1355 days ago

Simple encouragement and positive help from others - key to boosting confidence.

Theresa Vause from English Language Partners Auckland South

Confidence leads to many more things, like jobs!
Second language user Zhixin (Carol) visited our office looking for a class which would fit in with her study with a need to get a job after completing tertiary study. Her written and spoken English was very good but she lacked confidence to believe that she could get a job.

Read what Carol said and how she has succeeded:

“As a second language speaker, I suffer from not being confidant with my English, and this causes nervousness, especially during interviews or other important events. Nervousness decreases my English ability. It creates a bad circle, and eventually I lose confidence and the ability to trust myself.

The interview and discussion with you, was incredibly beneficial- I could not say enough thanks to you to help me find the confidence. I hope other English learners could gain their confidence too.

I did an interview after visiting you and I think I did well during the interview. Now I have obtained a full- time job.”

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area

Ivy from Papatoetoe

Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.

The Manukau Court’s Ruling

The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.

In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.

While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.

As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026

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10 hours ago

Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.

We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.

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🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
  • 82.4% Same!
    82.4% Complete
  • 17.6% Would have liked to try something different
    17.6% Complete
68 votes
3 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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