1587 days ago

Mobile shower service for homeless doubles efforts in pandemic

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Auckland Stuff

A free mobile shower and laundry service for homeless people has expanded its efforts in response to rising demand in the pandemic.

Orange Sky launched its second van in Auckland this week.

Operations manager Eddie Uini said the demand for services doubled during the Covid-19 lockdown.

“Before Covid hit our first van was doing nine shifts a week, once we got to level 2 we were doing 17 shifts a week with our first van,” he said.

“That’s pretty much our maximum capacity, and we were still getting emails from places further south, out west and on the North Shore.”

The new van will operate in Manurewa, Papakura, Glen Eden and Auckland CBD.

It will allow Orange Sky to increase its availability from 17 to 25 shifts a week.

Uini said a lot of families have starting using Orange Sky’s services in Manurewa, Papakura and Onehunga.

“If they can save another 20 or 30 dollars at the laundromat, that’s another 20 or 30 dollars for food on the table,” he said.

Orange Sky wants locals to name the new van in honour of a local hero who’s helped make a difference in the community.

Comment below your idea for what the new van should be called.

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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Auckland has a thriving cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures across the country, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.

We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️

We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?

Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.

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Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
  • 42.2% I avoid spending money on coffee
    42.2% Complete
  • 41.4% I still indulge at my local cafe
    41.4% Complete
  • 16.4% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
    16.4% Complete
268 votes
6 days ago

Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?

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Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
  • 76.1% Inside!
    76.1% Complete
  • 23.9% On top!
    23.9% Complete
1067 votes
9 days ago

Got more greens than you know what to do with? 🥦🌱🥕

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Whether it’s a courgette takeover or a feijoa frenzy, don’t let those garden gems go to waste!

Our suggestion to you: Did you know you can grate and freeze excess courgettes to use in chocolate cake later? It sounds a bit dodgy, but it makes the cake incredibly moist ... and hey, it counts as a serving of veg, right? 🍫

What’s your go-to move for a bumper harvest? Drop your best "glut" recipes or preservation hacks in the comments below! 👇

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