Otara, Auckland

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1527 days ago

Auckland NCEA students get extra bonus credits due to second lockdown

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

Senior students in Auckland will be able to get bonus NCEA credits and enrol in summer school after the second Covid-19 lockdown disrupted their learning.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced a raft of temporary changes to NCEA for Auckland students, who have missed an extra two a half … View more
Senior students in Auckland will be able to get bonus NCEA credits and enrol in summer school after the second Covid-19 lockdown disrupted their learning.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced a raft of temporary changes to NCEA for Auckland students, who have missed an extra two a half weeks of school compared to pupils in the rest of the country.

The changes build on the system of bonus credits previously announced for all students.

Auckland teenagers will now earn one bonus credit for every four credits they achieve, up to a maximum of 16 bonus credits at level 1, and 12 at levels 2 and 3.

In the rest of the country, students will get one credit for every five they earn, up to a maximum of 10 and eight.

Four thousand students will now be able to enrol in summer school through Te Kura Correspondence School. There is normally a cap of 1000 students.

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1525 days ago

Cockroach infestation and rotten meat result in fine for Otahuhu food business

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

Hi neighbours,

Boxes of rotten chicken, a cockroach infestation and an unclean shop has resulted in a $45,000 fine for an Auckland food retailer.

U & S Chand Investments, which operates Food 4 Less in Ōtāhuhu, was prosecuted by Auckland Council and pleaded guilty to failing to comply … View more
Hi neighbours,

Boxes of rotten chicken, a cockroach infestation and an unclean shop has resulted in a $45,000 fine for an Auckland food retailer.

U & S Chand Investments, which operates Food 4 Less in Ōtāhuhu, was prosecuted by Auckland Council and pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the Food Act in the Manukau District Court in 2019.

A recently released decision from December said Auckland Council food safety officers first visited the supermarket on March 9, 2018 after receiving a complaint from a customer about unhygienic food storage conditions for meat.

During the inspection, the officers found the premises unclean, a heavy cockroach infestation, boxes of rotten chicken and meat, a “strong foul smell” from the boxes and unlabelled and uncovered food products.

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1525 days ago

Keep Safe Stay Protected

Moveen from Goodwood Heights

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Save money and keep safe with our exclusive deals

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1525 days ago

Love daffodils? Find your favourite variety here

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

There are literally thousands of daffodils here, where Ian Riddell has spent over 25 years in the business, from preparing the soil and planting bulbs to harvesting flowers and selling them.

1525 days ago

Free moving boxes

Ieveen from Flat Bush

Free moving boxes.

Got at least 10.

Pick up on Triumph Road in Flat Bush.

Free

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1525 days ago

Free Thermogard gel ice pack

Ieveen from Flat Bush

Free Thermogard gel ice pack.

We have over 30 packs as shown on the picture. These were from our Hello Fresh food boxes.

Pick up on Triumph Road in Flat Bush.

Free

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1525 days ago

Learn te reo Māori!

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Te Pōkaitahi Reo

Meet Parminder Singh (Punjabi) who shares his journey with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi:

“Studying in the Pōkaitahi Reo programme has allowed me to develop a totally beautiful and unique relationship with Māori communities in Auckland. The learning has helped my … View more
Te Pōkaitahi Reo

Meet Parminder Singh (Punjabi) who shares his journey with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi:

“Studying in the Pōkaitahi Reo programme has allowed me to develop a totally beautiful and unique relationship with Māori communities in Auckland. The learning has helped my work to bridge gaps between Māori and others in our multicultural communities. When I look back, I feel really proud. It’s a great feeling when I speak te reo Māori. It’s a privilege.”

Share in Parminder’s experience and enquire now for 2021. These programmes are tuition fee free!
Find out more

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1528 days ago

Poll: Do you agree Matariki or Māori New Year should be a public holiday?

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

Hi neighbours,

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has announced Labour will make Matariki New Zealand’s twelth public holiday from 2022 if re-elected.

The new winter public holiday would fall at some point during the Matariki period, with an expectation that it would always happen on either a … View more
Hi neighbours,

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has announced Labour will make Matariki New Zealand’s twelth public holiday from 2022 if re-elected.

The new winter public holiday would fall at some point during the Matariki period, with an expectation that it would always happen on either a Monday or a Friday.

The policy announcement follows a series of public campaigns for the Matariki, which acts as the Māori New Year, to be recognised.

The exact timing of Matariki shifts every year as it relates to a star cluster reappearing and has traditionally varied between Iwi.

It would be the first new public holiday since the Third Labour Government made Waitangi Day a public holiday in 1973, although then Prime Minister Norman Kirk called it “New Zealand Day”.

“Matariki will be a distinctly New Zealand holiday and a time for reflection, celebration and to look to the future as we take increasing pride in our unique national identity,” Ardern said.

She said the struggling tourism sector could use the help of another holiday and noted the “long run” with no public holidays that currently happens between Queen’s Birthday in early June and Labour Day in late October.

“We don’t have many statutory holidays compared to other OECD countries and it would be good to break up the long run through winter,” Ardern said.

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Do you agree Matariki or Māori New Year should be a public holiday?
  • 63.8% Yes
    63.8% Complete
  • 36.2% No
    36.2% Complete
1358 votes
1526 days ago

Spring has sprung and we're loving all of the flowers blooming! 🌷

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

As we start tending to our gardens and planning what to grow for the warmer months ahead, perhaps consider if there's something else you should be growing in your community such as stronger connections to your neighbours.

Research shows that loneliness is strongly associated with low mental … View more
As we start tending to our gardens and planning what to grow for the warmer months ahead, perhaps consider if there's something else you should be growing in your community such as stronger connections to your neighbours.

Research shows that loneliness is strongly associated with low mental health + well-being. Whether you have a wide social network or prefer to only have a few close friends, joining Neighbourhood Support is a great way to feel supported and connected to those nearby. You never know when you might need a little help from a local friend!

Join or setup a group for FREE by getting in touch with us here...

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1526 days ago

Poll: Do you support officially assigning the name of Hillpark to a suburb in Manurewa?

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

The New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) is inviting public submissions on officially assigning the locally used name of Hillpark for the suburb in Manurewa, Auckland.

Submissions for and against will be accepted by the NZGB between 9 September and 9 November 2020.

The proposed boundaries for… View more
The New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) is inviting public submissions on officially assigning the locally used name of Hillpark for the suburb in Manurewa, Auckland.

Submissions for and against will be accepted by the NZGB between 9 September and 9 November 2020.

The proposed boundaries for Hillpark generally follow Puhinui Creek to the north, State Highway 1 (Auckland Motorway) to the east, Alfriston Road to the south and Great South Road to the west.

The NZGB considered a Hillpark Residents’ Association proposal to make official the suburb name at its July hui (meeting) this year.

They described its unique natural and heritage characteristics which have helped build a suburban identity and which should be recognised.

The name derives from ‘The Hill’, a homestead build in 1910 and rebuilt in 1925, and in reference to the stands of regenerated native forest that were retained as parks.

Key factors in accepting the proposal included the long-term local use of the name dating back to 1961 when it was first developed, support from Manurewa Local Board, and support from residents including a petition with over 360 signatories and consensus on the proposed suburb boundaries.

The NZGB wants to hear from all who want to have a say about this name proposal, especially from those in the community most affected,” says Wendy Shaw, Secretary of the NZGB.

“We encourage active participation by everyone to help the NZGB make a decision that is right for the community, follows good naming practice, is meaningful and is enduring,” Ms Shaw says.

Further information, including the exact boundaries and how to make a submission can be found at www.linz.govt.nz...

Do you support officially assigning the name of Hillpark to a suburb in Manurewa?
  • 91.7% Yes
    91.7% Complete
  • 8.3% No
    8.3% Complete
12 votes
1526 days ago

COVID-19 pop-up testing sites: Manurewa & Mangere

The Team from Counties Manukau Health

More COVID-19 pop-up testing sites in our rohe whaanau - these two are in Manurewa and Mangere. You get a box of 50 masks when you and your whaanau get tested. You don’t need to have symptoms to be tested, this is open to EVERYONE. It only takes 10 seconds and you’ll receive all the information… View moreMore COVID-19 pop-up testing sites in our rohe whaanau - these two are in Manurewa and Mangere. You get a box of 50 masks when you and your whaanau get tested. You don’t need to have symptoms to be tested, this is open to EVERYONE. It only takes 10 seconds and you’ll receive all the information and support you need.

For more information on all testing sites in Auckland, please visit: arphs.health.nz/covid19test #stopthespread #uniteagainstcovid19

1528 days ago

Driveways driven away by new rule

The Team Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street.

Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near new … View more
Hi neighbours,

A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street.

Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near new housing or business developments, under newly released housing guidelines.

The change comes as the Government looks to encourage development, in part by freeing up land held up by car parks, under its new National Policy Statement for urban development.

Property developer Phil Robinson said scrapping car park rules was a “big change”, but he was unsure if it was a “big win”.

What do you think of having more new builds in your area with fewer driveways and garages?

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1527 days ago

Surge in positive Covid-19 cases returning to NZ from India

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

There's been a surge in the number of people returning to New Zealand from India who have tested positive for Covid-19.

It comes at the same time India has overtaken Brazil to become the second worst-Covid hit country.

In the last fortnight, 26 people have tested positive after returning… View more
There's been a surge in the number of people returning to New Zealand from India who have tested positive for Covid-19.

It comes at the same time India has overtaken Brazil to become the second worst-Covid hit country.

In the last fortnight, 26 people have tested positive after returning from India, 20 of them from one flight alone.

Do you think the government needs to be stricter at the border?

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1527 days ago

Missing French teen Eloi Rolland: Family say they've lost hope six months after disappearance

Caroline Williams Reporter from Auckland Stuff

The family of missing French teenager Eloi Rolland have long held on to hope that one day their son and brother will be found.
But six months on from his disappearance in Auckland, the hope that has kept them strong has dwindled.
The 18-year-old had been studying English and staying with a host … View more
The family of missing French teenager Eloi Rolland have long held on to hope that one day their son and brother will be found.
But six months on from his disappearance in Auckland, the hope that has kept them strong has dwindled.
The 18-year-old had been studying English and staying with a host family in Birkenhead on the North Shore, before he disappeared without explanation on the evening of March 6.
Phone data indicates he was near the intersection of Piha Rd and Scenic Drive about 9.18am on March 7.
Rolland’s sister Aurore told Stuff in July her family were “waiting for a miracle”.
However, after six months of no news, she said last week they had lost hope.
Click below to read our full report.

1526 days ago

See how our Houseplant Hero runnerup Hollie Procter fits all her plants into her tiny home!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

“So I would say it’s possible I might have the most plants per square metre,” she quips.

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