Somerville, Auckland

1423 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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1421 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.

1422 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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1424 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
1422 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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1422 days ago

September Checklist

Kings Plant Barn Botany

It’s time to spring into action and prepare your perfect veggie garden.
See our September checklist to get started ☀️

*Sow Carrot and Parsnip seeds directly into weed-free beds.
*Sow Tomatoes, Zucchini, Cucumber, Basil, and Capsicum seeds into seedling trays inside.
*Plant grafted … View more
It’s time to spring into action and prepare your perfect veggie garden.
See our September checklist to get started ☀️

*Sow Carrot and Parsnip seeds directly into weed-free beds.
*Sow Tomatoes, Zucchini, Cucumber, Basil, and Capsicum seeds into seedling trays inside.
*Plant grafted Tomato in a sheltered, warm spot such as a greenhouse or in a moveable pot.
*Plant potatoes, but make sure they’re starting to sprout first.
* Prepare new beds and improve your soil by forking the soil and adding Kings Compost, Kings Sheep Pellets and Nature’s Organic Fertiliser.

Find out more information via the link

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1424 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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1423 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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1423 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.

1422 days ago

Botany & Flat Bush & Ormiston Community Networking Meeting

Lindsay Upton from Manukau East Council of Social Services (MECOSS)

Manukau East Council of Social Services (MECOSS), facilitates both the Botany & Flat Bush & Ormiston Community Networking Meetings and the Pakuranga & Howick Community Networking Meetings.
These meetings provide a platform for community stakeholders, government departments, … View more
Manukau East Council of Social Services (MECOSS), facilitates both the Botany & Flat Bush & Ormiston Community Networking Meetings and the Pakuranga & Howick Community Networking Meetings.
These meetings provide a platform for community stakeholders, government departments, non-government organisations, not-for profit community groups and the public to make solid connections, learn from each other, and to share and discuss ideas.
It’s also a forum for community and organisations to voice their opinion and/or raise concerns about what they feel needs addressing.
In turn, MECOSS may act as an advocate for change through Community Networks Aotearoa (CNA); a national organisation, which has strong links to government.
NEXT MEETING
Day & Date: Friday, 25 September 2020
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Venue: Old Flat Bush School hall, Murphy's Road, Flat Bush
Entry: No charge.
All welcome. Light refreshments available
To book a speaking spots please email lindsay.upton@mecoss.org.nz

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1422 days ago

Aged-Care Community Networking Meeting

Lindsay Upton from Manukau East Council of Social Services (MECOSS)

This event has been organised to provide information and networking opportunities to people and organisations who interact and work with our senior community.
Venue: Te Tuhi, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga
Day & Date: Tuesday, 24 November 2020
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Entry: Free to attend
View more
This event has been organised to provide information and networking opportunities to people and organisations who interact and work with our senior community.
Venue: Te Tuhi, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga
Day & Date: Tuesday, 24 November 2020
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Entry: Free to attend
Refreshments: Tea and coffee available
For more information or to book a speaking spot please email lindsay.upton@mecoss.org.nz
Hosted by MECOSS

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1422 days ago

Dance Yourself Happy

Lindsay Upton from Manukau East Council of Social Services (MECOSS)

While 'Dance Yourself Happy' is in limbo waiting for COVID-19 Alert Level restrictions to ease, we're making it easy for you to keep dancing at home.
MECOSS is pleased to announce 'Dance Yourself Happy' will stream a non-stop mix of Mari Pettersson's 80s-to-now … View more
While 'Dance Yourself Happy' is in limbo waiting for COVID-19 Alert Level restrictions to ease, we're making it easy for you to keep dancing at home.
MECOSS is pleased to announce 'Dance Yourself Happy' will stream a non-stop mix of Mari Pettersson's 80s-to-now electronica and dance hits music from 8:00pm this Thursday (10 September), on pop-up station Radio Schmadio.
So wherever you are in the world, tune in and join in the dancing with us.
To download the FREE Radio Schmadio app from Apple Store or Google, go to onelink.to...
A big thumbs-up goes to Auckland's EAST FM 88.1 107.1 for their expertise and support in making this happen.

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1422 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.

1423 days ago

Your thoughts on making Matariki a public holiday

The Team Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

Labour will make Matariki New Zealand's 12th public holiday from 2022 if re-elected, Jacinda Ardern has announced.

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.… View more
Hi neighbours,

Labour will make Matariki New Zealand's 12th public holiday from 2022 if re-elected, Jacinda Ardern has announced.

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 Matariki, which acts as the Māori New Year, to be recognised.

We want to hear your thoughts about Matariki becoming a public holiday. Do you support the idea, or are you against it? Perhaps you have a counter proposal.

Share your thoughts here.

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1423 days ago

Auckland Zoo staff hand-rear tamarins after mum was unable to produce milk

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

Hi neighbours,

Twin tamarins are thriving at Auckland Zoo after their mum was unable to produce milk, leading to them being hand-reared.

The rare golden lion tamarins, a male and a female, were born to mum Frida on July 17.

Frida was unable to produce milk for her babies, meaning … View more
Hi neighbours,

Twin tamarins are thriving at Auckland Zoo after their mum was unable to produce milk, leading to them being hand-reared.

The rare golden lion tamarins, a male and a female, were born to mum Frida on July 17.

Frida was unable to produce milk for her babies, meaning zookeepers had to make the decision, when they were two days old, to hand-rear them instead.

Auckland Zoo primate team leader Amy Robbins said the possibility of needing to hand-rear was already on the table because of Frida’s difficulty in raising offspring in the past.

“Hand-rearing is never a decision we make lightly and there are always risks, but we had strong science-based evidence to inform this call and the full support of this programme’s species coordinator,” Robbins said.

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