Mount Roskill, Auckland

Recipe: Chocolate Cake

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

This is a simple home-made lockdown, comfort recipe.
Rich in chocolate, moist, fluffy with the perfect amount of sweetness prepared by our Cookery, Advanced student Sam at home during the August Lockdown 2021.

Parts of country to go to Alert Level 3

Neighbourly.co.nz

All regions outside of the Auckland and Northland region will move to Alert Level 3 11.59pm Tuesday August 31.

In a press conference Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed that Auckland and Northland will likely need to complete a further full two weeks at level 4 in order to … View moreAll regions outside of the Auckland and Northland region will move to Alert Level 3 11.59pm Tuesday August 31.

In a press conference Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed that Auckland and Northland will likely need to complete a further full two weeks at level 4 in order to keep the Delta variant from spreading further in the regions.

Here's what you need to know
- There will be regional boundaries, there will be no travel allowed between regions unless required for essential services.
- Boundaries maintained in the last February lockdown will be reinstated.
- Around 500 locations of interest have been identified.
- The exposure site in Warkworth is a large workplace. Ardern hoped the people of Northland will understand why they're moving with caution. Northland won't always be grouped in with Auckland.

To stay up to date with the latest, follow the Stuff blog.

Mysterious musician entertains Mt Eden neighbours with backyard concert

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Central Leader

A mysterious singer has treated his Mt Eden neighbours to a backyard concert.

Locals gathered out onto their balconies on Wednesday afternoon, with some pulling up lawn chairs, to enjoy the music.

“He was singing old school songs, like Elvis. It was pretty good, people were into it,” … View moreA mysterious singer has treated his Mt Eden neighbours to a backyard concert.

Locals gathered out onto their balconies on Wednesday afternoon, with some pulling up lawn chairs, to enjoy the music.

“He was singing old school songs, like Elvis. It was pretty good, people were into it,” Nikolina Ivanovic, who lives adjacent to the musician, said.

“Almost everyone came out onto their decks to watch, it was quite cute.”

The identity of the singer is yet unknown, but he confidently belted out covers into his microphone.

Ivanovic said it left her feeling nice and happy.

“It was good to have something different in my day, rather than just work, so it was a good way to break up the day,” she said.

“He said I’m bored, your bored, let’s bring some happiness into these times.”

Playing up plywood

The Team from Resene ColorShop Mt Roskill

With a few Resene testpots, simple shapes can become fun kid-friendly accessories.

Find out how to create your own.

Lockdown Learning: LCQ

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Lockdown learning: Upskill and gain the LCQ (Sale of Alcohol) Certificate for a special price of $195 via our online interactive delivery.

Gardening live chat on now!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Hello neighbours,

It’s coming up to spring, and with everyone stuck at home in Covid lockdown, what better time to get the garden in order? NZ Gardener editor Jo McCarroll and Jack Hobbs, manager of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, are live on Stuff now to answer all your gardening questions.

Bamboo plant

Kishore from Mount Roskill

Bamboo plant for sell
Please make a reasonable offer.

Negotiable

How many extra Māori seats will Auckland Council get?

Todd Niall Reporter from Community News

Kia ora Neighbours, the government is about to remove a barrier to adding Māori ward seats to Auckland Council. Shoudl it be one seat, or the three recommended by the royal commission on amalgamation? Read the Story below:

Do you have any 'good' Covid stories?

Caroline Williams Reporter from Community News

Kia ora neighbours. I hope you and your whānau are all coping with this lockdown OK.

It can be a bit daunting to read the news during these tough times, so we'd really like your help to spread some joy.

Last time we were in level 4 lockdown, there were some lovely stories of kindness out … View moreKia ora neighbours. I hope you and your whānau are all coping with this lockdown OK.

It can be a bit daunting to read the news during these tough times, so we'd really like your help to spread some joy.

Last time we were in level 4 lockdown, there were some lovely stories of kindness out there - remember the window teddy bears?!

We'd love to hear from you regarding anything you or your neighbours have been doing to help lighten the mood. Let us know in the comments or send me an email at caroline.williams@stuff.co.nz - feel free to include a photo!

Cancer doesn't stop, we won't either.

Cancer Society

COVID-19 has taken away our Daffodil Day Street Appeal.

The demand on our cancer services goes up during lockdown. And that's why we need you now more than ever. $24 helps to provide transport to and from cancer treatment.

Donate now to support the Cancer Society's vital services … View moreCOVID-19 has taken away our Daffodil Day Street Appeal.

The demand on our cancer services goes up during lockdown. And that's why we need you now more than ever. $24 helps to provide transport to and from cancer treatment.

Donate now to support the Cancer Society's vital services to support New Zealanders going through cancer. Learn more

Do you think Waikato River water means Auckland is now sorted?

Todd Niall Reporter from Community News

Kia ora Neighbours, The recent boost of supply from the Waikato River might give the impression that Auckland's water worries are over. Not so. The juggling act with Auckland's supply sources mean rain is still the ultimate answer. Reads the story below:

Recipe: Plain French Omelette

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Our Foundation cookery student Claudia has prepared this plain french omelette with mushrooms at home during August Lockdown 2021.
Escoffier described the omelette as scrambled eggs held together in a coagulated envelope, says Harold McGee in On Food and Cooking.
The moist, silky consistency is … View moreOur Foundation cookery student Claudia has prepared this plain french omelette with mushrooms at home during August Lockdown 2021.
Escoffier described the omelette as scrambled eggs held together in a coagulated envelope, says Harold McGee in On Food and Cooking.
The moist, silky consistency is known as baveuse.
Recipe on our blog.

Last week to nominate!

The Team from New Zealander of the Year Award | Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa

We're in the last week of nominations for the 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. So come on, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland – who’s your New Zealander of the Year?

Tell us with a nomination! Nominations close 31 August.

Get in quick – www.nzawards.org.nz...

The memes and moments getting the nation through the latest lockdown

Caroline Williams Reporter from Community News

Kia ora neighbours. Since New Zealand plunged into lockdown last week, the laughs for Kiwis have been few and far between.

Apart from Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins’ Freudian slip at an afternoon press conference, where he muddled a message about people stretching their legs and … View moreKia ora neighbours. Since New Zealand plunged into lockdown last week, the laughs for Kiwis have been few and far between.

Apart from Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins’ Freudian slip at an afternoon press conference, where he muddled a message about people stretching their legs and instead said “spread your legs”, the mood of the nation has been heavy and serious.

But as you’d expect, a minister uttering “spread your legs” at a high-profile press conference was music to the ears of meme makers.

Some prefer to take their mind off lockdown by trying something new, such as creating mandalas (abstract art) from things found lying around the house or gathered from nature outside.

Others have been finding ways to keep their community entertained during their lockdown strolls around the neighbourhood, including a return of the hugely popular window teddy bears of 2020.

If you're fed up of reading about the negatives of Covid-19, take a read of our story below. We hope it will make you smile. Ngā mihi.

Community offers to claim baby found dead at recycling centre

Melanie Earley Reporter from Central Leader

Kia ora neighbours, an Auckland Councillor and an Onehunga church have offered to claim the baby girl found dead at an Auckland recycling centre, so she can have a proper burial.

The body of the newborn baby girl, born at full term, was found at Visy Recycling, in Onehunga, on August 16 after … View moreKia ora neighbours, an Auckland Councillor and an Onehunga church have offered to claim the baby girl found dead at an Auckland recycling centre, so she can have a proper burial.

The body of the newborn baby girl, born at full term, was found at Visy Recycling, in Onehunga, on August 16 after being brought to the centre in a truckload of waste.

Maungakiekie-Tamaki ward councillor Josephine Bartley said she had emailed police on Monday night stating that if the newborn was left unclaimed, the Onehunga community could claim her.

Read the full story below.