to work with our customers directly before pursuing legal action. There are relief options available to help manage repayments for those who are in a position of hardship.”
The amounts of overdue repayments at the time of arrest (not the loan balance) ranged from $15,000 to $90,000. Those arrested were aged from 30 to 55.
All those arrested either paid or reached a repayment agreement.
Inland Revenue declined to say how many overseas-based borrowers were having their travel movements monitored for possible arrest, reasoning “release of this information could adversely affect the integrity of the tax system”.
People with overdue repayments were sent statements and notices, Inland Revenue said, “including information on the range of possible collection actions”.
“We also increase attempts to contact overseas-based borrowers when we know they are in New Zealand and encourage them to contact us to sort out their student loan debt before they leave.”
More than 77,000 overseas student loan borrowers have overdue repayments. The average amount outstanding is $24,135.
New Zealand-based borrowers are largely salary and wage earners, who have deductions made through PAYE. Only 5 per cent of borrowers in Aotearoa have overdue repayments, compared with 75 per cent of overseas-based borrowers.
Student unions have criticised the border arrest policy as draconian and likely to make overseas Kiwis “student-loan refugees” - unable to return home for weddings, funerals or other important events.
The Green Party is also opposed to the policy, but Labour is happy with it - Education Minister Jan Tinetti confirmed to the Weekend Herald “there are no plans to review the policy, change it or end its use”.
“My officials advise me only a small number of the most non-compliant borrowers are affected by this policy, and it is used as a last resort,” Tinetti said.
“It’s also worth mentioning that hardship provisions are available to those who cannot afford to pay, which means this sanction will only apply to those who could pay but refuse to do so.”
In 2018 Hipkins, then education minister, expressed concerns about the threat of arrest, telling Newshub it “sometimes exacerbates the situation, because it means those people never come home - sometimes you’re better to get them home then into an arrangement where they can start making payments”.
That same year, Labour introduced a flagship policy to pay for the first year of tertiary education. It was to be expanded to cover the first three years, but this was suspended in 2020, largely due to the impact of Covid-19 and the need to reprioritise spending.
Border arrests
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Eleven people have now been arrested at the border because of overdue student loan debt
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2022: 1 arrest
2021: 0 arrests
2020: 2 arrests
2019: 2 arrests
2018: 2 arrests
2017: 1 arrest
2016: 3 arrests
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www.nzherald.co.nz...
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