801 days ago

Recruiting Participants for a Weight Loss and Diabetes Prevention Study

Jia Jiet from Mount Eden

The Human Nutrition Unit (Mt Eden) at the University of Auckland is inviting people at risk of diabetes to participate in an 8-month Weight Loss and Diabetes Prevention Study.

You will be required to:
• Attend 7 study visits at the Human Nutrition Unit, in Mt Eden
• Follow the low energy, Cambridge weight-loss diet for 8 weeks
• Complete a 6-month weight maintenance programme
• Consume feijoa whole fruit powder or placebo matched powder every day for 8 months

What you will receive?
• 2 months’ worth of meal replacements at no cost
• 11 extensive dietary advice sessions with a Registered Dietitian
• Get free body composition scans to understand your body fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral density
• Get to try a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to know what meals raise your blood glucose more than others
• Get to know how much calories your body burn when at rest using an indirect calorimetry
• Your time will be compensated with travel vouchers

Who can participate?
• Have elevated blood glucose but are not diabetic (we can check this for you)
• Are of Māori, Pacific Island, Asian Indian, Asian Chinese or NZ European/Caucasian descent
• Are between 18-70 years
• Have a BMI 25-40 kg/m2
• Are happy to participate in an 8-month weight loss study
• Are happy to consume feijoa whole fruit powder or matched placebo powder every day for eight months
• Are happy for us to provide blood, urine and faecal samples
• Are happy to complete 7 Study Visits to the Human Nutrition Unit

If you would like to learn more about this study, please contact us:


Email: FERDINAND@auckland.ac.nz
Or register here: tinyurl.com...

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17 hours ago

Best way to use leftovers?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

I'm sure you've got some excess ham at home or cold roast potatoes.

What are some of your favourite ways to use leftover food from Christmas day? Share below.

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1 day ago

Merry Christmas from Dazzling Paws Dog Grooming Orakei Bay Village Remuera

Cindy from Dazzling Paws Dog Grooming

From our Dazzling Paws Dog Grooming family to yours, Cindy , Jose & Belladona wish our amazing clients, dedicated supporters & vibrant community a Merry Christmas!

We want to express our special thanks for the beautiful gifts.
Thank you so much Sue, Tania, Annette, Elliot & Rebecca, Dale & Neil, Helen, Jennifer, Carolyn, Linda, Angela, Anne, Amanda, Maria, Rachel, Nicky J., Lauren, Rae & Peter, Robyn, Alex, Nicky J., Di & Grant, Fleur, Kay, Jane, Kathy, Mel, Catherine, and Anna for lovely Christmas gifts for us and for our daughter Belladona, we really appreciate them! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
😀🎄🎊🎉 🎊

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1 day ago

Te Pūrākau o Te Rangatira Ngākau Hūmarie - Day 34

Kiran Reddy from Mount Eden

The Tale of the Humble Leader

In a small Māori village near the coast of Aotearoa, the whānau were preparing for Te Rā o te Kirihimete (Christmas Day). It was a time of celebration, sharing, and remembering the values of aroha (love), manaakitanga (hospitality), and kotahitanga (unity). However, this year, the village faced a challenge. Their rangatira, Wiremu, had grown distant and prideful, burdened by his position.

Wiremu often made decisions alone, thinking that his wisdom and authority were enough to guide the iwi. While the villagers respected him, they felt unheard, and the spirit of unity began to fade.

As the Kirihimete celebrations approached, the kaumātua, Hinewai, decided to intervene. She invited Wiremu to the marae one evening, where she shared a story about Tāwhaki, the demigod who ascended to the heavens not through power, but through humility and service.

“Wiremu,” Hinewai said, “even the greatest leaders are at their strongest when they serve their people. Leadership is not about standing above others but walking beside them.”

Wiremu reflected on her words but was unsure how to change.

The Lesson of the Whetū (Stars)

On Christmas Eve, as the village prepared for their festivities, a fierce storm rolled in from the sea. The winds howled, and the rain poured, threatening to ruin the celebration. The central whare kai (dining hall) began to leak, and the decorations the tamariki had made were soaked. The people gathered anxiously, unsure of how to proceed.

Wiremu stood at the edge of the marae, looking at the chaos. In that moment, Hinewai’s words echoed in his mind: “Even the greatest leaders serve their people.”

Without hesitation, Wiremu took off his korowai (cloak of leadership) and joined the villagers. He grabbed buckets to catch the rain, helped rebuild the decorations, and reassured the tamariki that their work would be restored. His humility inspired others, and soon the entire iwi was working together, laughing and singing as they prepared the whare for the celebration.

A Kirihimete Under the Stars

When the storm cleared, the sky was filled with bright whetū (stars). The villagers gathered around a glowing fire outside the whare, sharing kai and stories of gratitude. Wiremu stood among them, no longer as a distant rangatira, but as a friend and servant of his people.

Under the starlit sky, Hinewai stood and addressed the iwi.

“This Kirihimete, we are reminded that true leadership is like the brightest whetū. It does not shine to outdo others but guides them through darkness. Wiremu has shown us the power of humility, and through his service, we have rediscovered our unity.”

Wiremu bowed his head humbly. “Tonight, you have all taught me that a leader is nothing without their people. Let us carry this spirit of kotahitanga and aroha into the new year.”

The villagers cheered, and the spirit of Te Rā o te Kirihimete shone brightly in their hearts.

Moral of the Story:

Leadership is not about authority or pride but about humility and service. Like the whetū that guide travelers, a true leader walks alongside their people, bringing light and unity through service and aroha. At Christmas, we are reminded of the importance of giving, humility, and leading with love.