Point Chevalier, Auckland

Maungarei/Mt Wellington fire caused by fireworks

Caroline Williams Reporter from Central Leader

Hi neighbours, a large fire on Maungarei seen from across the city on Tuesday night was "very likely" caused by fireworks, Fire and Emergency NZ said, adding that a group of about eight people had been seen acting suspicious in the area prior to the fire. The Tūpuna Maunga Authority is … View moreHi neighbours, a large fire on Maungarei seen from across the city on Tuesday night was "very likely" caused by fireworks, Fire and Emergency NZ said, adding that a group of about eight people had been seen acting suspicious in the area prior to the fire. The Tūpuna Maunga Authority is now calling for a total ban on the private sale of fireworks, given it has only been six months since Guy Fawkes night fireworks caused fires on Maungarei and Maungawhau/Mt Eden.
"Only a national ban on the sale of fireworks will prevent them being in the hands of people who continue to put the public and our ancestral heritage at risk," authority chair Paul Majurey said.

Coronavirus: 'Disaster tourists' booking night away from home during lockdown

Josephine Franks Reporter from Central Leader

Have you been using Zoom during the lockdown? You'll want to read this

Brittany Keogh Reporter from Central Leader

Hi neighbours, Are you using Zoom or other video conferencing software during the lockdown? Unfortunately, there have been several hacking incidents reported where trolls have joined strangers' Zoom meetings and streamed porn to the group or created other havoc. Luckily, you can change your … View moreHi neighbours, Are you using Zoom or other video conferencing software during the lockdown? Unfortunately, there have been several hacking incidents reported where trolls have joined strangers' Zoom meetings and streamed porn to the group or created other havoc. Luckily, you can change your settings to prevent this from happening. Here's some more information about some of the risks of Zoom and other video calling software and a quick guide on how to change your settings to prevent hacks.

Small businesses in your community need a hand!

SOS Business

Hi neighbours! SOS Business was set up to help local businesses in your community. It means you can buy gift cards from your favourite cafés, restaurants and service providers and then redeem them when they re-open after lockdown.

You can play a special part helping small businesses stay … View moreHi neighbours! SOS Business was set up to help local businesses in your community. It means you can buy gift cards from your favourite cafés, restaurants and service providers and then redeem them when they re-open after lockdown.

You can play a special part helping small businesses stay afloat during this time. Spread the word to your friends and family so that we can help as many local businesses as we can.

Thanks for being a great neighbour by being a lifeline for businesses in your community.

PS - in case you were wondering, due to the success of SOS Café, and the number of other service businesses now on the Platform, the team have rebranded to SOS Business – Save Our Small Business! Support a local business

Coronavirus: Kiwis stranded on Coral Princess cruise ship about to head home

Catrin Owen Reporter from Central Leader

Making the most of your Easter staycation

The Team from Auckland Council

There are plenty of things you and your family can do this Easter weekend, with the majority done from the comfort of your home.

Young Labour camp assault: Man loses bid to keep name secret

Catrin Owen Reporter from Central Leader

A 22-year-old man who admitted assaulting two young men at a Young Labour summer camp has lost his b…

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Auckland architecture wows

Colleen Hawkes Reporter from Homed

Here are some highlights from the shortlist for the Auckland Architecture Awards 2020. We have a particular soft spot for the tiny Point Wells Cricket Club by Pac Studio! And this new build in Remuera, Auckland.

Group Architects house in Devonport sold

Colleen Hawkes Reporter from Homed

The same family has lived in this 1960s house designed by Group Architect Ivan Juriss since it was built. Now they are handing on the baton to a new family who will move in after the lockdown.

Meet Fonzie, the Cockatoo who spent 20 hours upside-down

Todd Niall Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Hi Neighbours, He's famous on Instagram, but Fonzie the Cockatoo has a new claim to fame, after getting such a fright he landed on a powerline, giving his owner a 20-hour ordeal while he hung upside down. Read the happy ending :

Easter COVID-19 Update - Melissa Lee MP

Melissa Lee MP

Although my Parliamentary offices are closed during the lockdown my teams in Auckland and Wellington are happy to help if you need assistance during the weeks ahead, please get in touch with me at:

Melissa.lee@parliament.govt.nz or by phone on either 04 817 6636 (WGTN) or at 09 815 0278.

Best… View moreAlthough my Parliamentary offices are closed during the lockdown my teams in Auckland and Wellington are happy to help if you need assistance during the weeks ahead, please get in touch with me at:

Melissa.lee@parliament.govt.nz or by phone on either 04 817 6636 (WGTN) or at 09 815 0278.

Best wishes for a lovely Easter with your bubble!

Melissa Lee MP
National List MP based in Mt Albert Find out more

Auckland man sought in relation to thefts from vehicles of doctors and nurses

Kendall Hutt Reporter from Central Leader

Nurses and doctors are the main victims of thefts from cars at two Auckland hospitals. Police want …

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Join us for lunch and some new ideas

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

Hey neighbours, it was great to see so many of you at our live lunch with NZ Home and Garden and NZ Gardener editors Naomi Larkin and Jo McCarroll. Thanks for stopping by :)

If you missed it, you can still drop in for a recap and see if Jo and Naomi answered your questions, here.

Man sought in relation to serious assaults at Auckland's Six60 concert

Danielle Clent Reporter from Central Leader

Two young people received significant injuries at an Auckland Six60 concert in February. Now, polic…

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25 years evolves into Remote Covid learning

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

We were lucky!

Over the weekend of 14/15 March, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary at NZSFW and 10 days later, New Zealand ground to a halt in the Covid19 Lockdown.

And while our day to day life has dramatically changed, looking at all these photos gives me a lot of pleasure and especially to be… View moreWe were lucky!

Over the weekend of 14/15 March, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary at NZSFW and 10 days later, New Zealand ground to a halt in the Covid19 Lockdown.

And while our day to day life has dramatically changed, looking at all these photos gives me a lot of pleasure and especially to be able to share in the achievements of our current students and graduates. The highlight has to be the magnificent dinner; an inspired menu created by our gifted chef, Finn Gybel and prepared under his watchful eye by the cookery students.

Fortuitously, the lamb arrived fresh from Pigeon Bay via Harris Meats in North Canterbury and after a number of dramas leaving us worried that it would in time. Finn's dish, where he wrapped the lamb in crepinette, to hold it together while cooking, was certainly a new technique that we had not used in the past.

It was a thrill to have veteran broadcaster, Carol Hirschfeld as MC for the dinner and lend her distinctive and thoughtful commentary to our story. Carol asked me who she could "interview" during the dinner. Victoria Biddick, our first enrolled student from 1995, Oliver Hay and Joelle Thomson all shared their unique perspective on their association with the school.

There is certainly some irony in the fact that as we were celebrating these 25 years, another significant challenge was about to explode. Drawing on my earthquake experience, where we relocated our students to my second business at the Duvauchelle Store and Café, I knew that we had to find a way to keep going.

As the Covid19 crisis escalated, I discussed with our tutors how we could teach the programmes online and with the cookery students cooking in their own kitchens at home. Again, I was fortunate that my son Oliver, computer systems engineer, and recently returned from his super yacht chef sojourn, decided that he wanted to work full-time at NZSFW. Oli then set about finding the best platform for the tutors to stream their classes live and to administer the programmes. We have used Google Classroom and the Hangouts conferencing software to do this and it's working well.

By Friday 20 March, we had amended our cookery timetables to focus on baking, pasta and dishes that were easier to prepare at home. The students then went home with a 5kg bag of flour, 2 kg sugar, 1kg butter, 12 eggs and other ingredients. We trialled the video streaming from NZSFW while we could and then following the lockdown, the tutors now continue from their homes. The logistics are much easier for Franck with his hospitality students!

For the cookery students, the model is they watch the demonstrations at home and later upload photographs of their cooking. It's not ideal, as the tutor cannot taste their food and sometimes the livestream is pixellated or cuts out but it's better that doing nothing. Plus, everyone gets to chat and socialise from the safety of their bubble. And with supermarkets open, we can continue to buy supplies. View Foundation cooking shots here. And Advanced Cooking here.

Stay safe and have fun,
Celia Hay